Cesar Gracie on the Early Days of BJJ, the Diaz Brothers & Coaching UFC Champions | Ep 31

In this episode, I sit down with Cesar Gracie, one of the most influential figures in bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the United States. Cesar is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, founder of the Gracie system, and built the legendary Gracie Fighter Team in Northern California, coaching UFC stars including Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Jake Shields, Dave Terrell, and BJ Penn.We discuss how BJJ actually got started in America and Cesar's role opening the first academy with the Machados, the early days training out of Royce Gracie's garage in Torrance and teaching Chuck Norris at his Encino home, and why Cesar moved to Northern California in 1992 to build his own school. Cesar shares his eclectic training philosophy that mixed gi and no-gi from day one, welcomed wrestlers and sambo practitioners when other schools were insular, and created an environment where students had to prove they were tough enough to belong.We dive into the reality of coaching elite fighters through the early UFC era when purses were $7,000 and tournaments meant three fights in one night, why Cesar stepped away from managing professional fighters as the sport became corporate, and the strain when business relationships replace friendships at the highest levels.Whether you're a BJJ practitioner interested in the sport's origins, a coach balancing competition with sustainability, or fascinated by how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu exploded from backyard garages to a global phenomenon, this conversation delivers raw history and hard-earned wisdom on longevity in the sport.Cesar Gracie contactsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cesargraciebjj/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cesar.gracie/Cesar Gracie Academy: https://www.graciefighter.com/Carlos Graciehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_GracieRickson Graciehttps://www.ricksongracie.com/ricksongracie/aboutCarlson Graciehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlson_GracieNick Diazhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_DiazNate Diazhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_DiazJake Shieldshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_ShieldsGilbert Melendezhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_MelendezBJ Pennhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.J._PennJohn Danaherhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Danaher_(martial_artist)Gordon Ryanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_RyanMusic “Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A Get in touch! This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, editor & coproducer by Ryan Turner, producer & marketing Robbie Lockie, music kindly provided by Robel Borja.