Renzo Gracie Academy Jiu-Jitsu Schools Contributions, History & Legacy

Renzo Gracie Academy is the thirteenth-best academy according to the IBJJF ranking . It was founded by one of the graceful personalities of the Gracie family, Renzo Gracie in 1996. Renzo Gracie Academy trained various big names including John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, and various others.

“Renzo Gracie Academy owns approximately 66 affiliated schools in various countries including the USA, Canada, Cyprus, Mexico, Singapour, Peru, and South Africa. In the US, they have 52 schools to serve BJJ and other Martial Arts.”

Renzo Gracie who is the founder of Renzo Gracie Academy is a living legend who is also considered one of the esteemed pioneers of BJJ. Renzo Gracie is not only the best grappler but also a great instructor who trained various big names in the grappling world.

Renzo Gracie Received his Black Belt from Carlos Gracie Junior. He received his Coral Belt from Rickson Gracie on 18 January 2023. He was inducted into the ADCC Hall of Fame  on 21 February 2022.

Renzo Gracie is a big name among the contemporary Gracies who fought for the outspread of BJJ in the world. He defeated Russian fighter Oleg Taktarov within one minute of the first round. After his historic victory, he was invited by the Japanese to defend Gracie's combat sports. He again executed his best performance and successfully won against the challenger.

Renzo Gracie is a 2-times ADCC champion of 1998 and 2000 and a 5-time ADCC veteran. He is a five-time Copa Atlantico Sul Champion. He is also a UFC star. Renzo Gracie is honored to have an achievement that he has never submitted in BJJ.

Renzo Gracie online Academy is also offering 30+ online training programs and more than 5 weekly classes. On the official website of Renzo Gracie online academy, you will find video content about BJJ training. You can attend five lessons per week. Course videos provide basic to expert-level BJJ training.

But there is no information about ranking on their official website which means they are not offering any online belt system or ranking system.

Renzo Gracie Academy has been serving Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts for decades. Now the academy has made its place in the names of the top leading BJJ academies of the World. The mission of Renzo Gracie Academy is

The history of Renzo Gracie Academy started in 1996 when Renzo Gracie initiated his services for BJJ in New York. Renzo Gracie who won various championships and was one of the best grapplers wanted to spread the sports initiated by his ancestors. So he initiated his own academy to fulfill his dream

Renzo Gracie Academy was not initiated where it is located these days. The Renzo Gracie Academy is located at 224 West 30th Street NY 10001.

When someone entered the gym, his eyes would be glued to the gym’s notice, “Gracie Challenge”. Gracie Challenge was a type of invitation for everyone who entered the gym. The challenge is to fight and beat one of the practitioners of the gym. If the challenge holder did not have any martial arts experience, they are allowed to fight with someone with a Blue Belt.

The Gracie's Challenge is not available now, but if you are interested and want to see the previous fights of Gracie's Challenge, you can see recorded matches.

The greatest coach of all time, John Danaher started his career with Renzo Academy. He could not participate in BJJ fights due to the problem of deformed patellas that became the cause of his knee injury later. However, after completing his Master in Philosophy from the University of Auckland, started BJJ practice and without participating  in any BJJ fight, John learned the essentials of BJJ from Renzo Gracie and started BJJ instructorship. Now Professor John is considered as one of the top elite Gi, No-Gi, MMA, and Olympian trainers on the planet. Produced various big names in the BJJ & MMA. Danaher received his Black Belt in 2002 but he started his coaching career when he was a Purple Belt. Danaher’s Death Squad also originated in Renzo Gracie Academy but was met with unexpected consequences.

John has trained many legends who earned big names in the grappling and MMA world including Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Nick Rodriguez, Craig Jones, Nicky Ryan, and Ethan Crelinsten in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Georges St-Pierre, Chris Weidman, and Jake Shields in MMA

Renzo Gracie Academy is not only making its name in the field of BJJ but also producing various MMA fighters. Renzo Gracie Academy offers four training programs.Renzo Gracie Academy also has specialists, instructors, and coaches. The BJJ and MMA programs offered at Renzo Gracie Academy are:

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Muay Thai
• Submission Grappling
• KidJitsu

The headquarters of Renzo Gracie Academy is located at 224 West 30th Street NY 10001.

Renzo Gracie Academy has approximately 66 affiliate branches around the world. Here we have complete information that about which country they have their branches.

Renzo Gracie Academy has an expert team of instructors who have a lot of specialties in BJJ and Muay Thai. They have a list of instructors who are working in Renzo Gracie Academy and giving their best training to their students.

1. Mike Jaramillo (5th Degree Black Belt)
2. Rafael Costa (Black Belt)
3. Robson Gracie Jr. (Black Belt)
4. Bridget Grace (Black Belt)
5. Fabio Coelho (3rd Degree Black Belt)
6. Daniel Paulino (Black Belt)
7. Rafael “Sapo” Natal (3rd Degree Black Belt)
8. Royce Chen (1st Degree Black Belt)
9. Eric Sherman (3rd Degree Black Belt)
10. Danny Scanno (Brown Belt)
11. Rayron Gracie (Brown Belt)
12. Peyton Letcher (Brown Belt)

1. Joe Sampieri
2. Jamie Crowder
3. Mike McKee
4. Elijah Clarke
5. P.J. McMahon
6. Kendu Irving
7. Mark Marrero
8. Kenneth Borrero

John Danaher is the most well-known and talented BJJ and MMA coach. He trained and received his Black Belt from Renzo Gracie.John Danaher never appeared in any BJJ or MMA tournament. But his coaching skills made his students like Gordon Rayan (BJJ) and Georges St-Pierre (MMA) stand and shine above and beyond any normal martial art standards.

Ricardo Almeida (Cachorrao), another Black Belt of Renzo Gracie, is a well-known fighter in both BJJ and UFC tournaments. He also proved his skills in the arena of fighting and coaching and trained various famous fighters. He is twice CBJJ Brazilian National Champion, IBJJF Pans Champion, and runner up and Bronze of ADCC.

A No-Gi Champion, Gordon Ryan also arose from Renzo Gracie Academy. He is one of the students of John Danaher. He has a long list of achievements. Gordon Ryan is a three-time ADCC champion and once ADCC Super fight winner. Gordon Ryan is also World and Pans Champion.

Garry Tonon, “the Lion Killer” is a student of Ricardo Almeida and represented Renzo Gracie Academy in the international circuit. He executed his best fighting skills in World, Pans, and ADCC tournaments. Garry Tonon has a high submission rate and is famous for his inside-heel hook style.

Nick Rodriguez is also known as “The Black Belt” Slayer as he started beating Black Belt in his starting training days. He received Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in the ADCC championships.

Matt Serra is a 5th Degree Black Belt under Renzo Gracie. He represented Renzo Gracie Academy in the international circuit. The list of achievements of Matt Serra is too long. He is the World champion, Pans Champion and ADCC Champion. Matt Serra is also one who is inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Renzo Gracie Academy has been serving Jiu-Jitsu since the early 1990s and training great grapplers and UFC Champions. Renzo Gracie started his gym in New York and made it the fundamental center for Jiu-Jitsu in the US.

Over time, affiliation branches of Renzo Gracie Academy spread across various countries of the world. Renzo Gracie Academy also offers online training sessions to BJJ lovers who want to learn BJJ at the ease of their home.

Master Renzo Gracie provides a home-like environment in the academy and all the staff members and students are treated like a family. They do not just train their students to be perfect on the mat but also teach them to be the best in their lives.

Photo Credit: @renzogracieacademy