The foundation of Judo
Judo was created in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō as an eclectic martial art, distinguishing itself from its predecessors jujutsu due to an emphasis on "randori" (free sparring) instead of "kata" (pre-arranged forms) alongside its removal of striking and weapon training elements.
Judo rose to prominence for its dominance over established jujutsu schools in tournaments hosted by the Tokyo Police Department, resulting in its adoption as the department's primary martial art.
Kano's vision for judo was one of a martial way that could be practiced realistically. Randori was a central part of judo competition a crucial test of a judoka's understanding of judo.
Various throwing techniques that were judged to be too dangerous to practice safely at full force, such as all joint-locking throws from Jujutsu, were also prohibited in competition. To maximise safety in nage waza (throwing techniques), Players trained in ukemi (break falls) and practiced on tatami (rice straw mats).
The foundation of Respect Judo
Respect Judo burst onto the scene in 2018, thanks to the passion of Adrian Harding, who brought joy of judo to schools and the Ingleton community! During this exciting time, he also played a key role at the historic Darlington Koizumi Judo Club, established in 1970. Now, as Adrian enjoys his well-deserved retirement, the spirit of judo continues to thrive! 2021, following the challenges of Covid and the heartfelt loss of our beloved coach Ian Raine, the torch was passed to our dedicated new coaches—Max, Richard, and Chris—alongside our amazing welfare officers, Rachel and Bex, ensuring the club’s vibrant legacy lives on! 2022 saw Adrian lending his expertise to Richard as they launched a new Judo Club in Bishop Auckland, adding to the excitement! And in early 2023, with news of Adrian's move from the area, Richard stepped up to keep the Respect Judo dream alive. With a visionary 10-year plan, he proposed merging our three venues under one banner, committed to making our volunteer-based clubs as efficient and professional as possible while delivering exceptional judo classes to everyone!
Respect Judos Ties to the Past
Koizumi Judo Club, founded 1970 by the passionate Alan Dodds, proudly carries the namesake of the legendary Gunji Koizumi! Known fondly as G.K.
Koizumi a trailblazer who brought the art of judo to the UK and earned the title 'Father of British Judo.' As the founder of the Budokwai and a key player in establishing the British Judo and European Judo Union, he left an indeniable mark on the martial arts world. If you have any connections Alan Dodds or stories from the early days of Koizumi Judo Club, we’d love to hear from you as we celebrate and uncover our rich history!
How Judo has spread
In 1889, Kano took Europe by storm, introducing the world to judo beyond Japan! One legendary aboard his ship showcased his incredible spirit: when a foreigner mocked him, Kano swiftly threw him down—yet, with a compassionate twist, he gently cradled the man's head to prevent any harm. This exemplified how judo masterfully blends effective fighting techniques with kindness towards opponents. With an unwavering vision, Jigoro served on the International Olympic Committee and passionately championed the spread of judo worldwide. His dream of "internationalizing judo" became reality at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where men's judo made its official debut, featuring thrilling bouts by weight class. Japanese athletes dominated the competition, except for the open division, which saw a brave-Japanese champion rise to glory! Women's judo also made waves, appearing as a event at the 1988 Seoul and later becoming an official part of the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Judo has captured hearts in 204 countries and regions under the International Judo Federation, with its popularity soaring in Europe—surprisingly, France boasts more judo practitioners than Japan itself!
Judo within mixed martial arts
🥋 Judo’s Effectiveness in MMA
Judo has carved out a unique niche in mixed martial arts (MMA), offering a toolkit of throws, trips, clinch control, and submissions that can dramatically shift the momentum of a fight. While it’s not as dominant a base as wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu in modern MMA, its strategic value is undeniable—especially in close-quarters exchanges and cage work.
💥 Why Judo Works in MMA
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Clinch Dominance: Judo excels in controlling opponents in the clinch, using leverage and balance to execute throws like Osoto Gari, Uchi Mata, and Harai Goshi.
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Unpredictable Takedowns: Unlike wrestling’s double-leg or single-leg takedowns, judo throws often come from angles that catch opponents off guard.
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Cage Utilization: Fighters can use the cage to trap opponents and execute trips or hip throws with devastating effect.
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Submission Transitions: Judo’s groundwork (ne-waza) includes pins and submissions like armbars (juji-gatame) and shoulder locks (ude-garami), which transition well into MMA grappling.
However, judo’s reliance on the gi in traditional training means fighters must adapt grips and techniques for no-gi scenarios.
👊 2025 UFC Fighters with Judo Backgrounds
These athletes have successfully integrated judo into their MMA arsenals:
Fighter Notable Achievements Judo Credentials
Merab Dvalishvili UFC Bantamweight Champion Black belt in judo; holds UFC record for most takedowns
Valentina Shevchenko Former UFC Flyweight Champion Black belt in judo; Kyrgyzstan national champion
Kayla Harrison Two-time Olympic gold medallist One of the most decorated judokas in MMA
Brunno Ferreira UFC Middleweight prospect Known for explosive judo-based takedowns
Abdul Razak Alhassan UFC Welterweight Nicknamed “Judo Thunder”; black belt in judo
🏆 Past UFC Fighters with Judo Backgrounds These legends helped showcase judo’s potential in MMA:
Fighter Legacy Highlights Judo Credentials
Ronda Rousey First UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion 6th dan black belt; Olympic bronze medalist
Karo Parisyan UFC veteran; wins over Nick Diaz & Matt Serra Black belt; Jr national champion
Dong Hyun Kim Wins over Nate Diaz & Matt Brown 4th dan black belt; master of judo throws
Yoshihiro Akiyama UFC & ONE Championship veteran Gold medals in Asian Games; 3rd dan black belt
Hector Lombard UFC & Bellator veteran 4th dan black belt; Cuban national team member
Daniel Kelly UFC middleweight 4th dan black belt; represented Australia in 4 Olympics
Manny Gamburyan UFC & WEC veteran 2nd dan black belt; national judo champion
⚖️ Final Thoughts Judo may not be the most common base in MMA, but when adapted properly, it’s a powerful weapon. Fighters with judo backgrounds often bring a unique rhythm and unpredictability to the cage—turning clinches into highlight-reel throws and submissions.
"Judo is like different level. If I have chance to take like Judo Olympic gold medal or Freestyle wrestling, of course Judo."
khabib nurmagomedev
UFC 29 wins 0 losses, retired undefeated.
Judo for self defence
Judo is an incredible martial art, renowned for its effectiveness in self-defense! It empowers you to harness your opponent's strength against them, making it a fantastic option for individuals of all sizes and abilities. Plus, Judo is an exhilarating way to boost your physical fitness, coordination, and overall well-being! The benefits of learning Judo extend far beyond physical prowess. It provides an electrifying workout that enhances your strength, endurance, and flexibility while teaching you to control opponents with clever leverage and technique instead of just brute force. Mentally, Judo sharpens your focus, discipline, and confidence, giving you a powerful edge! One of the most exciting advantages of mastering Judo for self is the practical techniques you'll learn, which are incredibly effective in real-life situations. With a focus on throws, takedowns, and submissions, you'll gain invaluable skills for your safety. And don't forget the thrill of sparring and competition, which will boost your confidence and readiness to face any challenge that comes your way!
Sports Judo basic rules
While there is a deep tradition of Eastern philosophy underpinning the martial art, as a competitive sport the aim is simply to beat your opponent, albeit with honour and grace. To win a bout a player must score more points than their opponent, with points being awarded for throws or holds, and penalties being given for various infringements.
There are two types of score an athletes can achieve in a judo match. Ippon is the best in that it results in immediate victory and can be achieved by throwing an opponent in such a way as to make then land on their back. Alternative methods of scoring ippon include trapping an opponent in an armlock or stranglehold to the extent that it forces them to submit or pinning an opponent on the floor for 20 seconds.
The next best score is a waza-ari, which is a half point in that the award of two waza-ari in a bout is the same as ippon, and hence the winner is declared. Waza-ari is awarded for lesser throws than those scoring ippon, and for pinning the opponent for 10 seconds.
Respect Judos future
Respect Judo has established clear and ambitious goals for both the short and long term. In line with Jigoro Kano's ethos, we are committed to ensuring that the benefits of judo are accessible to everyone, of background or financial means. In the coming years, we will develop players to a level where they can not only enhance their own judo skills but also empower others to grow. Our objective to train more coaches and expand our venues into surrounding towns and villages firmly positioning judo back on the map.
