Professor Crosley Gracie
Crosley Gracie
Crosley Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, son of Rosley Gracie and grandson of the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie. He began training in 1988 with uncle Reylson Gracie. A few years later, Crosley’s family relocated, making it difficult to further his training where he started. In 1992, Crosley began training under another uncle’s supervision, Carlson Gracie. Late that year, Crosley entered his first competition, winning his first-ever Jiu-Jitsu match by triangle choke.
Crosley continued his training throughout the 90s in Brazil under various Black Belts from the Carlson Gracie team, participating in and winning several tournaments, including the Brazilian Nationals (SLBJJ) and the first European Jiu-Jitsu Championships, organized by SLBJJ. In 1999, Crosley moved to the U.S.A. to further improve his fighting and teaching skills by studying Wrestling, Boxing, and Muay Thai.
In 2003, Professor Crosley was awarded his Black Belt by cousin Ralph Gracie and made his professional debut in MMA, defeating the experienced Pancrase Welterweight Champion (29-13-7) from Japan, in a non-title bout, by unanimous decision at the Pancrase 10th Anniversary Event in Tokyo, Japan.
In his second appearance in Mixed Martial Arts competition at Pride Bushido 5, also in Japan, Crosley went 2-0 with a submission win against highly regarded ring veteran Hayato Sakurai (35-9-2), considered to be one of the best and most exciting welterweight fighters in the world, who was never submitted in competition before.
In 2005, Professor Crosley Gracie opened a 7000 sq/ft. facility in Northern California and continues to pass along to others all the knowledge and experience acquired over 30 years of training in combat sports and athletics. Crosley's last competition was a gold medal in the 2010 No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Worlds in the Black Belt Masters division after a 4-year layoff from competition.
Crosley is now focused on dedicating all his time to raising his daughter, and operating and teaching classes at Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Such commitment to the community has earned Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy the “Best of Brentwood Reader's Poll Award” since 2009.
"My mission is to provide my students a clean, respectful, and disciplined place for Martial Arts training where they can express themselves, explore, and improve their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Through my family's training traditions and beliefs, I strive to introduce them to all the key elements for an improved and healthier lifestyle to help maintain an excellent quality of life.
As a third-generation Martial Arts academy owner and fighter, combat sports have always been a part of my life. In my martial arts career, I've come across, trained with, and learned from the best in the industry. Through training, I've been exposed to and interacted with members from all social classes, enabling me to experience the powerful and positive influence martial arts training has had in many people’s lives.
All the time spent in my youth observing, training with, and learning from legendary fighters, including members of my own family, was invaluable. This privilege, in addition to my training and competition experiences, enables me to select the most efficient training methods for anyone who walks into our gym, men, women, and children of all ages. "