Relson Gracie
Encyclopedia
Relson "Campeão" Gracie is a retired professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
fighter and martial arts
personality. He is a member of the legendary Gracie family
.Relson currently lives in Hawaii
where he still teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at his academy in Honolulu. There are many Relson Gracie affiliated academies and associations throughout the U.S. which keep him traveling regularly.
Relson is the second oldest son of Helio Gracie
, who along with Carlos Gracie
, is credited for innovating the Kodokan Judo taught by Mitsuyo “Count Koma” Maeda
into what is now known as Gracie or "Brazilian" Jiu Jitsu. Relson began learning the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the age of two, began competing at the age of ten, and earned his black belt when he was 18. He went 22 years undefeated as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion.
Although Relson's techniques are deeply rooted in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Relson also emphasizes "street effective" techniques. Relson's Jiu-Jitsu has evolved to help defend yourself in a survival situations where there are no rules.
Relson is one of the few people to hold an 8th degree red/black belt in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he received from his father, Helio.
Relson as has also taught self defense to the U.S. Military, Secret Service, D.E.A., F.B.I., and local law enforcement agencies across the United States.
, Brazil
. In 1962, Helio Gracie (Relson's father) held the world’s first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Rio de Janeiro
, where Relson competed at the age of 10. Relson was Brazilian National Champion in both his own weight class and the open division for an unprecedented 22 years. His record and success in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu earned him the name "Campeao," Portuguese
for Champion.
In 1975, at the age of 22, Relson was approached by Rio's Secretary of Sport Jose Morais
and Manaus
Senator Artur Vigilio, a Reyson Gracie
Black Belt
, who proposed Relson open his own academy. Because of this encouragement, Relson opened his first Jiu Jitsu academny, Ilha Clube Jardim Guanabara (ICJG). During this time Relson taught at both ICJG and Academia Gracie Humaita
.
began competing and winning black belt divisions of Jiu Jitsu tournaments in their respective weight classes (83 kg and 77 kg, respectively) and "open weight" divisions as well, often sharing 1st and 2nd place. "Open weight" are divisions in tournaments where any weight can compete.
During this time Relson and other family members defended the Gracie name and reputation "in the streets" of Brazil. Even in true "no holds barred" matches, where it was often a matter of survival, Relson and the Gracie family maintained its dominance and proved that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is an effective martial art.
The Gracie family also experienced success in Vale Tudo
fights and competitions. On April 25, 1980, "the torch" was officially passed to Rickson Gracie when he defeated Casemiro "Rei Zulu" Nascimento Martins by rear naked choke. Rei Zulu suffered a similar fate at the hands of Rickson again in January 1984 during their second encounter. Relson trained Rickson for both events in anticipation of fighting Zulu himself, but Relson later acquiesced to Helio's wishes for Rickson to make his debut as the Gracie family champion.
at the request of Pedro Sauer
’s older brother, Carlos. In Monterey Relson taught at the Eseline Therapy Institute for a year and a half. In June 1988 he moved to Honolulu and continued to teach.
In the pre-UFC years, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was relatively unknown outside of Brazil. Relson taught out of his garage in the evenings after a hard day's work in the construction industry. However, the effectiveness and benefits of Jiu-Jitsu soon spread throughout the island of Oahu, and in the same year he expanded his classes to athletic facilities at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
because of growing demand until 1996, while continuing to teach out of his garage.
Relson organized the first tournament outside of Brazil in Honolulu in 1992.
held its first event, UFC 1
, which would launch the career of Royce Gracie
.
Prior to UFC 1, Royce was just "Rorion and Relson's little brother." Relson helped Royce train for the event. Relson's style was—and still is—ideally suited to a "limited rules" type of fighting. Royce won three of the first four UFC events.
However, with the advent of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (and UFC's rule change for UFC 5
), many of Relson's lethal techniques are no longer legal in MMA.
and Kelly Matsukawa, took first and second place in the Adult Blue Belt Pessidissimo division.
In 2000 the Relson Gracie Team joined forces with Gracie Humaita and placed in every division at the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Florida: 1st in the Female and Master/Seniors divisions, 2nd in the Juvenile, and 3rd in the Adult.
After the changes to rules common to most Jiu Jitsu tournaments, Relson felt tournaments started to steer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu away from the principles that his father had created it for. Relson decided to place less emphasis on pushing his team to compete and refocused on the true essence of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Relson is also affiliated with some tournaments: the Relson Gracie National Jiu-Jitsu Tournament has been held annually in Columbus, Ohio
since 1997. Due to the success of his inaugural National tournament, Arnold Schwarzenegger
approached Relson to start the Arnold-Gracie World Submission Championships in 2000, also held to be held in Columbus. Between 2005 and 2008, participation has increased from 1200 to 1800 competitors.
Name - School/Affiliation - City, State - Date of promotion to Black Belt
Matt Rigney - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/11
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
fighter and martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
personality. He is a member of the legendary Gracie family
Gracie family
The Gracie family is a prominent sporting family from Brazil known for their founding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . They have been successful in combat sport competitions including mixed martial arts, vale tudo and submission wrestling events...
.Relson currently lives in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
where he still teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at his academy in Honolulu. There are many Relson Gracie affiliated academies and associations throughout the U.S. which keep him traveling regularly.
Relson is the second oldest son of Helio Gracie
Hélio Gracie
Hélio Gracie was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, known internationally as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
, who along with Carlos Gracie
Carlos Gracie
Carlos Gracie was the first Gracie to learn Judo from Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda. Based on this judo training, Carlos and his brothers founded the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
, is credited for innovating the Kodokan Judo taught by Mitsuyo “Count Koma” Maeda
Mitsuyo Maeda
,a Brazilian naturalized as Otávio Maeda,was a Japanese judōka and prizefighter in no holds barred competitions. He was also known as Count Combat or Conde Koma in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese, a nickname he picked up in Spain in 1908...
into what is now known as Gracie or "Brazilian" Jiu Jitsu. Relson began learning the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the age of two, began competing at the age of ten, and earned his black belt when he was 18. He went 22 years undefeated as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion.
Although Relson's techniques are deeply rooted in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Relson also emphasizes "street effective" techniques. Relson's Jiu-Jitsu has evolved to help defend yourself in a survival situations where there are no rules.
Relson is one of the few people to hold an 8th degree red/black belt in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he received from his father, Helio.
Relson as has also taught self defense to the U.S. Military, Secret Service, D.E.A., F.B.I., and local law enforcement agencies across the United States.
Beginnings
Relson was born in 1953, a year after the Gracies opened Academia Gracie in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. In 1962, Helio Gracie (Relson's father) held the world’s first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, where Relson competed at the age of 10. Relson was Brazilian National Champion in both his own weight class and the open division for an unprecedented 22 years. His record and success in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu earned him the name "Campeao," Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
for Champion.
In 1975, at the age of 22, Relson was approached by Rio's Secretary of Sport Jose Morais
José Morais
José Morais is a Portuguese Football Technical Assistant at Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid....
and Manaus
Manaus
Manaus is a city in Brazil, the capital of the state of Amazonas. It is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers. It is the most populous city of Amazonas, according to the statistics of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and is a popular ecotourist destination....
Senator Artur Vigilio, a Reyson Gracie
Reyson Gracie
Reyson Gracie is the 3rd son of Carlos Gracie, the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a member of the Gracie Family. Like his father, he has structured his life around three pillars: Jiu-Jitsu, the Gracie Diet and Spiritualism...
Black Belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
, who proposed Relson open his own academy. Because of this encouragement, Relson opened his first Jiu Jitsu academny, Ilha Clube Jardim Guanabara (ICJG). During this time Relson taught at both ICJG and Academia Gracie Humaita
Gracie Humaitá
Gracie Humaitá or Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu is a Jiu-Jitsu academy on Humaitá Street, in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, founded by Grandmaster Helio Gracie. The Academy offers classes in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, as originally taught by Grandmaster Helio Gracie.-History:The academy is located inside...
.
Growth Of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
In the middle to late 1970s Gracie Jiu-Jitsu continued to grow in popularity, and in 1978, Academia Gracie relocated to Flamengo, an area in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. In 1982 Relson and his younger brother RicksonRickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
began competing and winning black belt divisions of Jiu Jitsu tournaments in their respective weight classes (83 kg and 77 kg, respectively) and "open weight" divisions as well, often sharing 1st and 2nd place. "Open weight" are divisions in tournaments where any weight can compete.
During this time Relson and other family members defended the Gracie name and reputation "in the streets" of Brazil. Even in true "no holds barred" matches, where it was often a matter of survival, Relson and the Gracie family maintained its dominance and proved that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is an effective martial art.
The Gracie family also experienced success in Vale Tudo
Vale tudo
Vale tudo are full-contact unarmed combat events, with a limited number of rules, that became popular in Brazil during the 20th century. Vale tudo has been considered a combat sport by some observers...
fights and competitions. On April 25, 1980, "the torch" was officially passed to Rickson Gracie when he defeated Casemiro "Rei Zulu" Nascimento Martins by rear naked choke. Rei Zulu suffered a similar fate at the hands of Rickson again in January 1984 during their second encounter. Relson trained Rickson for both events in anticipation of fighting Zulu himself, but Relson later acquiesced to Helio's wishes for Rickson to make his debut as the Gracie family champion.
Move to the United States
In 1985, Relson moved from Rio de Janeiro to Monterey, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
at the request of Pedro Sauer
Pedro Sauer
Pedro Sauer is an 8th-degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu red and black belt under Rickson Gracie and Helio Gracie. On May 17, 2005, he was named "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor" in a worldwide poll conducted by the Abu Dhabi Combat Club ....
’s older brother, Carlos. In Monterey Relson taught at the Eseline Therapy Institute for a year and a half. In June 1988 he moved to Honolulu and continued to teach.
In the pre-UFC years, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was relatively unknown outside of Brazil. Relson taught out of his garage in the evenings after a hard day's work in the construction industry. However, the effectiveness and benefits of Jiu-Jitsu soon spread throughout the island of Oahu, and in the same year he expanded his classes to athletic facilities at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system...
because of growing demand until 1996, while continuing to teach out of his garage.
Relson organized the first tournament outside of Brazil in Honolulu in 1992.
Involvement with MMA
In 1993, The Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipUltimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
held its first event, UFC 1
UFC 1
The Ultimate Fighting Championship was the first mixed martial arts event by the Ultimate Fighting Championship , held at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, on November 12, 1993...
, which would launch the career of Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, he is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA.Gracie gained fame for his...
.
Prior to UFC 1, Royce was just "Rorion and Relson's little brother." Relson helped Royce train for the event. Relson's style was—and still is—ideally suited to a "limited rules" type of fighting. Royce won three of the first four UFC events.
However, with the advent of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (and UFC's rule change for UFC 5
UFC 5
UFC 5: The Return of the Beast was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on April 7, 1995, at the Independence Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event was seen live on pay per view in the United States, and later released on home video.-History:UFC 5 used an...
), many of Relson's lethal techniques are no longer legal in MMA.
Tournament competition in the 1990s and beyond
In 1997 Relson Gracie brought a team from Hawaii to the second World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships and became the first team outside of Brazil to "close out" (or win) a division. Two of Relson’s students, Kendall GooKendall Goo
Kendall Goo is one of Royce Gracie's eight trained black belts in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. He is undefeated as the Hawaiian State Heavy Weight Jiu-Jitsu Champion. He was also the World Jiu-Jitsu Champion in 1997 and 2001...
and Kelly Matsukawa, took first and second place in the Adult Blue Belt Pessidissimo division.
In 2000 the Relson Gracie Team joined forces with Gracie Humaita and placed in every division at the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Florida: 1st in the Female and Master/Seniors divisions, 2nd in the Juvenile, and 3rd in the Adult.
After the changes to rules common to most Jiu Jitsu tournaments, Relson felt tournaments started to steer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu away from the principles that his father had created it for. Relson decided to place less emphasis on pushing his team to compete and refocused on the true essence of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Relson is also affiliated with some tournaments: the Relson Gracie National Jiu-Jitsu Tournament has been held annually in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
since 1997. Due to the success of his inaugural National tournament, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
approached Relson to start the Arnold-Gracie World Submission Championships in 2000, also held to be held in Columbus. Between 2005 and 2008, participation has increased from 1200 to 1800 competitors.
Black Belts under Relson
There have been very few black belts ever given by Relson across his career. His reputation is for being very hard on promotions, often taking 10-15+ years to attain black belt level. Here are all of the known black belts and their promotion dates, where known:Name - School/Affiliation - City, State - Date of promotion to Black Belt
- Steve MaxwellSteve MaxwellStephen Maxwell, better known as Steve Maxwell , is an American fitness coach, physical educator, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Maxwell was named one of the top 100 trainers in the USA by Men's Journal....
- MaxwellSC - Philadelphia, PA - 2001? - Scott Devine - Coastal Combatives Inc - Savannah, Georgia - 3rd 3/2003
- Andre Derizans - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI, 3rd, 3/2003
- Jeff Hudson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 3/2003
- Phil MigliaresePhil MigliaresePhil “Jiu-jitsu Matrix” Migliarese is a 4th degree Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu BlackBelt with over 20 years of experience in BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts. A Gracie Worlds and National Champion, Phil is a trainer, training partner and coach to UFC and MMA fighters as well as World and Pan-Am...
(4th Degree) - Balance Studios - Philadelphia, PA - 3rd, 3/2003 - Sam Mahi - O2 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2nd, 4/14/04
- Robin Gieseler - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2006 (started 94)
- Kofi Debrah - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 9/28/05
- Rick MigliareseRicardo MigliareseRicardo “Animal” Migliarese is an American born professional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappler and a 3rd degree Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt with approximately 20 years of experience in BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts...
(3rd Degree) - Balance Studios - Philadelphia, PA - 1st, 2005 - Ronn Shiraki - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI - 2nd degree, 6/5/06
- Kimo Kreis - Relson Gracie Academy - Denver, CO - 2nd degree, 6/5/06
- Phil CardellaPhil CardellaPhil Ryan Cardella is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He currently fights as a lightweight in the World Extreme Cagefighting organization...
- Relson Gracie Academy Austin - Austin, TX - 6/5/06 - Mike Onzuka - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 4/4/07
- Garth Spendiff - Coastal Combatives Inc - Savannah, Georgia - 8/25/07
- Nathan Zigler - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - ?
- Vince Panzano - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - ?
- Lionel Perez - North Florida Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Jacksonville, FL - ?
- Toney Waldecker - Calvert MMA Academy - Sunderland, MD - 4/18/08
- Richard Giberson - Relson Gracie Academy Austin - Austin, TX - 10/8/08?
- Shawn Chitwood - Team Chitwood - Columbus, OH - 11/14/08
- David Wilson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/24/08
- Steve Hordinski - Relson Gracie JIu Jitsu Academy - Littleton, CO - 1/17/09
- Michael Casey - Gracie Jiu Jitsu Tuckahoe - Tuckahoe, NY - 1/24/09
- Chris Onzuka - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/11/09
- Shane Agena - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/11/09
- Reyn Morimoto - O2 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/18/09
- Todd Tanaka - Relson Gracie/Team HK Jiu Jitsu - Honolulu, HI - 7/22/09
- Tony Zara - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/11
Matt Rigney - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2/19/11
- Mark Kurano - Relson Gracie/Gracie Waikiki - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11
- Jeff Furuta - Relson Gracie/Gracie Uptown - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11
- Kaleo Auwae - Relson Gracie/Gracie Papakolea - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11
- Josh Lauber - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11
- Rhalan Gracie - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11
- Kaleo Hosaka - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11
- Gye Nitta - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11
- Dan Wallen - Relson Gracie - Fightworks- Sterling, Va-7/13/11
- Jim Hannan - Relson Gracie - Relson Gracie DC - Fairfax county, Va -7/13/11
- Tom Feister - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/29/11
External links
- Academia Gracie
- Relson Gracie Official Website
- Relson Gracie from gracieacademy.com
- Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Austin Association)
- http://www.graciedenver.com/
- http://www.denverjiujitsu.com/