.png)
Professor Ralph Gracie has been a champion BJJ-trained, MMA fighter, for over 25 years and has been called one of the best ground fighter in the world. He has fought in major events including Extreme Fighting and Pride Bushido. His grandfather, Carlos Gracie Sr was instrumental in transforming the ancient Japanese samurai martial art into a practical form for self-defense. Ralph picked up the torch as bein an instrumental contriubtor to bringing BJJ to the Bay Area during a worldwide spread of the gentle art.
Ralph Gracie was born into and has studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over thirty five years. Ralph has dedicated his life to teaching the incredible fighting system known today around the world as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He currently has seveal academies in California in which all are run by black belts directly under him, and other academies around the world including Florida, Mongolia and Poland. Ralph’s focus on his teachings consist mainly of learning the techniques, executing them correctly and training. He has said more than once, “It’s better to die, than not train.” His fighting style backs this theory as well as his teaching delivery.
BJJ IN RALPH'S LIFE
Robson, Sr. introduced Brazilian jiu-jitsu to Ralph and his full brothers (Renzo and Ryan) through play as a young child. When he moved to Rio de Janeiro at age 13, Ralph began taking his family tradition more seroiously, often training twice a day. His passion grew quickly as jiu-jitsu became the center of life.
Ralph's style is described as aggressive pressure through leverage with the goal of submitting opponents, rather than scoring points for a decision. This style transferred into an MMA career displaying exciting BJJ still shown in highlight reels today (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiVDNa64Wzw).
BJJ LINEAGE
Ralph received his black belt at the age of 21 from his uncle Carlos Gracie Jr. In turn, Carlos Jr. received his black belt from Helio Gracie who received his black belt from Ralph's grandfather, Carlos Gracie Sr. Mitsuyo Maeda started the lineage in teaching Carlos Gracie Sr. the Japanese style of the martial art.
Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Ralph Gracie
BJJ ACADEMIES
Ralph Gracie academies Ralph Gracie academies are located in San Francisco CA, San Jose CA, Santa Clara CA, Berkeley CA, Pleasanton CA, Walnut Creek CA, Richmond CA, Modesto CA, Sacramento CA, Mission Viejo CA, Bend OR, Florida and Chicago IL. The historic mother adacemy of Mountain View, now located in San Jose, was his first the United States.