Professors Francis Abramson and Marcelo Herz began their martial arts journeys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is deeply rooted in everyday life.
After decades of training, competing, and teaching students of all ages, they moved to Miami in 2017 to open Rilion Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Doral under the guidance of Master Rilion Gracie.
Their goal was simple: create a school where people could learn Jiu-Jitsu seriously while feeling welcomed from their first class and so on.
Over time the school grew into a strong community where students train together, support each other’s progress, and build lasting friendships through the practice of Jiu-Jitsu.
We teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a way that builds skill, character, and confidence.
Students learn strong fundamentals through clear instruction and consistent practice. Over time they develop discipline, resilience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Our academy is a place where people train seriously, support one another, and grow together through the practice of Jiu-Jitsu.
Our goal is to create a school where people come not only to train, but to keep evolving.
We aim to be known for thoughtful instruction, respectful training, and an environment where beginners feel comfortable starting and experienced students continue refining their understanding of the art.
Through steady practice, students build confidence and develop a sense of belonging that reaches beyond the academy.
Fair play, respect for others, and accepting the outcome with grace.
Teaches you to never give up.
Helps you to stick to your goals when things get tough.
Continuing to practice our traditions, we make sure that the beauty and richness of our culture are appreciated and enjoyed by future generations.
Is to listen more than talk.
Being polite without being afraid.
Helps keep you down to earth.
We believe Jiu-Jitsu should be taught with clarity and structure.
Classes focus on strong fundamentals, step-by-step instruction, and practical training that helps students understand how techniques work.
Students practice movements through drills, situational training, and controlled sparring. This allows them to build confidence while developing timing, awareness, and decision-making.
Our goal is steady progress over time. Jiu-Jitsu rewards patience, and every student advances at their own pace.
Rilion Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Doral is more than a place to exercise.
It is a place where people challenge themselves, build friendships, and develop skills that stay with them throughout life.
Whether someone is stepping on the mat for the first time or continuing a long journey in Jiu-Jitsu, our academy provides the guidance, structure, and community to support that path.
Marcelo began his martial arts career at age 15 at Academia Jacaré, and had as his first master Romero “Jacaré”. However, due to the great distance from his house to the academy, he ended up training Jiu-Jitsu with master Luis Claudio Isaias, from Academia Carlson Gracie.
After a few years, Marcelo was training full time with the legendary team at this gym, having as training partners legends of the sport such as Murilo Bustamante, Sérgio Bolão, Amaury Bitteti and Wallid Ismail, and many others who made history in the 90s.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo graduated from UERJ, getting a degree in economics and then going on to work with the stock market, before forging his path as the owner of a company that imports and distributes tiles and flooring.
Today, Marcelo is a 6th degree black belt, having competed and won almost all tournaments he has competed in, among them some state-wide, country-wide, 1 Pan-American, and 1 world championship each as a purple and brown belt respectively. And recently 2021 Pan Am silver medal, 2020 World Champion gold medal.
Having lived in California for a year, Marcelo is fluent in English.
A dedicated family man, he is married and has one son.
Co-founder / Head Professor
5th Degree BJJ Black Belt
3rd Dan Judo Black Belt
Francis, born in 1977 in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a skilled martial artist. He holds a 3rd DAN black belt in Judo under Sensei George Mehdi and a 4th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He learned from some of the best in the business, including masters like Roberto Traven, Alexandre Paiva, Sylvio Behring, Francisco Toco Albuquerque (promoted Francis to Black Belt in BJJ), Muzio De Angelis, and Rilion Gracie.
Francis’s journey into martial arts began at the age of seven, and it turned into a lifelong career. Over 15 years, he taught Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Self-Defense to over 700 students at Sensei Mehdi Dojo in Rio de Janeiro and various Jiu-Jitsu schools in the city, starting when he was a Blue Belt. He also shared his knowledge by conducting Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense courses and seminars across Brazil, North America, Europe, and Canada. Besides that, he organized sports and combat events in the US, Europe, Asia, and Brazil.
He has been competing in Judo and BJJ since he was a kid, in famous arenas in Rio like Atlantico Sul, LINJJI, Rio’s State Championship, and the World Masters, as well as in super fights in North America.
He holds a BA from Universidade Cândido Mendes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), with certifications at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania and University of Maryland and multiple specialties such as design and digital marketing.
He is fluent in Portuguese and English and proficient in Spanish and French. Also a dedicated family man, and the father of two children.
Natasha was born in India, but raised on a little island in the Caribbean called St. Maarten, and has been living in Miami since 2002.
She started her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2015 in Miami, learning from Guillerme Arashiro, a black belt under the late Ryan Gracie. She has been part of the Rilion Gracie Doral team since 2021. Though she got started at what is considered “later in life”, at the age of 31, she has dedicated much of her time since then to the martial art.
Natasha has knowledge in the different aspects of Jiu-Jitsu, including self-defense and as a sport. She has competed dozens of times, winning No Gi Worlds at purple belt, and is a multi-time World Master and PanAmerican silver medalist. She also has a few years of experience in Judo.
Natasha has been a yoga and mobility instructor for over 8 years, and her style of movement and knowledge with teaching has transferred into her BJJ life. She has experience teaching both kids and adults.
