The Toronto Globe and Mail has an article today about judo’s increasing popularity and the role that MMA has played in driving it:

Tradition may be the most important part of judo, but the sport known as “the gentle way” is undergoing a renewal thanks to the rising interest in new, aggressive forms of fighting.

“Judo is not really more mainstream than before, but it has seen greater popularity since the MMA [mixed martial arts] craze,” says Mitchell Kawasaki, chief instructor at the Kawasaki Rendokan Judo Academy, a Hamilton facility celebrating its 50th anniversary on May 31.

“With the increased awareness of MMA and UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship] fighting, many athletic young adults have realized the benefits of learning judo as a fundamental basis to success in MMA. Judo, however, does not encourage injuring one’s partner and, as an Olympic recognized sport since 1964, it encourages and helps to develop flexibility, endurance, conditioning, self-confidence, understanding anxiety and stress, and helping to cope with daily issues.”

Mixed martial arts increasing popularity of judo @ The Globe and Mail