Issue 067

November 2010

Carlson Gracie: black sheep of BJJ’s first family and the man behind superstar Vitor Belfort.

Choosing a bulldog for his academy logo perhaps spoke more about Carlson Gracie than anything else. Though a decorated grandmaster of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and the man credited with nurturing the career of former UFC champion Vitor Belfort, it was his reputation for possessing aggressively honest opinions (calling into question the ability of nephew Royce and the integrity of his cousin Rorion but two) that made him known to many. But, there’s far more to the man than mouth.

Carlson was born in August of 1933 in Rio de Janeiro as the eldest son of Carlos Gracie, a co-founder of Gracie jiu-jitsu along with his brother Helio Gracie. “My father taught jiu-jitsu to me ever since I can remember,” Carlson once recounted. “My entire life has been jiu-jitsu.” Being the son of a Gracie jiu-jitsu founder (and by natural extension Brazilian jiu-jitsu founder) Carlson’s destiny was always to become a fighter.

‘Garotão’ (big kid), as he first became known, marked himself as one of the most fearsome warriors of the Gracie jiu-jitsu clan back in 1955 when, at a mere age of 22, he defeated Waldemar Santana, the BJJ turncoat. Santana had trained among the Gracies for 12 years before a disagreement with Helio led the two to engage in a vale tudo bout lasting nearly four hours. Ultimately, Helio succumbed to exhaustion. It gave Santana the victory but also a jiu-jitsu-rules matchup with Carlson later in the year that ended in a draw. Carlson wouldn’t lose to Santana in any of the five rematches (two draws and three wins) and in-turn thoroughly regained his family’s honor.

With those wins over Santana, and subsequent victories over other challengers, Carlson’s fame developed. But, as he grew into his role as a representative of the Gracie family and its combative system, it gradually emerged that he didn’t always agree with his uncle’s interpretation of the art. Helio believed Carlson and his students were using too much strength, straying from the original intention of jiu-jitsu – technique over power. Carlson, however, was always focused on improving himself and his methods and unconcerned with maintaining the Gracie family’s invincible status. Better for Carlson and his fighters to lose against the best and learn from it than to carefully select opponents and never truly progress.

This difference in training methodology became more pronounced in the early ‘70s when the two BJJ figureheads eventually fell out. Carlson opted to found his own academy, the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu School. “It was an instant success. I was a champion, so I was very popular which made for a record number of students within the first month,” stated Carlson years later. He differentiated himself from Helio’s Gracie jiu-jitsu by teaching his students the full breadth of the art. Traditional Gracie jiu-jitsu had chosen to keep the know-how behind advanced techniques close to its chest while only rationing the basics to the general public. “I don’t keep secrets from my students,” Carlson said. “I teach the real jiu-jitsu and the real techniques.”

Carlson set about the process of producing modern-day jiu-jitsu and vale tudo champions. He employed a rigorous training regime for his students that not only led to a high skill level but developed physical attributes.

When the Gracies expanded to America, and Rorion Gracie attempted to trademark the family name, the split widened. At the time, Carlson, who opened an academy in Los Angeles, held nothing back against his cousin. “The problem with him is that he trademarked the name ‘Gracie jiu-jitsu’ in the US... I want nothing to do with Gracie jiu-jitsu. Nowadays, Gracie jiu-jitsu is old. They say that strength doesn’t count, but it does. Maybe it wouldn’t make a difference if the opponent didn’t know anything. If the opponent knows something, then the strength starts to count. Carlson Gracie jiu-jitsu is a combination. It’s endurance [and] technique.”

Carlson Gracie’s students were the living embodiment of his no nonsense philosophy and their success proved his method’s effectiveness. Standout pupils Maurilo Bustamante, Ricardo Liborio, Mario Sperry and Luis Duarte, who did not follow Carlson to America, founded Brazilian Top Team in 2000. It became one of the greatest fighting units in the history of MMA and, along with Chute Boxe, was a dominating force in the Japan-based Pride FC. In 2003 Ricardo Liborio moved on and founded American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, which still supplies some of the finest talent in the UFC. The Rio-based Nova Uniao camp is yet another powerhouse offshoot, boasting Sengoku and WEC champions. Add to those the numerous Carlson Gracie affiliate academies around the world and ‘The Bulldog’s legacy is formidable.

Carlson’s loud voice and fiery temper (many of his black belts were ‘struck off’ after various disagreements) were balanced by an infectious generosity of spirit testified to by his former students. The Ultimate Fighter season one runner up Stephen Bonnar was one of the last elite fighters to come from Carlson’s camp. “What was great about him was he didn’t hold anything back... It really didn’t matter who you were... He would give you the last dollar in his wallet. He was a really good person. I mean honestly. I just wouldn’t say that about anyone.” Unfortunately Carlson Gracie passed away in Chicago in 2006 due to heart failure brought on by complications arising from kidney stones.

While there are many legacies attached to the name Gracie, the strength of Carlson’s is evidenced by the list of distinguished black belts, fighters and coaches that he personally guided through his school of hard knocks. 

CAREER SNAPSHOT

1948

At only 15 years old Carlos competes in a jiu-jitsu tournament in Rio de Janeiro. He makes it to the final and takes on Pedro Hemetério, ten years his senior and a student of Carlos and Helio Gracie.

1955

Fights Waldemar Santana to a draw in jiu-jitsu rules match at a packed Maracanazinho Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

1997

Carlson Gracie protégé Vitor Belfort wins UFC heavyweight championship aged just 20.

2000

After a financial dispute a band of Carlson’s former students found Brazilian Top Team.

2006

Carlson passes away in Chicago due heart failure at the age of 70.