One of the true legends in the martial arts world, Renzo Gracie is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu from the renowned Gracie family. Renzo was born on March 11, 1967, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, the son of Robson Gracie, a 9th-degree BJJ black belt, and the brother of Ralph and Ryan Gracie. Like most men in the Gracie family, Renzo began training in BJJ at a young age. He received formal instruction from many of the Gracie patriarchs, but two of his biggest influences were the legendary Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr., the man who would later award him his black belt.

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Renzo has won countless competitions, the most prestigious being the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC), where he became a two-time champion. His name is also closely linked with Vale Tudo, the famous no-holds-barred fighting style from Brazil that laid the foundation for modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). His first official fight took place at the age of 25 during the Gracie Vale Tudo Challenge, where he defeated his opponent Luiz Augusto Alvareda with a rear naked choke. Renzo has fought all over the world for organizations such as Pride FC in its golden era and the UFC.

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In the 1990s, he was a pioneer in bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the United States when he founded the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, now one of the cornerstones of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America. He is known as one of the greatest teachers and mentors in the sport. With his signature blend of charisma and intelligence, he has guided many students to black belt, including Matt Serra, former UFC champion; Roger Gracie, 10-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion; John Danaher, coach of UFC champions Georges St-Pierre and Chris Weidman; Shawn Williams, Ricardo Almeida, and many others.