GRAND MASTER CARLOS GRACIE
"The beginning of everything"
The Gracie style was created in Brazil in the early part of this century by Brazilian jiu-jitsu pioneer Carlos Gracie, who studied traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu as a teenager under the great Japanese champion, Mitsuyo Maeda (known in Brazil as Conde Koma — the “Count of Combat”).
Carlos Gracie, who was interested in street self-defense, quickly modified the classical techniques he learned from Count Koma to meet the demands of real, “no rules” fighting in the streets of Brazil. The young Carlos Gracie then tested and refined his system through constant matches, open to all comers, constantly working to make it more effective. At one point, he even advertised in newspapers and on street corners for new opponents upon whom to practice and further refine his art. He fought anyone and everyone who was willing, regardless of size, weight or fighting style. Even though he weighed a mere 135 pounds, his style was so effective that Carlos Gracie was never defeated and became a legend in Brazil.
Learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Rilion and Roggan Gracie can be beneficial due to their vast experience and expertise in the martial art. The Gracie family has a long history of developing and perfecting BJJ techniques, and Rilion and Roggan are both accomplished practitioners and teachers. Their instruction can help students improve their physical fitness, develop self-defense skills, and cultivate discipline and focus. Additionally, training under Rilion and Roggan Gracie can provide students with access to a supportive and passionate community of BJJ practitioners.
RILION GRACIE
"SECOND GENERATION TRADITION"
Rilion Gracie is the youngest male son of the Grand Master Carlos Gracie Sr. (the founder of Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the creator of MMA ). He has been involved in his father’s tradition since he was born. He has grown up in the world of mats, healthy living, improved life skills and philosophic concepts of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Rilion is proud to have had his father Carlos Sr. and his brother Rolls (the forefather of modern Jiu Jitsu) as his mentors and professors.
Before Jiu-Jitsu became a sport, it was a martial art based on the principals of respect, hierarchy, discipline, self-control, self-confidence, patience and many others. The objective is rendering the opponent into submission.
Rilion fought competitively for 15 years in both Jiu Jitsu and free style matches. In his competitive career as a Black Belt he was never submitted, neither in competition nor in sparring sessions.
He is recognized in the Jiu Jitsu world for his mastery of the art and has become known for being “100% technical”.’
In the early 1980’s besides teaching at the Gracie Ipanema academy, he was a founding member of the Gracie JJ School in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, along with his older brothers Crolin and Carlos Jr. In 1988, he was one of the instructors at the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu Seminar in the United States hosted by the actor and Martial Arts enthusiast Chuck Norris.
ROGGAN GRACIE
"THIRD GENERATION LEGACY"
Roggan is a part of the third generation of fighters of the Gracie family. Grandson of Grand Master Carlos Gracie and son of Master Rilion Gracie, he was raised within a legacy that has been passed on from father to son for more than 100 years, adhering to the traditions of the family that created and spread Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
As his father, uncles, and cousins, Roggan began practicing Jiu Jitsu from a young age, and following the family’s footsteps began his professional career defending Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In having his first professional fight in Europe, Roggan became the first Gracie to fight MMA there. In May 2013, in the Italian city of Lombardy, he debuted with a victory by unanimous decision. The following year, Roggan fought in the Impera FC event in Rome, winning his fight by submission in little more than the first minute of the first round.
From an early age, Roggan already followed his father Rilion’s daily routine of classes and assisted at the academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Today, Roggan lives in Miami and teaches at Rilion Gracie HQ alongside his father.
FIRST CLASS IS ON US!