Carlson Gracie La Costa

We are proud to be part of the Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu family, doing our part to contribute to a rich and storied legacy in the art. Carlson Gracie was the son of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Founder Carlos Gracie and he became a top competitor in No Holds Barred/Vale Tudo matches during the 1950's and 1960's era. Carlson's son, Carlson Gracie Jr. is now the head of the team teaching out the Chicago HQ and making regular visits to teach on the West Coast.
To learn more about Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu, visit the HQ website here. 

​We also have a strong and close relationship with Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu West Coast operations in Temecula, visit their site here.

When you decide to train BJJ with us, you're opening up a whole network of relationships.​
Picture
Training at Carlson Gracie Temecula with Professor Tom Cronin

Instructors

Laurence Griffiths - Head Coach - 2nd degree Black Belt
Picture
Receiving 2nd Degree from Carlson Gracie Jr., Jan 2022
Picture
Receiving Black Belt from Roger Gracie, Dec 2015
Training BJJ since 2007.

After moving from the UK in 2016, Laurence started training under Professor Tom Cronin at Carlson Gracie Temecula, receiving his 1st degree from Master Carlson Gracie Jr. in 2018.

​Prior to that he trained under Roger Gracie Black Cesar Lima in London, receiving his Black Belt from Roger Gracie in Dec 2015.

He has been teaching BJJ for several years and has been an active competitor for over a decade.

Notable competition achievements:
  • IBJJF No-Gi worlds Silver Medalist, Pan Ams Bronze Medalist (Black Belt, Masters 1)
  • IBJJF Europeans Silver Medalist, British Nationals Gold (Brown Belt, Masters 1)
  • British Open, Gold Medalist (Brown Belt, Adult)

Other qualifications:

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or BJJ, is a martial art where a smaller weaker opponent, can use leverage and technique to gain control over and make submit, a larger stronger opponent. BJJ is unique in that it heavily focuses on ground fighting, which is where most fights in the real world end up. Its like a mix of Judo and Collegiate Wrestling.

Its origins come from Japanese martial artist Mitsuyo Maeda teaching Judo to Carlos Gracie and it being adapted by younger brother Hélio Gracie in the early 20th Century. Although the art rose to prominence in 1993 when Hélio Gracie’s son, Royce, shocked the world in UFC 1 by submitting several much larger and stronger opponents using BJJ. (Watch UFC 1 highlights here)

Carslon Gracie