Ryron Gracie - 5th Degree Black Belt and Co-Founder of Gracie University

1. Ryron Gracie’s Details

2. Ryron Gracie’s Biography

Ryron Gracie was born in Torrance California, US on the 1st of December 1981. He is a co-founder of Gracie University and head instructor at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Ryron Gracie is a prominent figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the third-generation Gracie Pioneers.

2.1. Grandson of BJJ Pioneer: Helio Gracie

Ryron Gracie was born in the family of legends of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He is the eldest son of a big name Rorion Gracie who is the founder of UFC. Rorion Gracie worked great for the spread of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the world. Ryron Gracie also has another big name in his ancestors, Helio Gracie. Helio Gracie is the grandfather of Ryron Gracie. 

2.2. Started BJJ as a Toddler

Ryron was born in the house of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu legends. Like other Gracies, Ryron also started his BJJ journey when he started walking. He grew up enjoying the fights and training at Torrance Gym. Ryron spent his early childhood in the gym and training BJJ.  

2.3. Started Coaching at a Very Young Age

As Ryron started BJJ at an early age, he started coaching at 12. He used to instruct the children who came to train BJJ in the academy of his father. It was his dedication and passion for BJJ that he spent most of his childhood in the gym, coaching, and training BJJ. 

2.4. Involved in the First Historic UFC Match

Rorion Gracie, father of Ryron Gracie, was the founder of the biggest MMA championship UFC. Ryron Gracie was also involved in the first and historic match of UFC. He was responsible for cleaning the mats after every fight.

2.5. Appeared in Jiu-Jitsu Tournaments at Different Belt Levels

Ryron started his coaching career at a very young age. He taught at Torrance Academy. But he managed to compete in the Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. As a Brown Belt, he competed in a match against his cousin, Crosley Gracie.

The match lasted for one and a half hours. After 90 minutes, Crosley accepted the defeat due to a knee injury and Ryron was declared the winner of the match.

2.6. Ryron Gracie’s Family

Ryron Gracie married Victoria Parsons. Their marriage ceremony was held in 2011. Now they both have two daughters. 

2.7. Ryron’s BJJ Pro Combats

Promoted to Black Belt

Ryron Gracie was promoted to Black Belt by his legendary grandfather, Helio Gracie along with his brother Rener Gracie. He received his Black Belt in 2003 after becoming the champion in GT Gracie International Open Champion 2003.  

Accept the Challenge from Marc Laimon

Ryron Gracie faced a challenge from Marc Liamon, a student of his father Rorion Gracie. Marc Laimon has also received his Blue Belt from Rorion Gracie. Then he made very controversial statements about Rorion Gracie and claimed that Rorion Gracie has a lack of knowledge and he is not loyal and committed to his students.

He accepted the challenge against Marc Liamon in an American Promotion Grappling Quest.

According to Marc Liamon, Gracies requested to alter the rules of the tournament at the final moment. Marc Laimon resisted the rules change and complained. After that match proceeded and Marc Laimon won the match by points.

Co-Founder and Instructor at Gracie University

Ryron Gracie is the co-founder of Gracie University. This is an online project which was launched by Ryron Gracie and Rener Gracie. Gracie University offers online courses to its male, female, and juvenile students. These online courses include Gracie Combative, Gracie Bullyproof, Women Empowered, and the Master Cycle.

Gracie University is also famous for its special military courses and law enforcement courses. The main motto of Gracie University is to teach its students self-defense techniques. They also give online belts. According to the current record, 100,000 students from 196 countries are connected with Gracie University till 2023.

In online courses, Ryron and Rener Gracie demonstrate online classes. Their students perform those techniques, record a video, and send it to the university. Video is checked and analyzed by professional coaches. If students are fulfilling the requirements of a technique, they are considered passed and granted their belt.

Appear in a Controversy over Gracie University’s online Belt Assignment

Ryron Gracie and Rener Gracie appeared in controversy along with their father Rorion Gracie. Various competitors, practitioners, and coaches including their own family members, Royce and Rilion Gracie criticized their online ranking system.

They did not like their way of distance learning with online belt promotions. Various people claimed that allegedly Ryron Gracie and his co-founders are doing business with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and are decreasing its honor.  

YouTube Videos “ The Gracie Breakdown”

Ryron Gracie and his brother Rener Gracie are the founders of YouTube channels named “The Gracie Way” and “The Gracie Breakdown”. In their channels, they led the videos of various fights with their commentaries.

Their commentaries involve suggestions, discussion on the techniques, and their professional opinions. On 28 June 2010, they posted a video of a fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Fabricio Werdum. Their video went viral and received 100,000 views in just 24 hours. 

Decided to appear only in “Submission Only” Tournaments

Ryron is not a very active competitor because of his dislike for the point system. He does not believe in the scoring system offered by various organizations. So he decided to execute his grappling skills in “submission-only” competitions like Metamoris and Gracie Worlds. 

3. Quotes by Ryron Gracie

Ryron Gracie was brought up under the affection of great BJJ legends. Their company modified him into a well-rounded BJJ competitor and coach from an early age. Ryron Gracie delivers his thoughtful and helpful knowledge to the next generation by coaching in his academy. Some of the quotes delivered by Ryron Gracie are quoted here.

1. Once you learn to remain calm under the stressful circumstances of a fight, you will have no trouble remaining calm under the stressful circumstances of life.
2. The true mark of maturity is when someone hurts you and you try to understand their situation instead of hurting them back.
3. When I tap, it means I've accepted the technique, learned the lesson, and look to apply the experience the next time I step on the mat. I will never give up.
4. Jiu-Jitsu is about waiting for the right time to do the right move.
5. Treat everyone with love and respect because they are your brother or your sister.
6. Those who rush are the same ones who lack technique.
7. Spend more time in a Jiu Jitsu gi than in street clothes.

4. Ryron Gracie’s Historic Fights

4.1. Ryron Gracie Vs. Rafael Lovato Jr.

Rayron Gracie faced Rafael Lovato Jr. in Copa Pacific 2002. Lovato started the match in a sitting position and strangled the leg of Gracie. Gracie tried to escape but failed to do so. He put his energy into taking down Lovato and succeeded. But Lovato immediately altered his position.

Gracie tried to secure the top position. Lovato took him down and scored two points for a fantastic takedown. Gracie did not let him take the top position and execute a great energetic counter back.

Lovato Jr. tried to apply pulling guard twice but Gracie did not let him make a grip around his groin. Gracie took the top position and overcame Lovato Jr. He grasped his collars and applied a Collar Choke and submitted Lovato Jr.

4.2. Ryron Gracie Vs. Vanilla Gorilla

Ryron Gracie faced Vanilla Gorilla in 2006. This match was one of the best matches ever seen by the BJJ fans. Ryron Gracie was taken down by Rick at the start of the match. Ryron could not apply full guard as his right leg was trapped. He was putting pressure on his leg and tried to mount him.

In a few next minutes, Ryron escaped his leg and tried to strangle Rick’s neck with his legs. Rick was in the top position and this was the positive point Rick was using to overcome Ryron. After a few minutes, Ryron succeeded in taking his back. He converted Rick into a turtle position. But Rick was very active. He escaped in a few minutes.

Ryron tried to apply the guillotine but Rick mounted him and scored points. Gracie inverted his position and again succeeded to take his back. After a few minutes, Gracie submitted Rick with RNC.    

4.3. Ryron Gracie Vs. Cassio Werneck

Ryron Gracie faced Cassio Werneck in 2004. This was one of the best matches of Ryron Gracie. Ryron was successful in an early takedown of Werneck at the start of the match. He tried his best to overcome Werneck and secured the top position.

Werneck was very active and did not let him control him. He was showing great sportsmanship against Ryron Gracie. After a few minutes, Ryron succeeded to take Werneck’s back. That was the time, Werneck actively escaped him and take down Gracie for a few minutes.

Gracie again secured his top position. Gracie was in the top position and overcame Werneck who was giving a very tough time to Ryron. At the end of the match, Ryron won the match by points.

5. Ryron Gracie’s Main Achievements

Year	Event	Position
2001	GT United Gracie Championship	1st
2003	GT Gracie International Open Championship	1st
2012	GT Gracie World Championship	1st

6. Ryron Gracie’s Available Professional Record

6.1. Available Professional Record Breakdown

8 Matches	4 Wins	3 Losses
Points	2	2
Submissions	2	1
Draw	1

6.2. Submission Methods

Method	2 Wins	1 Loses
Collar Choke	1	0
RNC	1	0
Toe Hold	0	1

7. Ryron Gracie’s Fight History

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Weight Division
2002	Copa Pacific	Rafael Lovato Jr.	W	Collar Choke	N/A
2003	The Ultimate Submission Showdown	Jeff Monson	W	Points	Heavyweight
2003	The Ultimate Submission Showdown	Travis Lutter	L	Points	Heavyweight
2004	American promotion Grapplers Quest	Marc Liamon	L	Points	N/A
2004	World Grappling Games 4	Cassio Werneck	W	Points	N/A
2006	West Submission Grappling Championships	Rick ‘The Vanilla Gorilla’ Macauley.	W	RNC	N/A
2012	Metamoris 1	Andre Galvao	D	D	N/A
2015	Metamoris 6	Josh Barnett	L	Toe Hold	N/A

8. Ryron Gracie’s Top Fight Links

Photo Credit: @ryrongracie