JustKeepTrainingJiuJitsu

Portrait of Rolls Gracie

Rolls Gracie

The Innovator of Modern BJJ

"The King of the Mats"

Legacy

Rolls Gracie was the bridge between old-school Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the modern sport we know today. His innovative spirit and willingness to learn from other martial arts revolutionized BJJ technique and training methods. Though his life was cut short, his influence shaped an entire generation of champions and masters.

Teaching Philosophy

Rolls believed in constantly evolving and adapting techniques through cross-training and experimentation. He encouraged his students to think creatively, question traditional methods, and never stop learning. His open-minded approach broke barriers and incorporated elements from wrestling, sambo, and judo into BJJ.

Classic Techniques

  • Modern Guard Development
  • Wrestling Integration
  • Submission Chain Combinations
  • Athletic Training Methods

Notable Students

  • Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza – Renowned MMA fighter and BJJ competitor
  • Ricardo de la Riva – Innovator of the famous De La Riva guard
  • Pedro Valente – Influential BJJ competitor and coach
  • Mario Claudio Tallarico – Early BJJ competitor and instructor
  • Maurício Gomes – One of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Europe

"The day you think you know everything is the day you stop evolving."

— Rolls Gracie