Renzo Gracie

Renzo Gracie, grandson to Carlos Gracie and cousin to Roger, Renzo is 2 x ADCC Champion. Renzo’s name is synonymous with Vale-Tudo, the ‘No Holds Barred’ style of fighting in Brazil that is the origin of today’s global phenomenon of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He has fought all over the world for such organisations as Pride FC and UFC. He pioneered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in America when he founded The Renzo Gracie Academy in New York in the 1990s. Renzo is coach and mentor to Matt Sera, a former UFC Champion, John Danaher, the Jiu Jitsu coach to UFC champions Georges St Pierre and Chris Weidman, Shawn Williams and Ricardo Almeida to black belt and of course Roger Gracie 10 x Jiu Jitsu World Champion. Renzo is a great example of what a martial artist can be. Armed with total belief in the system he and his family evolved and gave to the world. During the course of the Tradition documentary project Renzo made time for the project and opened his mats to the intrusion of cameras. His generosity of spirit and those of all the Gracie family members who contributed made this twelve year in the making documentary something unique to make and perhaps to watch.