Organization
Renzo Gracie
Overview
Renzo Gracie Academy is a flagship-led BJJ affiliation shaped by New York City roots, no-gi influence, and deep ties to MMA and submission grappling.
Affiliation
Core Identity
Organization name Renzo Gracie Academy
Common name Renzo Gracie
Organization type Academy brand and affiliation network (flagship-led)
Founded Mid-1990s (NYC academy)
Founder
- Renzo Gracie
Headquarters (historical) New York City, New York, USA
Headquarters (current) Distributed (flagship academy + international affiliates)
Operational status Active
Primary discipline Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi); Submission Grappling; MMA
Affiliation Model
Affiliation structure Flagship-led academy network with affiliates connected more by lineage and instructor ties than by a rigid centralized system.
Branding / naming conventions Affiliates typically use Renzo Gracie in the gym name (e.g., Renzo Gracie Austin, Renzo Gracie Berlin).
Instruction / curriculum Instruction is lineage-driven rather than tightly standardized, with heavy emphasis on live training, no-gi grappling, and cross-training.
Affiliated Gyms
Footprint
Global footprint International affiliate presence anchored culturally by the New York flagship.