Carlos Rollyson

Main Achievements

• 3x 1st Place — CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (1993 / 1994 / 1995 Master)
• 1st Place — Rio de Janeiro State Champion
• Historic Match Highlight — Defeated Rolker Gracie to secure the gold medal at the 1994 Brazilian Nationals.

Overview

Jose Carlos de Sousa Rollyson, widely known as Carlos Rollyson, is a historic 7th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red-and-black coral belt and a black belt in Judo. Earning his credentials under the iconic Carlson Gracie lineage, Master Rollyson represents a golden era of competitive dominance in the 1990s and has since established himself as a preeminent international instructor and tactical self-defense authority.

Early Life and Dual Black Belts

Carlos Rollyson was born in Teresópolis, a mountainous region in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His introduction to martial arts began at the tender age of 7, when his father started teaching him basic self-defense concepts at home. Recognizing his natural passion for grappling, Rollyson began his formal training three years later under the legendary Grandmaster Carlson Gracie Sr.

As he grew, Rollyson diversified his combative skill set by adding competitive Judo to his weekly training regimen. He studied under Takise Ueda, a highly revered 7th-dan Judo Master, who awarded Rollyson his Judo black belt when he turned 18 years old. Just two years later, at age 20, his lifelong dedication to the “gentle art” culminated in receiving his BJJ black belt directly from the hands of Carlson Gracie Sr.

Competitive Success and Gold Medals

The early 1990s marked the peak of Rollyson’s competitive prime. He established himself as a dominant force in the Master divisions, capturing the prestigious Rio de Janeiro State Championship before taking his talents to the national stage.

Rollyson won his first CBJJ Brazilian National Championship gold medal in 1993. He proved his staying power by successfully defending his national title in 1994 and again in 1995. One of the absolute landmarks of his competitive run occurred during the 1994 National Championship tournament, where he engaged in a high-stakes tactical battle and defeated Rolker Gracie to secure the top spot on the podium.

Evolution as an Instructor and Federal Seminars

Rollyson discovered an innate talent for coaching early in life, opening his very first academy in Brazil at just 18 years old while he was still a purple belt. Teaching would quickly become his primary lifelong calling.

After relocating to the United States, Rollyson became one of the most prominent high-ranking Jiu-Jitsu figures in South Florida. His highly technical approach to self-defense and subject control caught the attention of American law enforcement bodies; Master Rollyson has famously conducted specialized tactical self-defense and compliance seminars for top-tier federal agencies, including the FBI and the DEA.

Transition to Alliance

Following the passing of his longtime mentor and master, Carlson Gracie Sr., Rollyson faced an administrative turning point. While he remained incredibly active in the sport, he recognized that Jiu-Jitsu was evolving rapidly from a modern sporting perspective. Wanting to stay on the absolute cutting edge of the sport’s competitive development and seeking the community of an active global team, he made the decision to affiliate with Alliance Jiu Jitsu.

Today, Carlos Rollyson stands as a revered 7th-degree coral belt, continuing to preserve the traditional self-defense principles of the Gracie lineage while fully embracing modern sport evolution.