Relson Gracie

Relson "Campeão" Gracie is a professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter and martial arts personality. He is a member of the Gracie family. Relson currently lives alternatively in Hawaii and Brazil where he still teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at his academy in Honolulu and Rio de Janeiro. There are many Relson Gracie affiliated academies and associations throughout the U.S. which keep him traveling regularly.

Relson Gracie
Born (1953-03-28) March 28, 1953
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesCampeão [Champion]
ResidenceAiea, Hawaii, United States
StyleBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Teacher(s)Helio Gracie
Rank     9th Degree Red Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1]

Relson is the second oldest son of Helio Gracie, who along with Carlos Gracie, is credited for creating 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 23.[2] He went 22 years undefeated as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion.[3]

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.

On April 6, 2013 Relson was promoted to rank of grandmaster (red belt) the highest possible belt awarded to living individuals in Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Relson 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.

Biography

Beginnings

Relson was born in 1953, a year after the Gracies opened Academia Gracie in Rio de Janeiro, 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 "Campeão," 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 academy, Ilha Clube Jardim Guanabara (ICJG). During this time Relson taught at both ICJG and Academia Gracie Humaita.

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 Janeiro, Brazil. In 1982 Relson and his younger brother 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 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, California 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.

Involvement with MMA

In 1993, The Ultimate Fighting Championship 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 the new emphasis on grappling training for other competitors (and UFC's rule change for UFC 5), some of Relson's techniques are no longer acceptable.

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 Goo and Kelly Matsukawa, took first and second place in the Adult Blue Belt Pessidissimo division.[4]

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.[5]

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.

In January 25th, 2020, Relson got arrested in a bus in Rio, Brazil, on charges of drug trafficking. This was based on him carrying various forms of medical marijuana, which he obtained legally with a prescription, and which had been legalized in Brazil in December 2019. He was released less than a week later.[6][7][8]

Black Belts under Relson

There are many black belts 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:[9][10]
Name - School/Affiliation - City, State - Date of promotion to Black Belt

  • Steve Maxwell - MaxwellSC - Philadelphia, PA - 11/2000[11]
  • Scott DeVine - Devine Jiu-Jitsu- Brunswick, GA - 3/2003
  • F M - Relson Gracie - Honolulu - 3/2003
  • Jeff Hudson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 3/2003 [12]
  • Phil Migliarese (6th Degree) - Balance Studios - Philadelphia, PA - 3rd, 3/2003 [13]
  • Andre Derizans - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI, 3rd, 3/2003
  • Sam Mahi - Relson Gracie - 7th Degree, 4/14/04
  • Rick Migliarese (5th Degree) - Balance Studios - Philadelphia, PA - 1st, 2005 [13]
  • Kofi Debrah - Relson Gracie - 9/28/05
  • Robin Gieseler - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 2006 (started 94) [14]
  • Ronn Shiraki - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI - 6th degree, 6/5/06 [15]
  • Kimo Kreis - Relson Gracie Academy - Kaneohe, HI - 6th degree 6/5/06
  • Phil Cardella (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy Austin - Austin, TX - 6/5/06 [16]
  • Mike Onzuka - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 4/4/07 [17]
  • Garth Spendiff - Coastal Combatives Inc - Savannah, Georgia - 8/25/07 [18]
  • Vince Panzano - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - ?
  • Lionel Perez - North Florida Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Jacksonville, FL - ? [19]
  • Richard Giberson (1st Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy Austin - Austin, TX - 10/8/07 [16]
  • Nathan Zigler - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 1/26/2008 [20]
  • Toney Waldecker (5th Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy - Sunderland, MD - 4/18/08 [21][22]
  • David Wilson - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/24/08
  • Shawn Chitwood - Team Chitwood - Columbus, OH - 11/14/08 [23]
  • Steve Hordinski (3rd Degree) - Katharo Training Center - Littleton, CO - 1/17/09 (no longer affiliated)
  • Michael Casey - Gracie Jiu Jitsu New York - Bronx, NY - 3rd Degree 1/24/09 (started 1994; opened school 1999)
  • Chris Onzuka - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/11/09
  • Shane Agena - 02 Martial Arts Academy - Aiea, HI - 2/11/09
  • Reyn Morimoto - Relson Gracie Academy - Honolulu, HI - 2/18/09
  • Todd Tanaka (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie/Team HK Jiu Jitsu - Honolulu, HI - 7/22/09 [24]
  • Jay Dennis- Relson Gracie Myrtle Beach South Carolina / 8/9/2009
  • Rodrigo Salazar - Denver Jiu Jitsu Academy - Denver, CO - 3th degree 10/24/09
  • Heath Wigginton - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, Az - 12/16/10
  • 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 [25]
  • Jeff Furuta - Relson Gracie/Gracie Uptown - Honolulu, HI - 2nd Degree, 6/22/11 [26]
  • Kaleo Auwae (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie/Team Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu- Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [27]
  • Josh Lauber (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
  • Rhalan Gracie - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
  • Kaleo Hosaka - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
  • Gye Nitta - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/22/11 [28]
  • Jim Hannan - Relson Gracie - Relson Gracie DC - Fairfax county, Va -7/13/11
  • Dan Wallen (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie - Fightworks Academy - Greenville, SC - 7/13/11 [29]
  • Tom Feister - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 7/29/11
  • Stuart Ramos - Team Maryland BJJ, Towson MD, - 12/2/11 [30]
  • Paul Kimo Kalaiwaa - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI 2011
  • Craig Chitwood- Team Chitwood - Mansfield, OH - 1/20/12 [23]
  • Doug Moore-Relson Gracie-Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ 1/28/2012
  • Dave Patton (3rd Degree) - Relson Gracie - Fightworks - Sterling, Va - 03/12 [29]
  • John-Michael Kaleikini (3rd degree) - Gracie Florida Jiu-Jitsu, Ormond Beach, FL - 03/26/12
  • Kayle Quinn - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 5/30/2012
  • Makena White - Relson Gracie Association Honolulu, HI - 6/6/12
  • Brad Scott - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI -6/11/2012
  • Christopher R. Laird - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 6/11/2012
  • Christina (Thomas) Del Guidice - Empire Jiu Jitsu - Austin, TX - 6/19/2012 [31]
  • Steven Abood - Tokyo, Japan 8/18/12
  • Mark Stefanac - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 2/2/13
  • Neil Chitwood - Team Chitwood - Lexington, OH 4/6/2013
  • David Tabron - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 5/6/13
  • Tracy Hopkins - Bushido Martial Arts - Columbus, OH - 5/7/13
  • Kyle Spendiff - Gracie Jiu Jitsu Maryland - Clarksville, MD - 11/1/13
  • Jerry Brewer- Gracie Charleston-Charleston, SC-12/03/2013[32]
  • Robert Moss - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI - 4/2/2014
  • Chris Spicer - Relson Gracie Waco - Waco, TX - May 2014
  • Greg Bartman - Bartman MMA and Self-Defense - Silver Spring, MD - 5/13/2014 [33]
  • Jim Thrift (2nd Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 6/18/2014 [34]
  • Josh Simon (2nd Degree) - Relson Gracie Academy, North Columbus Chapter - Columbus, OH - 10/2/14 (Black Belt originally awarded by Gracie Barra. First degree awarded by Relson - 3/6/17)
  • Scott Phillips - Danger Academy / Wylie, Tx. 1/15/15
  • Marco Moreno - The Basics Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu - Leesburg, Virginia 03/27/15
  • Michael Cassesa - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 3/28/15
  • Nick Goldizen - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio 3/28/15
  • Rod Amano - Relson Gracie - Honolulu, HI 8/26/2015
  • Gabriel Obiedo (1st Degree) - Relson Gracie Austin - Austin, Texas 09/02/2015
  • George Mathai (1st Degree) - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Antonio - San Antonio, Texas 9/2/15
  • Paul Joyner - Relson Gracie601 - Meridian, Ms 11/11/2015
  • Jason Dodd - Global Mixed Martial Arts Academy - Gainesville, Fl - 2015
  • Eric Smith- Relson Gracie- Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ 2/2/2016
  • Ron Aderhold - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, OH - 2/13/16
  • Doug Kalin - Relson Gracie Cleveland - Cleveland, OH - 2/13/16
  • Dave Futa - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 5/17/16
  • Mike Tran (1st Degree) - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 6/14/2016 [34]
  • AJ Mendoza - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 11/25/16
  • Drew Arthur - Relson Gracie Tyler / Lone Star MMA Academy, (GracieTyler.com)Tyler TX - 1/1/2017
  • Desmond Thain - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 11/28/17
  • Kevin Tang - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI - 12/9/2017
  • Zachary Pang - Relson Gracie Team HK - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
  • Christopher Slavens - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
  • Travis Kashiwa - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
  • Andrew Kawada - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
  • Grant Arakawa - Relson Gracie O2 Martial Arts Academy - Honolulu, HI 12/27/2017
  • Patrick Gaul Jr. (1st Degree) - Team No Quarter - Hurricane, WV - 02/22/2018 Team No Quarter
  • Eric Olson - Gracie Combat - Ashburn, VA - 02/22/2018
  • Isaac Ike Haertel - Kogen Dojo-Relson Gracie - Severna Park, MD - 02/27/2018
  • Blayne Barlow - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
  • Conor Waffle - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
  • Dan Radoff - (1st Degree)Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
  • Michael Morales - Relson Gracie- Gracie Arizona-Phoenix, AZ - 03/20/2018
  • James Watkins - Relson Gracie - Relson Gracie - 03/24/2018
  • Mitchell Johnson - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/18/2018
  • Phil Baltunado - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/26/2018
  • Justin Nihei - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/26/2018
  • John Gilbert - Relson Gracie - Columbia, MD - 11/9/2018
  • John O'Brien - Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu NY- Bronx, NY - 11/14/2018. First student of www.gracieny.com
  • David Caraulia - Relson Gracie - Waterfront - Honolulu, HI - 02/26/2019
  • Josh Harrold - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
  • Jack Notebaert - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
  • Seta Reupenny - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019 (Gracie Arizona's 1st and Relson's 2nd Female Black Belt)
  • Juan Berumen - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
  • Adrian Berumen - Relson Gracie - Gracie Arizona - Phoenix, AZ - 3/7/2019
  • Tori Garten - Bartman MMA and Self-Defense - Silver Spring, MD - 3/27/2019
  • Seth Caron - Calvert MMA Academy / Lineage BJJ - Sunderland, MD - 3/28/2019 [34]
  • Julio Lima - Relson Gracie Curitiba - BRAZIL - 4/27/19
  • Michael Stewart jr.- Rising Tide Academy - Columbia Maryland.-4/27/19
  • Carter Lee - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019
  • Shane Nakagawara - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019
  • Antonio Criado - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI - 10/8/2019
  • Kalani Pacyau - Relson Gracie - RSA - Honolulu, HI -10/8/2019
  • Chad Kam - Relson Gracie/Team Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu- Honolulu, HI - 11/27/19
  • Phil Clark - Phil Clark's Martial Arts Academy/Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky - Ashland, KY - 12/10/19

Personal

Relson has five children: Karina, Rishna, Rhalan, Kailani and Ka'ena (all Brazilians). He also has 3 grandkids (all Americans). He travels the world teaching seminars. Relson received his 9th degree red belt from his eldest brother Rorion Gracie on April 6, 2013.

References
  1. "EXCLUSIVE - Relson Gracie Receives His Red Belt". Youtube.com. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  2. Archived February 18, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Official Site". Relsongracie.com. 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  4. Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Ordoñez, Milan (2020-01-30). "Relson Gracie released from prison after judge accepts medical cannabis defense". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
  7. "Brazil approves medical marijuana rules, blocks cannabis cultivation". Reuters. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
  8. Cruz, Guilherme (2020-01-29). "Relson Gracie released from jail after judge accepts claim of medicinal cannabis use". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
  9. "UPDATED Complete list of Relson Gracie's Black Belts; all 27 of them!!". Nhbgear.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  10. "Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Associations". Onzuka.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  11. https://overcast.fm/+BoWgRk-W4/12:17
  12. https://web.archive.org/web/20100310230629/http://www.gracieohiobjj.com/instructors.asp. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "Locations". Balance Studios. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/20120817015649/http://www.gracieohio.com/instructors.html. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. "Jiu Jitsu Hawaii | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Honolulu, Hawaii". Ronn Shiraki. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  16. "Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Austin Association - Home". Gracieaustin.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  17. "Jiu Jitsu Instructors". Onzuka.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  18. "A Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Training Association". Coastal Combatives. 1972-08-05. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  19. "Lionel Perez (nfbjj) on Myspace". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  20. "Gracie Arizona". Retrieved 2015-07-13.
  21. "Instructors | Calvert MMA | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai Maryland". Calvert MMA. 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  22. Caleb (2008-04-18). "Congratulations to Toney Waldecker, BJJ Black Belt". Thefightworkspodcast.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  23. Archived February 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  24. "Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Honolulu Hawaii Oahu Team HK Todd Tanaka - This is how we Flow". Teamhk.ning.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  25. "Graciewaikiki.com". Graciewaikiki.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  26. "gracieuptown.com". gracieuptown.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20110303121224/http://www.graciepapakolea.com/. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. "Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Denver Colorado - mixed martial arts (mma) self-defense". Relsongracieacademy.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  29. "Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu | BJJ | GJJ". FightWorks.net. 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  30. "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Mixed Martial Arts | Judo | MMA Towson, Baltimore, Maryland". Team Maryland Bjj. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  31. "Empire Jiu-Jitsu". jiujitsuempire.com. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  32. "Jiu-Jitsu Academy".
  33. "Bartman MMA and Self-Defense". Bartmanmma.com. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  34. http://calvertmma.com/about/instructors/
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