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    • Carlson Gracie

    Brazil
    b. 1932-08-13, Rio de JaneiroBorn 1932-08-13, Rio de Janeiro
    d. 2006-02-01, Chicago, IllinoisDied 2006-02-01, Chicago, Illinois
    id_cardfamily_historyconversion_path
    workspace_premium69.0 · Major

    Description

    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grandmaster and head of the Carlson Gracie Academy. Eldest son of Carlos Gracie and nephew of Hélio Gracie, he developed the Carlson Gracie Team's distinct "warrior style" emphasizing physical prowess and aggression. An MMA pioneer, he trained numerous champions including Vitor Belfort.

    Teachers (2)

    • Carlos Gracie
      sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable
      Probable
      His own words, as a student reports them; the Wikipedia infobox lists it, unsourced.
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      (1940)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      His own words, as a student reports them; the Wikipedia infobox lists it, unsourced.
      “Teachers: Carlos Gracie, Helio Gracie”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Carlson Gracie. Wikipedia (English)link history info
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “We’d be talking and I’d say, “… your dad? What about Helio?” And Carlson would go “Tio Helio é o caralho! quem me ensinou foi meu pai” (Uncle Helio no way! My father was the one who taught me).”
      — 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 Possiblebalance
      Possible – conflicting evidence recorded
      The Wikipedia infobox lists it, unsourced; Carlson himself credited only his father.
      Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.
      (1940)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      The Wikipedia infobox lists it, unsourced; Carlson himself credited only his father.
      “Teachers: Carlos Gracie, Helio Gracie”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Carlson Gracie. Wikipedia (English)link history info
      blockdisputesvisibilityFirst-hand
      “We’d be talking and I’d say, “… your dad? What about Helio?” And Carlson would go “Tio Helio é o caralho! quem me ensinou foi meu pai” (Uncle Helio no way! My father was the one who taught me).”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

    Ranks (1)

    • sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu
      receipt_longRed belt, degree 9 Probable
      Probable
      Wikipedia confirms 9th degree red belt rank
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      BJJ Ranking System
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Wikipedia confirms 9th degree red belt rank
      “Rank 9th deg. BJJ red belt”
      — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Carlson Gracie. Wikipedia (English)link history info

    Students (13)

    • person
      Wallid Ismail
      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.
      (1983)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Single source.
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “This was in 1983. Fortunately, I ended up in Copacabana and when I went around asking where the Gracies taught, I was pointed to Carlson’s gym.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
      “He is also the founder and owner of the MMA promotion Jungle-Fight, holds a rank of black-belt under Carlson”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Vitor Belfort
      sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable
      Probable
      Belfort trained under Carlson Gracie at the Carlson Gracie Academy, well-documented in MMA history
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      location_onCarlson Gracie Academy badge (1995–2000)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Belfort trained under Carlson Gracie at the Carlson Gracie Academy, well-documented in MMA history
      “Rank Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlson Gracie”
      — Vitor Belfort (Wikipedia EN)link history
    • Rolls 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
    • person
      Paulo Filho
      sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Possible
      Possible
      Single source; it implies the relation but does not state it.
      Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Single source; it implies the relation but does not state it.
      alt_routeIndirect
      “Paulo Filho is one of the most successful MMA fighters of the 2000s and a known representative of Carlson Gracie’s team.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
      alt_routeIndirect
      “Carlson and Paulão Filho when he was 16 years old.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization 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.
      (1976)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      His own account only.
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “In 1976 I went to Carlson, because overall, I thought Carlson’s game was more efficient.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Orlando Saraiva
      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.
      “Later, Saraiva trained and taught under Carlson as well.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Murilo Bustamante
      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.
      (1977)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Single source.
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “I began training in 1977 when I was 10-11 years old. My older brothers took me to train with Carlson at the Figueiredo de Magalhães academy.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
      “He is a black-belt under Carlson Gracie”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Luis Carlos Valois
      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.
      “Valois is a [...] black-belt and long-time student and friend of Carlson.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Ignácio Aragão
      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
      2 sources expand_more
      fact_check
      Single source.
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “My coach, Alvaro Barreto, was an outstanding teacher but after a while there weren’t too many guys to train with so I went over to Carlson’s school.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
      “Aragão is one of Carlson’s old time black-belts”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Fernando Pinduka
      sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable
      Probable
      Own account only.
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      (1968–1988)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Own account only.
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “As I said before, I met Carlson in 1968, starting as his student when I was only 14. I trained under him for 20 years, from 1968 to 1988.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Arthur Virgílio Neto
      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.
      (1965)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      His own account only.
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “After, around 1965 or 1966 I began training with Carlson.”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      Antonio Carlos Rosado
      sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable
      Probable
      Own account, with the author's introduction from the same interview.
      The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.
      (1967)
      fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
      Frederico Muñoz
      Researcher, Martialis
      1 source expand_more
      fact_check
      Own account, with the author's introduction from the same interview.
      visibilityFirst-hand
      “I still have a receipt signed by Carlson when I signed up to train with him in 1967 at the time he was still partnered with Carley [Gracie].”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
    • person
      André Pederneiras
      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.
      “André received his black-belt by the hands of Carlson Gracie in December 1988”
      — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

    Sources

    Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Carlson Gracie. Wikipedia (English)link history info

    Identifiers

    https://martial.is/entity/01KYQB8J2NN336ZJWGQW3YH95E
    Wikidata

    Cite and reuse

    CC BY-SA 4.0expand_more
    Plain text
    Muñoz, Frederico (YEAR_PLACEHOLDER). Carlson Gracie. In Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database. https://martial.is/entity/01KYQB8J2NN336ZJWGQW3YH95E - CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER.
    BibTeX
    @incollection{martialis_01KYQB8J2NN336ZJWGQW3YH95E, author = {Muñoz, Frederico}, title = {Carlson Gracie}, booktitle = {Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database}, year = {YEAR_PLACEHOLDER}, url = {https://martial.is/entity/01KYQB8J2NN336ZJWGQW3YH95E}, urldate = {ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}, note = {CC BY-SA 4.0} }
    data_object JSON-LDdata_object Turtle

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