A new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio, Ludus, is set to open next month in the newly renovated Palisades Village, marking a full-circle moment for the affluent Los Angeles community and the martial art itself. The studio is the brainchild of Justin Caruso, son of real estate developer Rick Caruso.
Ludus will occupy the space formerly held by Pearl Dragon, a popular sushi restaurant. Its arrival in the luxury shopping center, which houses high-end retailers, signifies a shift from the martial art's more rugged origins. For local enthusiasts, the opening connects to the area's historical role in the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a discipline that significantly contributed to the development of the multi-billion dollar mixed martial arts industry.
Peter Maguire, a writer and filmmaker who grew up in the area and holds a black belt from legendary martial artist Rickson Gracie, recalled the early days of Jiu-Jitsu in Southern California. Gracie, instrumental in popularizing the sport, opened a studio in the Palisades in the early 1990s, sharing space with a Taekwondo instructor. These early academies, often held in converted garages, were known for intense training and attracted tough individuals. Maguire, who co-wrote two of Gracie's memoirs, described these schools as serious training grounds for fighters.
The period was characterized by the "Gracie Challenge," an open invitation for practitioners of other martial arts to test their skills against the Gracie family's style. According to Maguire, these challenges were typically held in informal settings and the Gracie style remained undefeated.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has since transitioned into the mainstream, with an estimated industry value of $3 billion and thousands of studios across the United States. Notable Hollywood figures, including Keanu Reeves, Tom Hardy, Jason Statham, Henry Cavill, and Ashton Kutcher, are known practitioners. Modern studios like Ludus are often more upscale, offering a range of classes beyond traditional Jiu-Jitsu to appeal to a broader demographic, including women and children.
However, this mainstreaming has drawn criticism from some long-time practitioners like Maguire, who feel the sport has lost some of its original grit. He contrasts the current environment with the earlier days, noting that figures like Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner now train in Jiu-Jitsu.
The Palisades Village itself is undergoing a reopening after being impacted by fires. The arrival of Ludus is seen by some as a way to carry on a tradition of athleticism and toughness that has historically been part of the Palisades' identity, even as the neighborhood rebuilds.