BJJ Academies in Minas Gerais.

Minas Gerais has one of the longest-running state BJJ federations in Brazil. The Federação Mineira de Jiu-Jitsu (FMJJ) was founded in 1975 by Professor José Senador Rosa under the direct guidance of Master Hélio Gracie, and was officially recognized in 1976 by the then-Minister of Education Jarbas Passarinho and the National Council of Sports (CND). The federation runs the Mineiro State Championship — in 2025, more than 20,000 athletes competed for the title of Mineiro Champion. FMJJ is headquartered at Av. Amazonas, room 348, third floor, in the Centro district of Belo Horizonte. A newer body, FJJEMG (Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado de Minas Gerais), provides additional state-level coverage.

Belo Horizonte is the state's BJJ center of gravity. In 1996, Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhães moved to Belo Horizonte and opened the first Gracie Barra academy outside of Rio de Janeiro — a foundational moment in the team's expansion. The IBJJF has held the Belo Horizonte International Open in the city in past seasons.