The life changing transformations of Gracie University students motivated the brothers to teach the art. Even more important, Ryron and Rener recognized the profound impact the family’s art had on all who studied it. But, it wasn’t until they observed their father and uncles – Royce, Rickson, and Royler – easily winning challenge matches that they began to comprehend fully the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. As children, they watched him teach private classes in their garage in Southern California. Rorion introduced his sons to the art as soon as they could walk. Ryron and Rener were born into this family tradition of testing the art against all challengers. Rorion’s younger brother, Royce, won 3 of the first 4 UFC tournaments proving that the leverage-based techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu provided the most reliable way to defeat a larger, more athletic opponent. In 1993, Rorion created the Ultimate Fighting Championship to showcase the supremacy of the family’s self-defense system in a realistic “no holds barred” confrontation against all comers.
Their father is Rorion Gracie, one of the world’s foremost experts in self-defense. Ryron and Rener Gracie are the eldest grandsons of Grand Master Helio Gracie, the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
