Luta Livre, which means, “free fighting,” is said to be a cross between catch wrestling and judo. Luta Livre however is a complete grappling system. Taught in Luta Livre are submission holds commonly practiced in BJJ schools such as armbars, kimuras, chokes, and guard passing techniques. The distinct difference is a large part of the techniques are banned from most IBJJ and BJJ grappling schools a
nd competitions such as neck cranks, leg locks, and a variety of pain holds. The standup component of Luta Livre, which includes punching and kicking as well as elbow and knee strikes, was developed to complete the art. Luta Livre also differs in strategy, techniques, tradition, and rules. Unlike bjj, Luta Livre fighters do not put themselves on their backs. Luta Livre practioners are taught the “top game” like most wrestlers. Unlike bjj if you pull guard, you lose one point. Luta Livre teaches fighters to achieve a takedown, positional control, and submission. To the untrained athlete one would say some Luta Livre techniques have the same characteristics of Brazilian no-gi jiu-jitsu. Luta Livre was founded by Euclydes “Tatu” Hatem, a Brazilian wrestler and who gained notoriety in Vale Tudo matches in the mid-20th century. Tatu’s fame grew after his submission victory over George Gracie, brother of BJJ pioneers Helio and Carlos Gracie. A rivalry between Luta Livre and BJJ soon followed that resulted in numerous fights between champions of the two arts. Luta Livre practioners do not train with a gi, such as the gi worn in bjj and judo. The absence of the gi allows for an easier transition to MMA. Famous fighters that have flown the Luta Livre banner include former Shooto Lightweight Champion Alexandre Franca “Pequeno” Nogueira, UFC and Pride veteran Milton Vieira, UFC 7 Champion Marco Ruas, Ruas’ protégé Hugo Duarte, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral. Newer talents include Glaico Franca, the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4
I, Aurelio DeLaRosa, am the owner and head coach of the DeLaRosa Submission Wrestling Academy an Affiliate school of the ILLO / ELLO teach the Andyconda Luta Livre since April 2011. Luta Livre was brought to Germany in 1995 by Professor Daniel D’ Dane who is considered one of today’s top authorities in Luta Livre. He became the Mentor and Coach of Andreas "Andyconda" Schmidt. Andreas is responsible for promoting Luta Livre in Europe.
