Grandmaster Relson Gracie

9th Degree Red Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

The Gracie Legacy Lives On at Calvert MMA®

When you train at Calvert MMA, you are connected directly to one of the most important figures in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—Grandmaster Relson Gracie, 9th Degree Red Belt and son of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, the founder of modern Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Relson Gracie is widely regarded as one of the greatest competitors and instructors the Gracie family has ever produced. During his competitive career in Brazil, he became Brazilian National Champion for 22 consecutive years, retiring undefeated. His dominance during that era helped shape the technical foundation of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and inspired generations of fighters and instructors around the world.

While many newer practitioners may not realize the impact he had on the art, those who understand the history of Jiu-Jitsu know that Relson Gracie represents one of the purest links to the original Gracie system.

Direct Lineage Matters

For more than three decades, Professor Jim Thrift has trained directly under Grandmaster Relson Gracie. Their relationship goes far beyond occasional seminars. Relson has personally guided Jim’s development, tested his skills, and entrusted him with carrying forward the principles of authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

This direct connection ensures that the techniques taught at Calvert MMA and Lineage BJJ remain rooted in the original system developed by Hélio Gracie and refined by the Gracie family.

Many schools today claim Gracie lineage. Few can say their instruction is still personally overseen and periodically reinforced by a member of the Gracie family itself.

Learning From a Living Legend

Although Grandmaster Relson Gracie now lives in Brazil, he continues to maintain a close relationship with our academy.

Each year he visits Calvert MMA and Lineage BJJ to teach seminars, workshops, and private training sessions, giving our students the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the most influential figures in the history of the art.

These visits allow our instructors and students to refine techniques, ask questions, and ensure that the core principles of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu remain intact within our curriculum.

Very few academies can offer their students the chance to step onto the mats with a 9th Degree Red Belt and direct member of the Gracie family.

Self-Defense and Competition — The Complete System

At Calvert MMA, we believe Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu should be taught as a complete system.

Many modern academies focus exclusively on sport competition and neglect the self-defense foundations that made Gracie Jiu-Jitsu famous. At our academy, students learn both:

• Real-world self-defense rooted in the original Gracie system
• Modern competition techniques used in today’s tournaments

This balanced approach gives students the confidence to protect themselves and their families while also developing the technical skill needed to succeed on the competition mats.

Train Where the Lineage Is Real

When you train at Calvert MMA, you're not just joining another martial arts school.

You're becoming part of a lineage that connects directly back to the Gracie family and the origins of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

And that tradition continues every day on our mats.

Start Your Training at Calvert MMA®

If you’ve ever thought about learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Calvert County or Southern Maryland, now is the perfect time to start.

Begin with our Two-Week New Student Foundations Pass and experience real training with our instructors while learning the fundamentals of authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Start your Two-Week New Student Foundations Pass.

or call us directly:

410-257-5425

Come see why so many students choose Calvert MMA® as their home academy.