Tom Hardy's introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came not from a traditional martial arts background but from the demands of Hollywood. Born in 1977, Hardy first encountered BJJ in 2011 while preparing for his role as Tommy Conlon, an MMA fighter, in the film Warrior. That early exposure planted a seed, though it did not immediately translate into sustained practice. It was not until 2018 that Hardy fully committed to training, beginning his journey in earnest at Roger Gracie Academy, where he trained and competed under Roger Gracie's roof.

From the outset, Hardy approached BJJ with a seriousness that distinguished him from casual celebrity practitioners. Training under coach Carlos Santos in London, he dove into an intensive regimen from the start — reportedly hitting the mats five days a week whenever his schedule allows. Despite the constant demands of an A-list acting career, Hardy has made jiu-jitsu a genuine priority, regularly seeking out gyms to train at even while on location for film projects around the world.

Hardy's progression through the belt ranks reflects the consistency and dedication he has brought to his training. After approximately two years of committed practice, he earned his blue belt around 2020. Three years later, in June 2023, Tomasz Rydzewski — a black belt under Roger Gracie — promoted him to purple belt, recognizing the tangible improvements in his game.

Hardy's most recent milestone came in January 2026, when Sonny Weston, head instructor at SWBJJ Horsham BJJ, promoted him to brown belt during a seminar led by Tom DeBlass. The promotion drew widespread attention across the grappling community, both because of Hardy's public profile and because respected voices within BJJ moved quickly to affirm its legitimacy. Tom DeBlass publicly shared images of the ceremony and, on February 8, 2026, issued a detailed defense of the promotion, praising Hardy's consistency and character on the mats. DeBlass noted that Hardy sometimes trains five days a week even while traveling and emphasized his willingness to roll with anyone regardless of rank or size. "He is a 48 year old man that doesn't turn down a roll," DeBlass stated, adding, "You think I'd fly to London to support someone's journey if they were a fraud? … My reputation is more important than any relationship I may forge." Craig Jones was among the other respected figures who publicly vouched for the validity of Hardy's purple belt promotion, underscoring that his credentials have been scrutinized and affirmed by credible members of the community.

In 2022, Hardy began testing himself in formal competition at the blue belt level, adopting an approach that was as understated as it was effective. He frequently registered for tournaments under a pseudonym to avoid the distraction of his celebrity status, allowing him to compete purely on his merits. Opponents and spectators often had no idea they were sharing a bracket with one of the most recognizable actors in the world — until his technique and composure made it difficult to ignore.

The most significant of these appearances came in August 2022, when Hardy quietly entered the 2022 REORG Open Championship in Wolverhampton, a charity grappling event organized to support veterans and first responders. Competing in the blue belt masters category, he claimed first place in both the gi and no-gi divisions, taking double gold. Video footage of his victories spread rapidly online, providing concrete evidence that his skills were entirely genuine. That same year, he also took first place at a tournament in Milton Keynes at blue belt. A 2022 opponent offered perhaps the most telling testimonial, describing Hardy as "probably the toughest competitor I have ever had."

Hardy continues to enter competition occasionally in the United Kingdom, maintaining his competitive edge even as his belt rank and training demands evolve. His competitive ambitions have not gone unnoticed at higher levels of the sport: in late 2025, he was offered a submission-only grappling match against UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan for a Hype FC event scheduled for December 30, 2025, in Yerevan, Armenia. Hardy declined the offer due to filming commitments running through March 2026, making adequate preparation impossible. He indicated the decision was not financial and expressed genuine interest in serious grappling opportunities in the future. With Hardy unavailable, Tsarukyan faced Sharabutdin Magomedov in a six-minute submission-only match that ended in a draw in front of an estimated 8,000 spectators.

Building the Foundation

Hardy's approach to learning BJJ reflects both humility and a genuine desire to improve rather than simply participate. According to coach Carlos Santos, Hardy initially used private lessons to build a foundational understanding of the art before requesting to join group classes — a deliberate progression that speaks to his intention to integrate authentically into the training environment rather than receive preferential treatment. He avoids arrangements that would isolate him from regular practitioners, opting instead for public classes and open seminars where he trains alongside everyone else.

A Diverse Coaching Network

As of February 2026, Hardy trains two to three times per week while on a film set and increases that frequency to approximately five times per week during breaks from production. His pursuit of technical growth has led him to seek instruction from some of the most respected figures in submission grappling. He has trained with John Danaher during visits to the United States and has worked with or received guidance from Tom DeBlass, Renzo Gracie, Roger Gracie, and members of the Daisy Fresh team, building a diverse and well-rounded grappling education.

Earning Respect Through Effort

Within his own academy, Hardy is known not for his fame but for his work ethic. Carlos Santos describes him as a dedicated student who "really loves jiu-jitsu," and training partners have consistently noted that he is both friendly and intensely focused on the mats, earning respect through effort rather than celebrity. He also volunteers with children's classes at his academy, extending his engagement with the art beyond his own development. The physical toll of training has been real — Hardy has undergone two knee surgeries related to his BJJ practice, one resulting from a sweep and another from a meniscus tear — yet neither has diminished his commitment to the mats.

For Tom Hardy, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has always been about far more than competition or physical fitness. He credits the art with providing "a level of honest confidence" that he has not found elsewhere, and his framing of training has grown increasingly reflective over the years. "Now it's more of a meditation or relaxing… I have no competitive spirit," he has said, adding, "I don't need to win, I don't care… I always get beaten, but that's okay." This perspective positions jiu-jitsu not as a proving ground but as a space for self-examination and growth.

In the foreword to Roger Gracie's book Tao of Warrior, Hardy described himself explicitly as a "hobbyist" and articulated the values that keep him returning to the mats: growing through failure, problem-solving, patience, learning to breathe, and what he called BJJ's "genuine holistic lifestyle benefits" and its inclusivity "whatever your age." These are not the words of someone motivated by trophies or rankings but of a practitioner who has found something genuinely transformative in the art.

Hardy has spoken openly about how jiu-jitsu has helped him navigate serious personal challenges, including past struggles with addiction and mental health. He describes training as "fundamentally key" in building inner resilience and calm, treating BJJ as a therapeutic outlet that keeps him grounded amid the pressures of life in the public eye. At a New York Comic Con panel for Venom: The Last Dance, Hardy publicly described himself as neurodivergent — a disclosure that connects directly to his broader advocacy work around neurodiversity and his belief in the mat as a space that welcomes all minds and bodies.

Hardy's relationship with REORG extends well beyond a ceremonial ambassadorship. He serves as both a trustee and head ambassador for the UK-based charity, which uses Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a rehabilitative and community-building tool for military veterans and first responders. In that role, he contributes not only his public profile and financial support but also his physical presence — stepping onto the competition mat at REORG events to demonstrate, through action, the value of what the organization offers.

His August 2022 double-gold performance at the 2022 REORG Open Championship in Wolverhampton was itself a piece of advocacy. By competing publicly at a charity event, going viral in the process, and visibly excelling, Hardy directed an enormous amount of attention toward an organization that might otherwise struggle to reach mainstream audiences. His involvement illustrates how an individual practitioner can use the sport as a vehicle for service, connecting BJJ's well-documented off-the-mat benefits to a population — veterans and first responders — for whom those benefits can be especially profound.

In November 2025, Hardy announced an expanded collaboration with Tatami Fightwear centered on autism advocacy and the celebration of neurodiversity within the BJJ community. The partnership produced "The AUTSiders Social Club AuDHD Grip" collection — a line of rashguards and shorts offered in hot pink, forest green, classic black, and sunny yellow. The designs incorporate phrases such as "ZERO EYE CONTACT" and "NEUROSPICY ROLLERS GUILD," along with recurring "INVADERS" branding and, on select pieces, a "WELLINGTON INVADERS JUJITSU CLUB" logo presented as a nod to Hardy's training community.

Hardy stated that proceeds from the collection would be directed toward autism-focused charitable organizations and invited his Instagram following — which stood at 11.3 million as of late November 2025 — to suggest specific beneficiary groups. He used the same platform to amplify fellow practitioners, including repeatedly sharing teammate Daniel Fornasa's song "Don't Be Scared to Be Vulnerable" in the week leading up to November 26, 2025. The Tatami collaboration reflects a consistent thread in Hardy's engagement with jiu-jitsu: a conviction that the art's benefits belong to everyone, and that the community grows stronger by actively including those who might otherwise feel excluded from it.