For years Luta Livre has been overshadowed by the immense marketing and development of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. With the growth and popularity of Mixed Martial Arts today, LL is beginning to take its place as a very effective form of submission grappling for MMA.

Andreas Schmidt has dedicated most of his life to learning the art. He is a third degree black belt and was a 2001 ADCC competitor. With over 175 matches, Andreas Schmidt only experienced 7 losses and 1 draw. His record becomes even more remarkable when one realizes Andreas has only been submitted once in his career, and that was by grappling standout Dean Lister after 10 minutes.

This speaks volumes to those training for MMA or other sports that have not been exposed to the art. Andreas experienced his 1 draw with his impressive match against Rudolfo Amaro of Gracie Barra which lasted for an astounding 75 minutes before it was declared a draw.

Andreas’ love and experience of success ignited his mission to promote Luta Livre throughout the world. In 2006, Andreas stepped down from competition and stepped up to the responsibility of furthering the growth of the sport. The International Luta Livre Organization (ILLO ) was born and is generating worldwide interest in the art within a short period of time.

Andreas Schmidt established the ILLO Headquarters in Cologne, Germany. It is the mission of ILLO to promote the traditional techniques which have stood the test of time as well as develop dependable techniques for any combat situation. By doing this ILLO hopes tp avoid the downfall of becoming stagnant without evolution.

Schools with existing disciplines can easily implement the Andyconda Luta Livre program with great success for this reason.

The ILLO has a successful organizational structure to ensure support for its affiliate members. Coaches are taught by Andreas Schmidt. They are required to complete an instructor’s course and maintain continuing education with Andreas in order to teach the techniques and programs given to them by the Headquarters while advancing their own coaching rank. The instructor is given support by Andreas and other organizational levels including Regional Representatives, to ensure the quality of instruction.

The future of ILLO is bright with the growing number of schools throughout Europe and the United States as well as its coordination of competitions to include teams from every corner of the world. ILLO representatives are currently in the process of organizing World Championships which will be open to all grappling styles and use the application of a traditional scoring system.

Fights are held without time limit in the advanced class and fighters can win by submission or by collecting points until the point limit is reached. Points are only given for throws or dominant positions upon which the opponent is in real danger of being submitted. This concept makes for exciting matches that do not reward stalling or riding out a point lead to a decision.

ILLO is confident of its continued growth because it can help schools establish a stand alone program or compliment their existing disciplines. The practicality upon which ILLO has been established will ensure the growth of the organization and re-establish the name of Luta Livre.

For more information and a closer look at everything inside and around ILLO and their Affiliates visit:

www.LutaLivre.net

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