Lineage Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has become one of the most popular styles in the World after Royce Gracie demonstrated its effectiveness in the first Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC).
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is an adaptation of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu which came to Brazil through Mitsuyo Maeda. Maeda was a fearsome fighter and student of Jigaro Kano (the founder of Judo) and became an instructor to Carlos Gracie.
After Maeda left, Carlos opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy and taught his brothers. However, his younger brother Helio was too frail to do the classical Jiu-Jitsu and adapted the art to be more effective for weaker people.
To prove the effectiveness of their style, the Gracies - especially Helio, who would become the family champion - fought any and all comers. Helio holds the record for the longest recorded fight in history at 3 hours and 42 minutes. This idea of no-holds-barred challenge fights to prove the family style was passed down to Helio and Carlos' children who would introduce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the world.
Royce Gracie
One of the most famous Martial Artists of all time, Royce Gracie shocked the world in 1993 when he stepped into the Octagon in UFC 1 and introduced the world to his family's art. At only 178 lbs., he was the smallest fighter in the tournament. However, Royce defeated three opponents in the same night with no weight classes or time limits to become the first ever UFC Champion.
Always outweighed by his opponents, Royce went on the win three UFC Titles and is the only man in the no-holds-barred fighting world to have successfully defeated four opponents in one night. He also holds the UFC record for consecutive submission victories (11).
Royce fought to prove that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu truly was the style that would allow the weaker, smaller person to survive and even overcome stronger, bigger opponents.
Royce was also the first person ever inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame and has been named one of the Sports Illustrated's Top 50 Athletes of All Time.
Greg Thompson
Roy Marsh began his training his training under Greg Thompson. Greg is the first person ever awarded a Black Belt by Royce Gracie and he has continued the Gracie mission of teaching Jiu-Jitsu as a Complete Martial Art for real-world conflict.
Mr. Thompson is one of the top Military Combatives Instructors in the in the world and is the current Trainer and Advisor for U.S. Special Forces Units 3rd, 7th, C37, SWCS, Range 37 (Advanced Skills Battalion) and other Special Units.
Greg is also the Advisor to the MACP (Modern Army Combatives) Level 3 and 4 Programs. Greg also created SOCP (Special Operations Combatives Program) which is the first Combatives Program officially designated for the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces.
Greg also created Team-ROC (Reality of Combat) which is the largest and most successful BJJ and MMA organization in the Carolinas and has produced fighters who have competed in the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, All-Armed Services Combatives, etc. as well as World and Pan-American Champions in Jiu-Jitsu competition.