Who is Renzo Gracie?
The founder of our affiliation, Renzo Gracie, is widely renowned throughout the Jiu Jitsu community. But for those unfamiliar with the name, the legacy and history of the legend goes unknown.
Renzo, the grandson of Carlos Gracie Sr. and the son of red belt Robson Gracie, started training when he was five years old. His main professors were Rolls Gracie (known as the father of modern Jiu Jitsu) and Carlos Gracie Jr.
In 1992, Renzo was awarded his black belt by Carlos Gracie Jr.
Growing up, Jiu Jitsu was part of Renzo’s normal day-to-day life, in addition to surfing. Martial arts, however, had a more impactful siren call. Renzo eventually gave up the waves for the mat, according to a recent interview.
The legend started training Jiu Jitsu at 5-years-old, started competing at 7, and went undefeated until he was a teenager.
With competition prominent in his family, Renzo followed the path of many other Gracies: exemplifying through fighting how Jiu Jitsu is the most effective martial art.
Though Royce Gracie is known as the man who ushered in a new age of MMA, Renzo beat his cousin to the punch — literally — by fighting professionally two years before him. Renzo has fought the “vale-tudo” no-holds-barred style of MMA and the modern style of MMA known and loved today.
Through his career, Renzo defeated five UFC champions: Oleg Taktarov, Maurice Smith, Pat Miletich, Carlos Newton, and Frank Shamrock. Though Renzo only fought in the UFC once, and lost due to stoppage against Matt Hughes, he traded fists with the former UFC champions in other promotions.
His last fight was in 2018 against Yuki Kondo for ONE Championship. At 51-years-old, Renzo submitted Kondo with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
MMA wasn’t all Renzo competed in professionally.
Before moving to the States, Renzo was the Copa Atlântico Sul Champion from 1988-1991 and again in 1994.
Notably, after his move to the U.S., Renzo won the inaugural ADCC -77kg bracket in 1998, and took home the victory once more in 2000. At ADCC 2022, Renzo was inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame.
The legend was not just a full-time fighter, however.
In 1996, Renzo founded the Renzo Gracie Academy in Manhattan — just a stone’s throw away from Madison Square Garden.
Like most new gym owners, Renzo was a one-man show. Especially in 90s America, the “gentle art” was so new, it was difficult for the Jiu Jitsu legend to find additional coaches.
For nine hours, seven days a week, Renzo would teach classes. Later, at 9 p.m. after the last person left, he would clean the gym. The process repeated the following day for the next five years until he hired his top student at the time — Matt Serra — to help teach and a family member — Rodrigo Gracie — to help with the janitorial work.
Renzo’s school quickly became the top revenue generator for a gym in America — three times ahead of the second place school. One of the first gyms in America, Renzo’s academy became a map for other gyms to have the same success. The charisma and generosity of Renzo are unmatched — he deeply cares for his students and wants to see them succeed. Whereas other affiliations are in it for the money, Renzo’s profit from his affiliations go directly to his daughters.
Today, his two gyms in New York and Manhattan welcome various people of social degrees — all who are met with the same Renzo Gracie: a charming, charismatic man who is dedicated to instructing the “gentle art.”
Two unlikely stars drawn to Renzo were film director Guy Ritchie (who earned his black belt in 2015) and movie star Sean Patrick Flanery — who created a movie about Jiu Jitsu in which Renzo cameos.
Renzo’s famous athletes include former UFC athlete Matt Serra, Jiu Jitsu and MMA legend Roger Gracie, Jiu Jitsu mastermind John Danaher, and more.
Currently, Renzo has 70 active affiliates across the globe — including Renzo Gracie Spokane Valley. Through affiliation with Renzo Gracie, RGSV has become part of a community of people eager to support each other.
A new, exciting relationship is that with Renzo Gracie Snoqualmie and its head professors Casey and Lindsay Stentz. Both professors are teaching a seminar at RGSV’s summer belt promotions.
Professors Casey and Lindsay Stentz’s seminar will take place on Saturday, June 13 at the gym. The youth seminar starts at 11:30 a.m. with the adult seminar following at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person.
