Organization
Carlson Gracie Team
Overview
Carlson Gracie Team (often referred to as Carlson Gracie International) is a legacy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team and academy network tracing back to Carlson Gracie. The team is historically associated with an aggressive, pressure-oriented style and played a foundational role in shaping competition-focused BJJ and early MMA.
Affiliation
Core Identity
Organization name Carlson Gracie Team / Carlson Gracie International
Common name Carlson Gracie Team
Organization type Legacy academy affiliation and lineage-based team network
Founded Mid-20th century (international expansion in the 1990s)
Founder
- Carlson Gracie
Headquarters (historical) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Headquarters (current) Carlson Gracie Headquarters, 2778 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
Operational status Active (lineage-based network)
Primary discipline Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi)
Affiliation Model
Affiliation structure Lineage-driven international network of academies operating under the Carlson Gracie name, often administered regionally by senior black belts.
Gym independence Affiliated academies operate independently while identifying with the Carlson Gracie lineage and team designation.
Branding / naming conventions Academies typically include Carlson Gracie in the gym name (e.g., Carlson Gracie Team London).
Instruction / curriculum Traditionally emphasizes pressure passing, top control, physical conditioning, and competition readiness; curriculum varies by instructor and region.
Typical affiliation signals Use of Carlson Gracie Team designation in competition registration, public lineage acknowledgment, and instructor lineage connection to Carlson Gracie.
Affiliated Gyms
Competitive Presence
Primary competitive ecosystem Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition circuits and historical MMA competition.
Ruleset fit Aligned with standard BJJ rulesets; not a governing body.
Athlete representation Competitors register under Carlson Gracie Team or regional Carlson Gracie academy names.
Footprint
Global footprint International presence across Brazil, Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific with density varying by region.
Discover affiliated gyms Affiliation is represented at the gym level within city and gym profiles when available.
Relationships
Related organization types
- Competition organizations
- Gyms (affiliates)
- Coaches (lineage-linked instructors)