On the anniversary of his passing (August 9, 2022), I remember a true titan and the original Godfather of Grappling: "Judo" Gene LeBell.
Before modern MMA was even a concept, "Judo" Gene LeBell was already breaking the mold.
Known as the Godfather of Grappling, Gene was a 2x National Judo Champion, catch wrestler, and Hollywood stunt icon who famously proved the lethality of submission wrestling in 1963 by winning one of the very first televised mixed-style fights in modern history.
He passed his knowledge down to legends like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Gokor Chivichyan, and Ronda Rousey—forever changing how the world understands combat sports.
I’m proud to trace my own martial arts lineage back to Gene LeBell's foundation.
Training in a system rooted in his pioneering spirit is a daily reminder of what martial arts is truly about: stay adaptable, master every phase from standing takedowns to ground control, and never stop evolving.
Honor the roots, build the game. 🥋
#GeneLeBell #MartialArtsLineage #Grappling #Judo #BJJ #CatchWrestling #CombatSports #MMA
