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
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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
(1951–1970)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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
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Osvaldo Alves
sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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”
“After Reyson, came Rolles Gracie; who surprised everybody. He adapted well to
judo and became University and State of Rio de Janeiro Judo champion.”
Ranks (1)
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receipt_longBlack belt
Confirmed
BJJ Ranking System
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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
“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
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
“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
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
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
(1974–1982)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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
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Rigan Machado
sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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.”
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Renzo Gracie
sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu
Confirmed
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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)”
-
person
Otávio Peixotinho
sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu
Probable
(1974)
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
1 source
expand_more
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
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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”
“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
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Carlos Gracie Jr.
sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu
Probable
fact_checkassessed by FSMverified
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
Identifiers
https://martial.is/entity/01KYZ31HT3D978KY5GPZAGKV5G
Cite and reuse
CC BY-SA 4.0expand_more
Plain text
Muñoz, Frederico (YEAR_PLACEHOLDER). Rolls Gracie. In Martialis: Martial Arts
Lineage Database. https://martial.is/entity/01KYZ31HT3D978KY5GPZAGKV5G - CC
BY-SA 4.0. Accessed ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER.
BibTeX
@incollection{martialis_01KYZ31HT3D978KY5GPZAGKV5G, author = {Muñoz, Frederico},
title = {Rolls Gracie}, booktitle = {Martialis: Martial Arts Lineage Database},
year = {YEAR_PLACEHOLDER}, url =
{https://martial.is/entity/01KYZ31HT3D978KY5GPZAGKV5G}, urldate =
{ACCESSED_DATE_PLACEHOLDER}, note = {CC BY-SA 4.0} }
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