Great Renzo Gracie interview

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Great Renzo Gracie interview

Posted this on my Academy Facebook page last week but if you are a BJJ practitioner and haven’t watched it, please do so. Renzo gets into what he believes is an important time in the history of BJJ and even opens up about his brother’s passing. Whenever I hear him speak, I am so grateful for the time I got to spend training directly under him for all those years. It was an amazing experience and a turning point in my growth in BJJ.

About Renzo Gracie

Renzo Gracie is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt from the famous Gracie family and a legend in BJJ. Renzo was born in Rio de Janeiro ,Brazil and is the grandson of Gracie Jiu Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie and son of 9th Degree BJJ black belt Robson Gracie, brother to Ralph and Ryan Gracie. Renzo started training Jiu-Jitsu as an infant. He had formal instructor from many of the Gracie patriarchs, but to of his biggest influences were the legendary Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr (the man who later awarded him his black belt)..

Renzo has won numerous competitions the most prestigious being the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) in which he is a 2x Champion.  Renzo’s name is also synonymous with Vale-Tudo, the famous No Holds Barred style of fighting in Brazil that originated today’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Renzo’s first official fight was at the age of 25 in the Gracie Vale Tudo Challenge were he submitted his opponent Luiz Augusto Alvareda by rear naked choke. Renzo has fought all over the world for organizations such as Pride FC in its heyday and the UFC. He pioneered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America in the 1990’s when he founded Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, one of the cornerstones of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America. He is established as one of the best teachers and mentors in the sport.