If you've researched jiu jitsu academies in your area, you've likely come across the name "10th Planet." But what does that actually mean, and how is it different from traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Here's a clear introduction for beginners.
Who Is Eddie Bravo?
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu was founded in 2003 by Eddie Bravo, a black belt under BJJ legend Jean Jacques Machado, after Bravo became known for submitting a UFC champion using an unconventional leg-lock technique. Frustrated with what he saw as a slow pace of innovation in traditional BJJ, Bravo set out to build a system from scratch that was specifically optimized for no-gi grappling — rather than adapting techniques originally designed around grabbing a gi.
What Makes It Different From Traditional BJJ?
The core distinction is that 10th Planet is built no-gi from the ground up, rather than being traditional gi jiu jitsu with the gi removed. Traditional BJJ techniques often rely on grips that simply don't exist without fabric to grab. The 10th Planet system instead builds its entire technical framework — guards, sweeps, submissions — around what's actually available when you're training in a rash guard and shorts.
Signature Positions and Concepts
- Rubber Guard: A flexible, hip-based guard system using a practitioner's own leg flexibility for control — one of the system's most recognizable contributions to modern grappling
- Twister: A unique spinal submission that became one of the most iconic techniques associated with the system
- Heavy emphasis on leg locks: 10th Planet helped popularize modern leg lock systems years before they became widely adopted across the broader grappling world
- A focus on transitions over static positions: the system emphasizes constant motion and chaining attacks together rather than settling into a single dominant position
Why It Matters for Beginners
For someone brand new to jiu jitsu, training in a system that's no-gi from day one means there's no awkward translation process later — every technique you learn is immediately applicable to the way you're actually training. The system also has a reputation for being creative and athletic, which tends to appeal to students coming from wrestling, MMA, or general athletic backgrounds, though it's just as accessible for complete beginners with zero combat sports experience.
A Global Network With Strong Local Roots
10th Planet has grown into one of the largest jiu jitsu organizations in the world, with academies across the globe — but the quality of instruction still comes down to the specific coaches at your local academy. At 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Murrieta, head instructor Andrew Murillo is a black belt trained directly under Eddie Bravo, bringing authentic 10th Planet instruction to Southwest Riverside County since 2017.
Experience the System Yourself
The best way to understand what makes 10th Planet different is to actually train in it. Your first class at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Murrieta is completely free — come experience Eddie Bravo's system firsthand from instructors trained directly in his lineage.