OUR STORY

A school built by a dream.

From Rio de Janeiro to South Florida. Francis F. Abramson and Marcelo Herz grew up immersed in the culture of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the early 1990s.

Decades of training, teaching, competing, and learning under the Gracie lineage shaped the foundation they would later bring to the United States.

In 2017, united by a shared vision for their families and their students, they moved to Miami to open their Rilion Gracie affiliated academy in Doral, Florida.

What began with long days, small demonstrations, seminars, and community events slowly became a home for thousands of students and families throughout South Florida.

Built under the guidance of Master Rilion Gracie, the school was created with one belief: More than a martial art, Jiu-Jitsu is a tool for life.

Today, Rilion Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Doral continues to grow through authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, strong fundamentals, and a culture centered around respect, learning, discipline, and community. The journey started in Rio. The mission continues in Doral.

RGD 1.0 to 2.0

Rilion Gracie Doral before the expansion

RGD 1.0

RGD 2.0

Almost 10 years ago, we started here with a few students on the mats and a lot of hope.

Now we look around and see it full. Kids growing up inside these walls. Adults training before work, at lunch, in the evening. Friendships built class after class.

So we've decided to expand and raise the bar on the student experience.

Over 1,000 sqft more of training space, with brand new mats.
Separate changing rooms and bathrooms for men and women.
Showers for the morning and noon crew heading straight back to work.
More classes throughout the week, with more flexibility for busy schedules.

But more space is only worth it if it's still ours. Same people, same culture, just more room for it to live.

Professors

You train under black belt professors who are on the mat with you every class.

Two of our head professors came from the source of Jiu-Jitsu itself, Rio de Janeiro. Gracies, açaí, the beach, the whole culture and lifestyle before it conquered the world. One came up through Sensei Mehdi's Judo and the legends of Jiu-Jitsu in Rio. The other trained full time at Carlson Gracie's Team alongside icons of the sport. A third found Jiu-Jitsu at 31, far from Rio, and became a world champion anyway.

Combined, over 80 years on the mats. Different paths, one shared approach: Jiu-Jitsu for any level and any goal.