If you have never heard the name Gracie, you really aren't much of an MMA fan. This family's impact on mixed martial arts has been huge, and the special style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu crafted by the Gracie Family is a vital part of most fighters' MMA training.
The first Gracie to enter the world of martial arts was Carlos Gracie, the oldest son of circus owner Gastao Gracie. The circus presented a series of Kodokan Judo demonstrations by Master Mitsuyo Maeda, and after Carlos saw Maeda's performance, he asked to become a student of this form of Judo. Maeda, one of the world's greatest fighters of all time with more than 2,000 fights in his career, agreed and taught his skill set to his eager young student. Carlos then opened a martial arts school, first teaching his brothers and then enlisting them as instructors. For Carlos, martial arts served as a way of life, as well as a way to protect his brothers from a tyrannical father.
With the exception of the sickly youngest brother, Helio, all of Carlos' brothers became instructors at the school. Carlos felt that Helio was simply too weak to train and participate, but Helio was a keen observer and learned much from simply watching the lessons. In fact, he learned enough to take over a class one day when Carlos was running late to the school. The student was impressed by Helio's instruction and asked to continue taking lessons, thus beginning Helio's career as a teacher.
Because he was weaker than his brothers, Helio found that many of the Judo-style techniques his brothers taught did not work for him. So he did what any innovative person would do, he developed his own style of fighting that would allow a smaller fighter to more easily combat a larger opponent. This is how Gracie-style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born.
Helio's oldest son Rorion is yet another notable Gracie family member. In 1978, with little money but a dream of opening a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school, Rorion came to the United States. He first taught classes out of his garage, not even charging his first students for lessons. A few years later, his younger brother, Royce Gracie, came to the states and joined his brother. They upgraded from the garage to a full-scale facility in 1989, creating the world headquarters for Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu.
In addition to starting the first BJJ school, Rorion co-founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993 with entrepreneur Art Davie and filmmaker John Milius. Rorion and his partners saw the tremendous earning potential inherent in mixed martial arts once it was televised.
Royce Gracie not only helped Rorion develop his school of Jiu-Jitsu, he also was the very first UFC victor. He defeated three opponents in less than five minutes to win UFC 1. Royce also went on to win two more UFC titles and holds a mixed martial arts record of 12 wins, two losses and three draws. Like Helio, Royce was smaller physically than many of his opponents, but his superior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills helped him overcome larger rivals, such as Ken Shamrock who outweighed him substantially.
The first Gracie to enter the world of martial arts was Carlos Gracie, the oldest son of circus owner Gastao Gracie. The circus presented a series of Kodokan Judo demonstrations by Master Mitsuyo Maeda, and after Carlos saw Maeda's performance, he asked to become a student of this form of Judo. Maeda, one of the world's greatest fighters of all time with more than 2,000 fights in his career, agreed and taught his skill set to his eager young student. Carlos then opened a martial arts school, first teaching his brothers and then enlisting them as instructors. For Carlos, martial arts served as a way of life, as well as a way to protect his brothers from a tyrannical father.
With the exception of the sickly youngest brother, Helio, all of Carlos' brothers became instructors at the school. Carlos felt that Helio was simply too weak to train and participate, but Helio was a keen observer and learned much from simply watching the lessons. In fact, he learned enough to take over a class one day when Carlos was running late to the school. The student was impressed by Helio's instruction and asked to continue taking lessons, thus beginning Helio's career as a teacher.
Because he was weaker than his brothers, Helio found that many of the Judo-style techniques his brothers taught did not work for him. So he did what any innovative person would do, he developed his own style of fighting that would allow a smaller fighter to more easily combat a larger opponent. This is how Gracie-style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born.
Helio's oldest son Rorion is yet another notable Gracie family member. In 1978, with little money but a dream of opening a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school, Rorion came to the United States. He first taught classes out of his garage, not even charging his first students for lessons. A few years later, his younger brother, Royce Gracie, came to the states and joined his brother. They upgraded from the garage to a full-scale facility in 1989, creating the world headquarters for Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu.
In addition to starting the first BJJ school, Rorion co-founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993 with entrepreneur Art Davie and filmmaker John Milius. Rorion and his partners saw the tremendous earning potential inherent in mixed martial arts once it was televised.
Royce Gracie not only helped Rorion develop his school of Jiu-Jitsu, he also was the very first UFC victor. He defeated three opponents in less than five minutes to win UFC 1. Royce also went on to win two more UFC titles and holds a mixed martial arts record of 12 wins, two losses and three draws. Like Helio, Royce was smaller physically than many of his opponents, but his superior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills helped him overcome larger rivals, such as Ken Shamrock who outweighed him substantially.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias likes blogging about mixed martial arts benefits. For further information about San Diego MMA lessons or to find a San Diego boxing gym, check out The Arena MMA website now.
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