Mitsuyo Maeda
Mitsuyo Maeda, also known as "Conde Koma" (Count Combat), was a Japanese judoka and prizefighter born in 1878. A prominent student of Judo founder Jigoro Kano, Maeda was instrumental in disseminating Judo and its grappling techniques across the globe, particularly through his extensive travels and participation in "no-holds-barred" competitions against practitioners of various martial arts like boxing and wrestling. He settled in Brazil in the early 20th century, where he famously taught his grappling art to Carlos Gracie, laying the foundational groundwork for what would evolve into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Maeda's legacy is profound, as he is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the development of both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a pioneer of early mixed martial arts.
Daniel Gracie Delco’s Lineage
Carlos Gracie Sr.
Carlos Gracie Sr. (1902-1994) was a Brazilian martial artist and the patriarch of the renowned Gracie family, widely credited as one of the primary developers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As a teenager, he learned Judo (then often referred to as "jiu-jitsu") from Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka. Carlos, along with his younger brothers, particularly Hélio Gracie, adapted and refined these techniques, emphasizing leverage and ground fighting over brute strength, making it effective for smaller individuals against larger opponents. In 1925, he established the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro, promoting the art through open challenges and managing his brothers' fight careers. Carlos Gracie also developed the "Gracie Diet," a nutritional philosophy that became integral to the Gracie lifestyle, and his visionary approach laid the foundation for the global spread and success of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Carlos Gracie Jr.
Carlos Gracie Jr., affectionately known as "Carlinhos," is an influential figure in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, born in 1956 as the son of Carlos Gracie Sr. Building upon the legacy of his father and uncles, particularly Hélio and Rolls Gracie, Carlos Jr. became a leading proponent of the art's global expansion. He is best known as the founder of Gracie Barra, one of the largest and most widespread Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organizations worldwide, with hundreds of academies across the globe. Beyond Gracie Barra, he also established the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and the Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu (CBJJ), which are the leading governing bodies for BJJ competitions, standardizing rules and organizing major tournaments. His vision and entrepreneurial spirit have been instrumental in transforming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a family martial art into a globally recognized sport and lifestyle.
Renzo Gracie
Renzo Gracie, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1967, is a prominent third-generation member of the illustrious Gracie family, a grandson of Carlos Gracie Sr., and son of Robson Gracie. A highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and mixed martial artist, Renzo has competed in numerous top-tier organizations including the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships, demonstrating the effectiveness of his family's art on a global stage. Beyond his fighting career, he is renowned for pioneering the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States, establishing the highly influential Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City in the 1990s, which has become a cornerstone for the martial art's expansion and produced numerous world-class competitors and coaches. Known for his charismatic personality and deep understanding of Jiu-Jitsu, Renzo Gracie continues to be a pivotal figure in the martial arts community, upholding the Gracie legacy and influencing countless practitioners worldwide.
ryan Gracie
Ryan Gracie was A grandson of Carlos Gracie Sr. and brother to Renzo and Ralph Gracie, Ryan was known for his aggressive, "pitbull" fighting style, both inside the ring and often outside of it. He competed in major MMA organizations like PRIDE FC, where he earned a reputation as a tough and fearless competitor. Ryan was also instrumental in expanding Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, particularly in São Paulo, where he co-founded an academy with his brother Ralph, which produced numerous champions.
Daniel Gracie
Daniel Gracie is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and mixed martial artist, and a cousin to Renzo, Ralph, and Ryan Gracie. training seriously from a young age under Carlos Gracie Jr. at Gracie Barra. A multi-time Brazilian National Champion and a World Champion as a brown belt, Daniel earned his black belt in 1996. He transitioned to mixed martial arts, competing in prominent organizations like PRIDE FC and Bellator, known for his submission prowess. Beyond competition, Daniel Gracie has become a dedicated instructor, establishing his own academies and contributing significantly to the global spread of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by continuing the Gracie family's legacy of teaching and developing the art.
Brett LineBarger
Brett began his combat sports journey at Ewing High School as a 3 year starter on the wrestling team. In 2005 he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, first at Chuck Doyle's BJJ club and then with Pat Stano. From there he took up boxing and kickboxing in preparation for MMA competition, where he competed at both the amateur and professional levels. It was at this point that his passion for coaching was realized. In 2015, as a purple belt, Brett started training with Daniel Gracie, earning his brown belt 18 months later. It was in 2017 that he earned his black belt, and began teaching classes and training others in earnest. He's worked with a variety of athletes, ranging from MMA fighters to adults preparing for their first jiu-jitsu competition.