Clark Gracie

Main Achievements

• 1st Place — IBJJF Pan American Championship (2013 Adult Black Belt)
• 1st Place — IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2018 Master 1)
• 1st Place — UAEJJF Grand Slam Tokyo (2015)
• 1st Place — UAEJJF US National Pro (2015)
• 1st Place — IBJJF American Nationals (2010)
• 2nd Place — IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2012 Silver Medalist)
• 3rd Place — IBJJF World Championship (2011 Adult Black Belt Bronze Medalist)

Overview

Clark Rouson Gracie is a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt and one of the premier middleweight (Peso Médio) competitors of his generation. Belonging to the historic third generation of the sport’s founding family, Clark is globally celebrated for a highly dynamic, submission-oriented style, carving out a unique technical legacy defined by his absolute mastery of the Omoplata shoulder lock.

Early Life and Lineage Foundations

Immersion in martial arts was immediate for Clark, who split his childhood between San Francisco, California, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the grandson of Jiu-Jitsu patriarch Carlos Gracie Sr. and the son of Grandmaster Carley Gracie, the vanguard who originally introduced the art to the United States. Inspired by this vast lineage, Clark began testing his skills in local and national tournaments from early childhood.

Seeking to test his guard games in the toughest possible environments, he eventually relocated to San Diego, California. There, he integrated into the BJJ Revolution Team under the tutelage of Rodrigo Medeiros. This rigorous competitive ecosystem accelerated his mechanical development, culminating in May 2010 when he was officially promoted to black belt directly by his father.

Grappling Strategy & Cultural Impact

On the competitive circuit, Clark built a reputation as a highly lethal finisher, sporting a 61% submission rate across his recorded professional black belt victories. His signature attacking system involves converting the Omoplata from an intermediate sweep threat into a terminal finishing position, often transitioning seamlessly into high-leverage collar chokes or complex back-takes via the Crucifix position.

Beyond his deep athletic resume, Clark earned widespread mainstream attention after a competition photograph went viral online. Dubbed the “Photogenic Jiu-Jitsu Guy” by internet media, the image captured him executing a clinical Omoplata setup with absolute composure. Today, Clark continues to act as a prominent international ambassador for the art, managing his own global academy network and traveling the world hosting advanced technical seminars.