You already know Conor McGregor trains. You probably know Joe Rogan won't stop talking about it. But the list of famous people quietly obsessed with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu goes a lot further than the obvious names.

Some of them have competed. Some have been training for decades. A few have even earned their black belts. And honestly, their reasons for starting sound a lot like yours might.

Tom Hardy - Brown Belt

If there's one celebrity who's fully committed to BJJ, it's Tom Hardy.

He started training back in 2011 while preparing for his role in Warrior, but what began as prep for a film became a genuine passion. Hardy trained at Reorg gym in London and has competed in local tournaments across the UK, winning multiple gold medals and racking up submission finishes - competing just like any other club member, no fanfare, no special treatment.

In June 2023 he was promoted to purple belt under Tomasz Rydzewski, a Roger Gracie black belt. Then in February 2026, he earned his brown belt under Tom DeBlass. He has trained with some of the best in the world, including Renzo Gracie, Roger Gracie, and John Danaher.

For Hardy, it's not about the spotlight. He's called it "a hobby and a private love." The fact he keeps showing up to local competitions in the masters division says it all.

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Tinie Tempah - Blue Belt (Competition Gold Medallist)

This one is particularly close to home.

Tinie Tempah, one of Britain's most successful rappers, trains at ARMA. He's a regular at comp classes, and after training he tends to make the most of the sauna, grab a shake from the cafe, and head off. No entourage, no fuss - just another member putting the work in.

He's also gotten his kids into BJJ, which says a lot about how much the sport means to him beyond just showing up himself.

That's the thing about jiu jitsu. Once it gets you, it tends to get your whole family too.

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Guy Ritchie - Black Belt

The director behind Lock, Stock, Snatch, and Sherlock Holmes has been training since the early 2000s and earned his black belt in 2015 under Renzo Gracie.

Ritchie started his journey after watching a Helio Gracie documentary. He trained first with Mauricio Gomes, then with Roger Gracie in London, before making the move to New York and training under Renzo. By all accounts from people who've rolled with him, he's the real deal. Not a hobby black belt, but a proper grappler who takes it seriously. He reportedly trains with his film crews too, which is a very Guy Ritchie thing to do.

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Jason Statham - Purple Belt

It's not a huge surprise that Jason Statham trains martial arts. But what many people don't know is that he trains BJJ specifically, and has done for years.

He started through his friendship with Guy Ritchie and has trained at the Roger Gracie Academy, working with Mauricio Gomes (Roger's father). He holds a purple belt and by multiple accounts is a solid, physical grappler who's been at it consistently.

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Gisele Bundchen - Purple Belt

Here's one that might actually surprise you.

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen started BJJ in December 2021 and earned her purple belt in just two years - a remarkably fast progression that her coaches have put down to an "intense" approach to training. She trains at the Valente Brothers academy in Miami and has spoken about how much the sport has changed her.

Two years to purple belt. That's impressive for anyone, let alone someone who started from scratch.

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Ed O'Neill - Black Belt

If you've watched Modern Family, you know Ed O'Neill. What you probably don't know is that he's been training BJJ since the late 1980s, starting at 42 years old, and earned his black belt under Rorion Gracie after 16 years of consistent training.

He made it work around a demanding acting schedule by committing to at least one session a week and rolling with his professor regularly. Sixteen years. That's the kind of long game BJJ asks of you.

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Demi Lovato - Purple Belt

Singer and actress Demi Lovato has spoken openly about BJJ being part of her mental health toolkit. She's been training for several years and holds a purple belt.

"Jiu Jitsu has helped me develop a fighter mindset," she's said in interviews, describing how it complements her wider wellbeing practice. For Lovato, it's as much about mental resilience as physical training, something most people who've spent time on the mats will recognise.

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Ashton Kutcher - Brown Belt

Kutcher has been training under the Machado brothers for over a decade and holds a brown belt under Rigan Machado. He's one of the higher-ranked celebrity practitioners and has been consistent about it for years.

He's also mentioned that his kids train with the Gracies.

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Russell Brand - Purple Belt

British comedian and actor Russell Brand trains at the Roger Gracie Academy in Buckinghamshire and holds a purple belt. Another name you wouldn't necessarily put together with BJJ, but he's been a consistent presence on the mats for years.

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What Do They All Have In Common?

It's not just fitness. It's not just self-defence.

Every person on this list talks about BJJ differently to how they'd talk about going to the gym. They talk about the mental challenge, the problem-solving, the community, the way it forces you to show up properly or it exposes you completely.

Tom Hardy competes against strangers on a Sunday morning. Tinie Tempah stood at the side of a competition hall questioning whether to leave and then won gold. Gisele Bundchen earned a purple belt in two years while being one of the most famous people on the planet. Ed O'Neill trained for sixteen years before earning his black belt.

None of that is glamorous. All of it is real.

That's BJJ. And it's waiting for you too.

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Ready to see what jiu jitsu is actually like? Book your first class at ARMA in Clapham and find out for yourself.

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‍Book Your First Class

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ARMA is based in Clapham, South West London. We offer adult BJJ, women's BJJ, kids' classes, and personal training. Beginners always welcome.

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