Rolls Gracie · Lineage tree

Description

Brazilian martial artist and member of the Gracie family, considered by some the family's best ever fighter. He trained under Helio Gracie and graduated a generation of jiu-jitsu black belts, including Carlos Gracie Jr., Rickson Gracie, and the "Famous Five". He died in a hang-gliding accident in 1982.

Teachers (5)

• 
  Carlson Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Two independent eyewitness accounts.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Two independent eyewitness accounts.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Yes, Rolls had his father-Uncle Hélio as his teacher, but then he started to attend harder training sessions under Carlson, his older brother, who really shaped him and shaped his competitiveness.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “But all of us from the old days know that Rolls went over to train under Carlson after losing to Cícero Sobrinho (Barradas student) and Carlson called him over and said: “If you spend your whole day training self-defense with Uncle Hélio, you will never be good at jiu-jitsu!” And Rolls started to visit Carlson more often, and eventually he ended up becoming a direct student of Carlson.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
• 
  Hélio Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The family's official biography states Rolls was raised for the most part by his uncle Helio Gracie; two other sources corroborate that Helio taught him jiu-jitsu from before he could walk. Period is approximate: birth (1951) through his departure for Carlson Gracie's Copacabana academy around 1970

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1951–1970)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The family's official biography states Rolls was raised for the most part by his uncle Helio Gracie; two other sources corroborate that Helio taught him jiu-jitsu from before he could walk. Period is approximate: birth (1951) through his departure for Carlson Gracie's Copacabana academy around 1970

  “He was the son of Gracie Jiu Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie, although he was raised for the most part by his uncle, Helio Gracie, at Carlos' request”

  — Rolls Gracie Family. Rolls Gracie - Biography (RollsGracie.com)link history info

  “Hélio começou a ensinar jiu-jitsu a Rolls antes do menino aprender a andar. Aos 12, o garoto ajudava o tio nas aulas na Academia Gracie.”

  — Aguinaga, Armando. (2015). Rolls, o Gracie que morreu antes de virar lendalink history info

  “Desde muito novo, antes mesmo de começar a andar Hélio ensinava Jiu Jitsu ao pequeno Rolls, aos 12 anos de idade o garoto já ajudava nas aulas ministradas por seu tio, na Academia Gracie.”

  — BJJ Fanatics BR. Há Exatos 39 Anos Rolls Gracie Nos Deixava - BJJ Fanatics BRlink history info

  “Filho de Carlos criado por Helio Gracie”

  — Graciemag Redação. (2020). As lições de Rolls Gracie, o faixa-preta que morreu jovem e mudou a história do Jiu-Jitsu link history info
• person
  Georges Mehdi

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  Wikipedia lists Georges Mehdi among Rolls Gracie's teachers.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia lists Georges Mehdi among Rolls Gracie's teachers.

  “Teachers Helio Gracie, Georges Mehdi, Bob Anderson”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Rolls Gracie - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
• person
  Bob Anderson

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  Wikipedia lists Bob Anderson among Rolls Gracie's teachers.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia lists Bob Anderson among Rolls Gracie's teachers.

  “Teachers Helio Gracie, Georges Mehdi, Bob Anderson”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Rolls Gracie - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
• 
  Osvaldo Alves

  sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The official Rolls Gracie biography states his first judo cross-training was with Osvaldo Alves; BJJ Heroes and the OnTheMat interview corroborate that Osvaldo introduced the Gracies, including Rolls, to judo

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The official Rolls Gracie biography states his first judo cross-training was with Osvaldo Alves; BJJ Heroes and the OnTheMat interview corroborate that Osvaldo introduced the Gracies, including Rolls, to judo

  “He was the first of the Gracie's to actively seek competitions in Freestyle, Greco Roman and Sambo wrestling as well as Judo. First cross training was with Osvaldo Alves, training with the Judoka in Brazil”

  — Rolls Gracie Family. Rolls Gracie - Biography (RollsGracie.com)link history info

  “The first one to accept to cross train with Alves was Reyson and soon he was followed by a young Rolls Gracie. Rolls adapted extremely well to the Judo game”

  — BJJ Heroes. Osvaldo Alves - BJJ Heroes. BJJ Heroes link history info

  “After Reyson, came Rolles Gracie; who surprised everybody. He adapted well to judo and became University and State of Rio de Janeiro Judo champion.”

  — On The Mat. (2004). Interview with Oswaldo Alves link history info

Lineage

• Brazilian jiu-jitsuCarlson Gracie ← Carlos Gracie · 2 generations
• Kōdōkan JūdōOsvaldo Alves ← Hikari Kurachi ← Yuiti Hashizume · 3 generations

Ranks (1)

• sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu

  receipt_longBlack belt Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Black-belt status is well-attested; the specific promotion date is not documented.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  BJJ Ranking System

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  6 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Black-belt status is well-attested; the specific promotion date is not documented.

  “Rolls graduated 10 black belts in his life time.”

  — Rolls Gracie Family. Rolls Gracie - Biography (RollsGracie.com)link history info

  “only six men hold the high honor of being Rolls Gracie Black Belts”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Rolls Gracie - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info

  “He was a black belt.”

  — BJJ Heroes. Rolls Gracie - BJJ Heroes. BJJ Heroes link history info

  “As lições de Rolls Gracie, o faixa-preta que morreu jovem e mudou a história do Jiu-Jitsu”

  — Graciemag Redação. (2020). As lições de Rolls Gracie, o faixa-preta que morreu jovem e mudou a história do Jiu-Jitsu link history info

  “Aos 16 anos já era faixa preta”

  — BJJ Fanatics BR. Há Exatos 39 Anos Rolls Gracie Nos Deixava - BJJ Fanatics BRlink history info

  “Aos 16 anos, faixa preta e com inglês fluente”

  — Aguinaga, Armando. (2015). Rolls, o Gracie que morreu antes de virar lendalink history info

Students (8)

• person
  Sergio Malibu

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  Single source.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Single source.

  “Sergio Malibu trained as a blue-belt under Rolls and is a well-known figure in the jiu-jitsu community in Rio. After the death of Rolls, Malibu became a student of Rickson”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
• person
  Royler Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  His own account only.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  His own account only.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Rolls, with whom I trained with a lot when I was a kid, then I began training with Rickson.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
• 
  Romero Cavalcanti

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  BJJ Heroes and Elite Sports, two independent sources, both directly state Cavalcanti received his black belt from Rolls Gracie in 1982, the last black belt Rolls ever awarded; BJJ Heroes also covers the 1974 restart of training with Rolls

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1974–1982)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  BJJ Heroes and Elite Sports, two independent sources, both directly state Cavalcanti received his black belt from Rolls Gracie in 1982, the last black belt Rolls ever awarded; BJJ Heroes also covers the 1974 restart of training with Rolls

  “In 1982 Jacare Romero was awarded his Black Belt by the hands of Rolls Gracie, being the last Black Belt ever awarded by the legendary martial arts figure, the last of a very strict group of 5.”

  — BJJ Heroes. Romero Jacare Cavalcanti (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroeslink history info

  “Under the intense and expert guidance and training of Rolls Gracie, Romero Cavalcanti earned his Black Belt in 1982 from the legendary Rolls Gracie. Romero was also the last BJJ fighter awarded a Black Belt by Rolls Gracie.”

  — Master Romero Cavalcanti: The Last Black Belt of Rolls Gracielink history info
• 
  Rigan Machado

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  BJJ Heroes states Rigan started training with Rolls Gracie in his mid-teens and stayed with him until Rolls' death in 1982; the Wikipedia infobox also lists Rolls Gracie among his teachers

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  BJJ Heroes states Rigan started training with Rolls Gracie in his mid-teens and stayed with him until Rolls' death in 1982; the Wikipedia infobox also lists Rolls Gracie among his teachers

  “He started training with one of his older cousins, who was already a legend of the sport, Rolls Gracie, and stayed with Rolls until his tragic death in 1982.”

  — BJJ Heroes. Rigan Machado (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroes link history info
• 
  Renzo Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  PT Wikipedia states Renzo began jiu-jitsu under Rolls Gracie at the Copacabana academy; corroborated by BJJ Heroes

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  PT Wikipedia states Renzo began jiu-jitsu under Rolls Gracie at the Copacabana academy; corroborated by BJJ Heroes

  “Renzo iniciou o jiu-jitsu com o lendário Rolls Gracie na academia de Copacabana”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Renzo Gracie - Wikipedia (PT). Wikipedia (Portuguese)link history info

  “to of his biggest influences were the legendary Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr (the man who later awarded him his black belt)”

  — BJJ Heroes. Renzo Gracie - BJJ Heroes. BJJ Heroes link history info
• person
  Otávio Peixotinho

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  His own account only.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1974)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  His own account only.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “I first started with Rolls Gracie in 1974.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
• 
  Carlos Machado

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  CMJJ Gear states Carlos was taught and mentored directly by Rolls Gracie in Copacabana, training with him until Rolls' death in 1982, when Carlos was a blue belt

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  CMJJ Gear states Carlos was taught and mentored directly by Rolls Gracie in Copacabana, training with him until Rolls' death in 1982, when Carlos was a blue belt

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “After moving to the southern part of Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana, Master Carlos Machado was taught and mentored directly by the legendary Rolls Gracie. Master Carlos was very close with Rolls, and trained with him until Rolls' sudden and untimely death”

  — CMJJ Gear. History of CMJJ and Statement of Doctrinelinkhistory info

  “Throughout his childhood and early life in Jiu-Jitsu, his main instructor was his cousin, Carlos Gracie Jr but he has also trained with Helio, Carlson, Rolls and Rickson Gracie at various points during his development.”

  — Lindsey, Alex. (2020). Carlos Machado Receives His Red And White Coral Belt (Jitsmagazine). Jits Magazinelink history info
• 
  Carlos Gracie Jr.

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  His own account; Wikipedia's infobox row is not a second source.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  location_onAcademia Carlson Gracie (Figueiredo de Magalhães) badge

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  His own account; Wikipedia's infobox row is not a second source.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “I began training in Copacabana [at the Figueiredo Academy] to be near Rolls as a brown-belt and one day he suggested to Uncle Helio that it was time and that I was ready for my black-belt.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

  “While two of Rolls’ main students went on to become very successful competition team leaders, yourself and Carlinhos.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

  “Style Brazilian jiu-jitsu Teachers Carlos Gracie and Rolls Gracie”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Carlos Gracie Jr. - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info

Sources

Identifiers