One of the very first Gracie Jiu Jitsu academies in Rio de Janeiro, this historical gym has made some of the best fighters the world has ever seen.
Fabrício Camões is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie and a member of the Gracie Humaitá team. co-founder to the Gracie South Bay academy in San Diego – California and a former professional MMA fighter, having competed in important promotions such as the UFC.
Jack McVicker is an American martial artist and a jiu jitsu pioneer in the Midwest of the United States where he established his academy McVicker BJJ. A certified instructor in jeet-kune do and Filipino martial arts under Dan Inosanto, and a the first ever jiu jitsu black belt awarded by Wellington Dias, Jack McVicker is also known as one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport’s Masters division.
Régis Lebre is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie, regarded as one of the pioneers in the US East Coast through his work at Steve and DC Maxewell’s Maxwercise in Philadelphia. Not only a revered instructor, Lebre was also highly successful as a competitor, having earned a Pan American title, Masters & Senior title, and several Rio State championships.
Admilson Brites, commonly known as “Juquinha”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie, being one of Gracie Humaita’s most accomplished athletes during the 2000’s decade. Juquinha is also also revered for his work towards the development of jiu jitsu in Brasília (Brazil’s capital), as well as being recognized for his incredible family tree, and its close relationship to grappling.
Djalma Spindola is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Rodolfo Azevedo and Admilson “Juquinha” Brittes. Spindola earned the rank after a glorious campaign at brown belt, where he medalled at important tournaments such as the Pan American Championship, Brazilian National Championship, South American Championship.
Louis Vintaloro is a judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie, being one of the pioneers of this grappling style in New Jersey, particularly in the northern area of this American state. Vintaloro is also known as the founder of the Performance Jiu-Jitsu, an academy in which big names of the sport started their careers, names such as Dominyka Obelenyte and JT Torres.
Sergio “Malibu” was one of the most recognizable figures in Jiu Jitsu during the 1980s and 1990s. One of the main advocates for the surfing/jiu jitsu lifestyle crossover, and former Pan American and Brazilian National Jiu Jitsu Champion, Malibu was a student of Rolls Gracie and Rickson Gracie who became highly involved with the start of the Master Academy of Romero Cavalcanti.
A black belt in jiu jitsu under Royler Gracie, the BJJ world champion Paulo “Coelho” became a reference in the sport as a fighter, and also as an instructor, having moved to the United States in 2012 to pursuit his coaching career.
Gustavo Dias is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Cristiano Marcello and Ocimar Costa, who competes for the Gracie Humaita team, Dias has a long list of accomplishments
Robson Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu red belt (9th degree), son of the founder of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Carlos Gracie (Senior) who was an instructor of the ‘arte suave’ at the Gracie Academy during the 1950’s. Robson defended the Gracie family name in vale tudo (no holds barred) fights during the 1950’s, he is also the father of famous BJJ personalities such as Ryan, Ralph and Renzo Gracie.
Rockson Gracie was the oldest son of the legendary Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter and MMA pioneer Rickson Gracie, who was considered by many, to be one of the greatest prospects in BJJ during the 1990’s decade. Rockson Gracie would also become one of the sports saddest losses when he passed away on December of 2000 in New York.
Helio Vigio is a 9th degree red belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and an important figure in this martial art’s history. A former instructor of the Gracie Academy in the 1950’s, alongside Carlson Gracie, Robson Gracie and Joao Alberto Barreto, Helio Vigio defended the Gracie Jiu Jitsu name in several “Vale Tudo” (No Holds Barred) fights later becoming one of the best BJJ/NHB/MMA referees in the world
Mackenzie Dern is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and one of the top female grapplers in the 2010 era. Being also the daughter of a respected BJJ personality, Wellington Dias, a lot was expected of Mackenzie Dern, and she did not disappoint, having become one of the top female athletes in BJJ. Mackenzie Dern is also famed for her relationship with professional BJJ competitor Augusto Mendes.
Ben Baxter is a jiu jitsu black belt graduated by the iconic Wellington “Megaton” Diaz who trains and competes for the Rafael Lovato Junior academy. Ben is regarded as one of the top competitors in the United States having medalled in many important tournaments
James Puopolo is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rafael Lovato Junior who became one of the most highly regarded American submission grapplers in the BJJ circuit having won several important tournaments at a national and international level.
Marcus Norat is a former Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt World Champion (2002) and a representative of the illustrious Gracie Humaita in the early 2000’s. The man from Belem do Pará, Brazil also became the founder of Norfight, a successful academy in the region, while serving several mandates as the president of Parana’s Jiu Jitsu Federation.
Eduardo Monteiro is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Guilherme “Caju” Rocha from Gracie Fortaleza and a strong competitor in the North-East region of Brazil. Eduardo was named “Fighter to Watch for 2010” by BJJ website Meia Guarda for his competitive achievements.
Joao “Johnny” Faria is a Brazilian Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with plenty of experience in Nogi as well. A Flavio Behring black belt, Johnny has won several important competitions since arriving in the USA in 2006 such as the Pan American and the World Nogi Championships.
Considered by many as the best guard in the Gracie family, Rilion Gracie was tremendously influenced by his brothers Rolls and Crolin. Rilion also taught the Gracie Jiu Jitsu style half way around the world having opened schools in Europe, North and South America. Today Rilion is still sought out by several big names in the sport for technical advice.
Rolker Gracie is an important figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, being the 4th son of Helio Gracie and one of the main figures within the Gracie Humaitá organization, arguably the most historical of BJJ academies, from where he has influenced the technical growth of many world champions.