Luta Livre

Luta Livre

Focus	Hybrid: Grappling (esportiva) Ground Striking (combate)
Country of origin	Brazil
Creator	Euclydes Hatem
Famous practitioners	Alexandre Ferreira Alexandre Franca Nogueira Andreas Andyconda Schmidt Darren Till Eugenio Tadeu Gesias Cavalcante Glover Teixeira Hugo Duarte Johil de Oliveira José Aldo Marco Ruas Micael Galvâo Milton Vieira Murilo Bustamante Pedro Rizzo Renato Sobral Rousimar Palhares Terry Etim Vicente Luque
Parenthood	Greco-Roman Wrestling, Catch Wrestling, Kosen Judo, Kodokan Judo
Descendant arts	Vale Tudo, Mixed Martial Arts
Olympic sport	No

Luta Livre (Portuguese: [ˈlutɐ ˈlivɾi], lit. freestyle fighting), known in Brazil as Luta Livre Brasileira (lit. Brazilian freestyle fighting) or Luta Livre Submission,^[1] and also Brazilian Submission Wrestling, is a Brazilian martial arts and combat sport created by Euclydes Hatem^[2][3][4][5] in Rio de Janeiro. Primarily a mixture of catch wrestling and kosen judo, there is also ground striking with the hands, feet, knees and elbows. Notable practitioners include Marco Ruas, Ebenezer Fontes Braga, Johil de Oliveira, Alexandre Franca Nogueira, Renato Sobral, Gesias Cavalcante, Pedro Rizzo, Darren Till and José Aldo.

There are two styles: esportiva ("sporting") and combate ("ground strikes"); both styles are no-gi. In esportiva competitions, grappling techniques are the only techniques allowed to subdue the opponent. Another style developed later is called "Luta Livre Vale Tudo", which is similar to the modern MMA style which allows both standing and ground strikes and submissions.^[6] Consequently, it is important to calmly strategize and execute moves with the aim to force the opponent to submit via armlock, leglock, choke or necklock, or to win by points (i.e. takedowns, domination position).^[2] Punches, kicks and other "hard" techniques are not allowed as this is considered more a sport than actual combat. Combate, on the other hand, includes striking techniques on the ground; palm strikes and kicks are allowed, but the ground fight and submissions are still the largest elements. This is also the form used in MMA-style fights.