Rolles Gracie Jr.

{{short description|Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Rolles Gracie

| other_names =

| image =

| image_size = 200px

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|7|14}}

| birth_place = Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| residence = New Jersey

| nationality = Brazilian-American

| height = 6 ft 4 in

| weight = 249 lb

| weight_class = Heavyweight

| reach = 80 in

| style = Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Gaidojutsu, Wrestling

| stance = Orthodox

| fighting_out_of = Holmdel, New Jersey, United States

| team = Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Jackson's Submission Fighting{{cite web |last=Alonso |first=Marcelo |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/the-next-great-gracie-20285 |title=The Next Great Gracie? |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=2009-10-13 |access-date=2014-04-04}}

| rank = 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (under Daniel Gracie and Renzo Gracie)
3rd dan black belt in Judo {{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

| relatives = Gracie Family

| years_active =

| mma_kowin =1

| mma_subwin = 7

| mma_decwin =

| mma_koloss = 4

| mma_subloss =

| mma_decloss =

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| website =

| sherdog = 24217

| footnotes =

| updated =

}}

{{MedalTableTop | medals =

{{MedalCountry | {{BRA}} }}

{{MedalCompetition | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship }}

}}

Rolles Gracie (born July 14, 1978) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, and professional wrestler.{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Rolles-Gracie-24217 |title=Rolles Gracie MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=1978-07-14 |access-date=2014-04-04}} As the son of Rolls Gracie, he is a third generation martial arts member of the Gracie family, and a 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.{{cite web |url=http://www.rollesgracie.com/page2/page2.html |title=Rolles Gracie Jr. Bio URL accessed on June 5, 2009 |publisher=Rollesgracie.com |access-date=2014-04-04}}

Mixed martial arts career

Gracie stepped into the International Fight League for his first MMA fight on the undercard of the IFL World Team Championships in 2007. He joined his cousin Renzo Gracie's New York Pitbulls in the IFL. Gracie's younger brothers Igor and Gregor are also mixed martial artists. Gracie was set to fight Ricardo Romero at Ring of Combat 24, April 17, 2009, but he withdrew from the fight a week before due to an injury sustained in practice.{{cite web |url=http://sherdog.com/news/news/Ring-of-Combat-24-Fight-Card-16585 |title=Ring of Combat 24 Fight Card |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=2009-03-14 |access-date=2014-04-04}}

Gracie signed with Art of War Fighting Championship and made his debut on May 23, 2009, where he defeated in a mixed martial match Magomedbag Agaev from Daghestan at 5:09 seconds in Round 1.{{cite web |url=http://www.rollesgracie.com/Rolles_Gracie_-_Bio.html |title=Rollesgracie.com |publisher=Rollesgracie.com |access-date=2014-04-04}} Rolles, in his second fight for the Art of War FC promotion, defeated K-1 kickboxing veteran, but at the time 0–2 in MMA, Peter Graham early in the first round.{{cite web |url=http://www.artofwarfc.cn/?q=node/522 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903103332/http://www.artofwarfc.cn/?q=node%2F522 |archive-date=2009-09-03 |url-status=dead |title=Art of War ® Fighting Championship 14 – Ground Zero – Results | Art of War™ Fighting Championship ::: MMA China |access-date=2014-04-12 }}

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

Gracie was expected to make his UFC debut on February 6, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada against Mostapha Al-Turk{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2009/10/rolles-gracie-headed-to-ufc-meets-mostapha-al-turk-at-ufc-109/ |title=Rolles Gracie headed to UFC, meets Mostapha Al Turk at UFC 109 |date=21 October 2009 |publisher=MMAjunkie |access-date=12 April 2014}} Due to Mostapha Al Turk having visa troubles, Gracie instead faced Joey Beltran in his UFC debut.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2010/02/joey-beltran-official-as-late-replacement-faces-rolles-gracie-on-ufc-109-prelims/ |title=Joey Beltran official as late replacement, faces Rolles Gracie on UFC 109 prelims |date=2 February 2010 |publisher=MMAjunkie |access-date=12 April 2014}} Gracie secured a takedown early, and managed to take Beltran's back. However he would quickly become exhausted, and Beltran would defend the rest of his takedowns with ease. In the second round, Gracie attempted another takedown but was denied, and Beltran immediately started landing ground and pound which Gracie was unable to defend, causing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.{{cite web |last=Cofield |first=Steve |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Next-generation-Gracie-bombs-at-UFC-109?urn=mma,218052 |title=Next-generation Gracie bombs at UFC 109 – Cagewriter – UFC Blog – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |access-date=2014-04-04}}

Following the defeat, Renzo Gracie described Rolles' performance as "embarrassing", saying his exhaustion was caused by nerves and the pressure he put on himself.{{cite web |url=http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Renzo-Gracie-on-Rolles-debut-It-was-embarrasing-hell-learn-and-be-back.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212121627/http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Renzo-Gracie-on-Rolles-debut-It-was-embarrasing-hell-learn-and-be-back.html |archive-date=2010-02-12 |url-status=dead |title=Renzo Gracie on Rolles' debut: "It was embarrassing... he'll learn and be back." |access-date=2014-04-12 }} Rolles was released from the UFC after just one fight.{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/With-Lessons-Learned-Rolles-Gracie-Seeks-Big-League-Return-31818 |title=Rolles Gracie Seeks Big League Return |publisher=www.sherdog.com |date=22 Apr 2011 |access-date=15 Feb 2015}}

=Post-UFC=

Gracie was to face Mike Ciesnolevicz at a Shine Fights event on January 8, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://sherdogblog.craveonline.com/blog/2010-11-10#28111 |title=Gracie-Ciesnolevicz On Tap for Jan 8. Shine Fights |access-date=11 November 2010}} The event, however, did not materialize.

Instead, Gracie made his first post-UFC appearance on April 22, 2011, at UCC 4: Supremacy. He defeated Braden Bice via submission in the first round.

=ONE Fighting Championship=

On December 8, 2011, it was announced that Gracie had signed for Asian promotion ONE Fighting Championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Singapores-One-FC-Launches-Gracies-Filipino-Champs-Aboard-33963 |title=Singapore's One FC Launches; Gracies, Filipino Champs Aboard |access-date=4 February 2012}}

He made his debut at ONE FC: Battle of Heroes in Jakarta, Indonesia on February 11, 2012, where he took on Bob Sapp.{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Gracie-Shirai-Belingon-Added-to-Feb-11-One-FC-Card-in-Jakarta-37871 |title=Gracie, Shirai, Belingon Added to Feb. 11 One FC Card in Jakarta |access-date=4 February 2012}} Gracie won the fight in the first round by submission due to strikes.

Rolles faced Tony Bonello in a Heavyweight bout at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation in Quezon City, Philippines. He won via submission in the third round.

=World Series of Fighting=

Gracie was set to take on Dave Huckaba at WSOF 3 on June 14, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/world-series-of-fighting-3-gains-tyrone-spong-vs-angel-deanda-moves-to-hard-rock |title=World Series of Fighting 3 Gains Tyrone Spong vs. Angel DeAnda, Moves to Hard Rock|date=16 April 2013 }} However Gracie was forced out of the fight due to a wrist injury.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/rolles-gracie-forced-off-world-series-of-fighting-3-card-fight-cancelled |title=Rolles Gracie Forced Off World Series of Fighting 3 Card; Fight Cancelled|date=5 June 2013 }}

In his promotion debut, Gracie faced Derrick Mehmen on WSOF 5 on September 14, 2013, at World Series of Fighting 5: Arlovski vs. Kyle, where he was knocked out in the second round after outboxing Mehmen in the first.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/09/world-series-of-fighting-5-live-results-and-fight-recaps |title=World Series of Fighting 5 results: Arlovski edges Kyle |publisher=mmajunkie.com |date=September 14, 2013}}

=KSW=

After signing with the Polish MMA promotion KSW, Gracie challenged Karol Bedorf for the KSW Heavyweight Championship at KSW 28 on October 4, 2014. He lost the fight by TKO in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://www2.kswmma.com/en/indexn.php?s=news&newsID=1754&ksw-28:-karol-bedorf-broni-pasa-ksw-w-wadze-ci%C4%99%C5%BCkiej|title=KSW 28: Karol Bedorf defends KSW title against Rolles Gracie|date=October 3, 2014}}

He then faced former Polish strongman and five-time World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 31 on May 23, 2015. Gracie lost in surprising fashion by KO after Pudzianowski landed a punch just 27 seconds into the first round.{{cite web|url=https://fightstate.com/mariusz-pudzianowski-vs-rolles-gracie-results/|title=Mariusz Pudzianowski defeats Rolles Gracie with a brutal knockout Punch 27 seconds into the first round.|website=fightstate.com|access-date=2019-11-02}}

Professional wrestling career

On October 14, 2013, Rolles, along with Daniel Gracie, made an appearance for professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) at the King of Pro-Wrestling pay-per-view, issuing an open challenge for the January 4, 2014, Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome event, which was later answered by Yuji Nagata and Kazushi Sakuraba, the latter known as the "Gracie Hunter" for his MMA bouts with members of the Gracie family.{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=762 |title=King of Pro-Wrestling |access-date=October 14, 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja}}{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/misc-news/44319-10-14-njpw-ippv-results-tokyo-japan-tanahashi-okada |title=10/14 NJPW iPPV Results: Tokyo, Japan (Tanahashi/Okada) |last=Namako |first=Jason |date=October 14, 2013 |access-date=October 14, 2013 |work=WrestleView}} The Gracies lost the match via disqualification, after Daniel choked Nagata out with his gi.{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=781 |title=バディファイトPresents Wrestle Kingdom 8 in 東京ドーム |access-date=January 4, 2014 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja}} A rematch between the two teams took place on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka and saw Rolles submit Sakuraba for the win.{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=811 |title=The New Beginning in Osaka |access-date=February 11, 2014 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222022825/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=811 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }} On April 6 at Invasion Attack 2014, the Gracies defeated Takashi Iizuka and Toru Yano in another tag team match.{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=827 |title=Invasion Attack 2014 |access-date=April 6, 2014 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja}} The Gracies' win streak continued on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2014, where they defeated Sakuraba and Shinsuke Nakamura.{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=838 |script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2014 |access-date=May 3, 2014 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508074949/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=838 |archive-date=May 8, 2014 }} On May 25 at Back to the Yokohama Arena, Rolles wrestled his first singles match, where he was defeated by Sakuraba.{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=842 |title=Back to the Yokohama Arena |access-date=May 25, 2014 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja}}

Personal life

Gracie is the eldest son of Rolls Gracie (1951–1982), and grandson of Carlos Gracie (1902–1994). He is the older brother of Igor Gracie and Gregor Gracie.

Gracie lives in New Jersey where he is the main instructor at his cousin Renzo Gracie’s jiu-jitsu school in Middletown, New Jersey.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} He also owns and operates the Rolles Gracie Academy in Old Bridge, New Jersey and West Long Branch, NJ.[http://www.renzograciemiddletownmartialarts.com/BJJinstructors.php Renzo Gracie Middletown Martial Arts >> Instructor Bios] He has a son and three daughters.[http://www.550media.com/igjjf/familytree.html IGJJF >> Gracie Family Tree] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621054802/http://www.550media.com/igjjf/familytree.html |date=June 21, 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.charlesgracie.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=49 |title=Gracie Family Tree |publisher=Charles Gracie |access-date=2014-04-04}}

Achievements

Submission Grappling

2005 ADCC World Championship participant
{{silver2}} ADCC World Champion (2007)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

{{gold1}} No-Gi American National Super Heavyweight Champion (2010)
{{silver2}} No-Gi Pan-American 2nd Place (2008)
{{gold1}} 3× Pan-American Champion (1996, 2000, 2006)
Ranked #1 North America (2005)
{{gold1}} Grapplers Quest Copa Atlantica (2005)
Brazilian Teams Champion (2000)
{{bronze3}} 3rd Place, World Championship (1999)
{{gold1}} 2× Brazilian National Champion (1996, 1999)
{{silver2}} 2nd Place, World Jiu-Jitsu Championships (1998) (defeated by Carlos "Carlão" Santos)
{{gold1}} 3× Rio de Janeiro State Champion (1989, 1991, 1993)