Alberto Lewis Crane - Founder Of Legacy Jiu-Jitsu

Alberto was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States, on July 14, 1976. Crane is the best BJJ lightweight competitor, who won many championships in his weight division. He is a two-time IBJJF Pan Champion in the brown belt division and holds a BJJ black belt under Vinicius Magalhaes. Now, Crane is a jiu-jitsu instructor who trains at his academy in Los Angeles.  

Crane spent his early life traveling with his parents to different parts of the United States. In his teens, he was engaged in various sports, including football, wrestling and boxing.

At the age of 18, Crane made his first contact with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through his friends. He started practicing it after being impressed by the success of Royce Gracie in the UFC.

After graduating from high school and training in BJJ for some time, Crane became more passionate about jiu-jitsu. As a result, he decided to move to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as it was considered the center of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at that time, to do intense training with the best.

After moving to Brazil, Crane, with his friend Easton, decided to join the famous Gracie Barra Academy in Barra da Tijuca. After training there for some time, Crane met and became friends with Vinicius Draculino Magalhaes, who was starting his own Gracie Barra Academy in Belo Horizonte. Impressed by Draculaino’s grappling skills and character, Crane decided to train BJJ full-time at Gracie Barra in Belo Horizonte under the instruction of Draculino.

In 1999, Crane was promoted to the purple belt after winning bronze medals at both the IBJJF Pan Championship and the IBJJF World Championship. As a purple belt, he competed at the Brazilian National Championship in two different weight divisions, securing 3rd place in both competitions. He also earned a silver medal at the IBJJF World Championship, reaching the final. 

In 2000/2001, Crane got his brown belt. As a brown belt, he secured 2nd place at the IBJJF Pan Championship and 3rd place at the Brazilian Nationals.

In 2002, Vinicius Magalhaes promoted Crane to the black belt level, making him the first American BJJ black belt at the Gracie Barra Academy.

In 2002, immediately after receiving his black belt, Crane shifted his focus to MMA, participating  in a King of the Cage event in New Mexico. Crane remained undefeated for almost five years in his MMA career. After a long break, Crane competed again in 2007 in UFC 74 in the 3rd round against Roger Huerta but lost the fight via TKO. After this defeat, he left the UFC but continued his MMA career.

Alberto started coaching by teaching classes at Gracie Barra Academy while remaining active in his MMA career. After coaching there for some time, Crane opened two martial arts academies in the USA.

Crane founded the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy and ran it till 2007. Before moving to L.A. Basin, Crane sold his academy. 

In January 2009, Crane founded Legacy Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Encino, California with the main focus of his academy being Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, and Muay Thai. Over the years, the academy has expanded with branches in Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena.

Crane and his wife live happily with their three children, son Sevan and twin daughters, Sona and Serineh.

Alberto Crane faced  Eduardo Telles at the 2015 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship as a black belt in the master division. At the start of the fight, Crane scored an advantage point by taking down Telles. Then he got another advantage point by coming on top of Telles. Crane got another advantage point using the back control. In the end, Crane won the fight with the advantage points.

Alberto Crane faced  Jake Shields in the 2000 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in the brown belt lightweight. Crane scored the first two points using the north-south position. Then he scored another two points by taking Shields down and applying pressure on him. In the end, Crane won the game with the points.

Alberto faced Cleber Luciano at the 2002 IBJJF Pan Championship in the black belt lightweight division. Crane scored the first two points by taking down Luciano. Crane scored another two points using the back control. After a long and intense fight, Crane won the fight by 4 points.

Alberto Crane vs. Ludwing Salazar at Xtreme Vale Todo in Costa Rica 1080p footage

Alberto Crane vs Eduardo Telles | 2015 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Black Belt Master 2 Finals

UFC Vet Alberto Crane vs Daniel Coyote Souza 2002 BJJ Copa Pacifica

Photo Credit: @albertocrane