Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

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Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Founded by	Cesar Gracie
Primary owners	Cesar Gracie
Primary trainers	Ismael Mota Nick Diaz David Terrell Nate Diaz Jake Shields Richard Perez
Current titleholders	None.
Past titleholders	Nick Diaz - former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, former WEC Welterweight Champion Gilbert Melendez - former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, former WEC Lightweight Champion Jake Shields - former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, former Elite XC Welterweight Champion, former Shooto Middleweight Champion
Prominent fighters	Nick Diaz Jake Shields Gilbert Melendez Nate Diaz Joe Schilling
Training facilities	Pleasant Hill, California San Francisco, California Lodi, California

Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training facility located in Pleasant Hill, California and is home to numerous highly ranked mixed martial artists who compete in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

History[]

The academy was opened by Cesar Gracie. It rose to prominence in the late 2000s based on the success of a close-knit group of Gracie students known as the "Skrap Pack": Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez, and brothers Nick and Nate Diaz. All fought primarily in the Strikeforce promotion at that time and were some of its most popular stars.

Prior to Jake Shields' UFC signing in 2010, Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu housed champions in three of five weight classes in the Strikeforce promotion. This success helped Cesar Gracie secure a position among the nominees for "Coach of the Year" at the Fighters Only 2010 World MMA Awards.^[1]

On April 17, 2010, members of the Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu camp were involved in a brawl following the main event at Strikeforce: Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee. The incident began as Jason Miller, a former opponent of Jake Shields, interrupted Shields' post-fight interview following his decision victory over Dan Henderson. Shields, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez scuffled with Miller after he asked Shields for a rematch. In response to the brawl, the Tennessee Athletic Commission recommended a range of fines and suspensions for the fighters involved.^[2]

Notable fighters[]

• Ismael Mota - 4Degree Black Belt under Cesar Gracie.World Champion,American Nationals Champion, Pan American Champion,Multiple Time Winner of Grapplers Quest and NAGA(North American Grappiling Association) ADCC Veteran
• Bret Bergmark - Strikeforce welterweight fighter
• Cody McKenzie - The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 contestant.
• Leslie Smith - Invicta FC Bantamweight Fighter
• Gil Castillo - UFC veteran, welterweight fighter
• Nate Diaz - UFC lightweight fighter and The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 winner
• Nick Diaz - UFC welterweight fighter and former Strikeforce and WEC champion.
• David Douglas - Strikeforce lightweight fighter
• Gilbert Melendez - Strikeforce lightweight champion
• Dave Bautista - WWE professional wrestler, actor, MMA fighter, and purple belt under Cesar Gracie
• Daniel Roberts - UFC welterweight fighter
• Yancy Medeiros - UFC welterweight fighter
• Jake Shields - WSOF Strikeforce middleweight champion and Elite XC welterweight champion, third place finisher in the under 77KG division at the 2005 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
• Joe Schilling - Glory Middleweight kickboxer, Bellator Middleweight fighter
• David Terrell - UFC veteran, middleweight fighter, third place finisher in the under 88KG division at the 2003 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship

See also[]

• List of Top Professional MMA Training Camps

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Gym information at FiveKnuckles.com