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About
| Full Name | Reyson Gracie |
| Year of Birth | 1942 |
| Rank & Title | 9th Degree Red Belt (Grand Master) |
| Pioneering Regions | Amazonas & Bahia (Brazil) |
| Affiliation | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu |
Overview
Reyson Gracie (born in 1942) is a 9th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red belt. He is the third son of BJJ founder Carlos Gracie and is widely recognized as the pioneer who introduced and developed Jiu-Jitsu in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Bahia.
Early Life and Family Dynamics
A Complicated Birth: Reyson was born in Rio de Janeiro as the result of a relationship between Carlos Gracie and a woman named Lina. His birth came during a complex window of family transitions—just two days after Carlos married his longtime fiancée, Geni.
The Meaning Behind the Name: Carlos chose the name “Reyson” because he was deeply involved in studying Kabbalah numerology at the time and was fascinated by the spiritual strength of the letter “R.”
An Uprooting Childhood: Because Lina lacked the financial resources to raise a baby, she handed Reyson over to Carlos. At the time, Carlos was relocating to the northern city of Fortaleza and managing several life changes, so the baby was temporarily placed in the care of Carlos’s best friend (Oscar Santa Maria) and later raised by his uncle, Helio Gracie.
Developing the Amazon and Bahia Fronts
Spreading BJJ to Amazonas: In late 1976, Reyson was invited by his close friend, Senator Artur Virgílio, to travel to the state of Amazonas to spread the family’s martial art. Reyson accepted and spent a year teaching in Manaus, developing highly prominent regional figures such as Fernando Façanha and Alfredo Jacaúna. His efforts established Amazonas as one of the biggest Jiu-Jitsu hubs in the world.
The Move to Bahia: He later relocated to the state of Bahia following an invitation from his nephew, Charles Gracie, to help grow the sport there. Reyson’s local leadership led to him becoming the president of the Bahia Jiu-Jitsu Federation in 1997.
Family Turmoil
Reyson is the father of Kendra and Carlos Gracie III (“Carlinhos”). His son Carlinhos became the epicenter of significant family turmoil when he chose to pursue a professional career as a ballet dancer. The highly traditional, hyper-masculine views held by the majority of the Gracie family severely clashed with his lifestyle choice.
Black Belts Promoted 3
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