# Cesar Gracie

> Black Belt

## Overview

**Name:** Cesar Gracie

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt


## Bio

A key figure in the Gracie family’s expansion into the United States, Cesar Gracie was raised by the Gracie side after his parents separated, with grappling ingrained from childhood. After a stint in the US Marines, he returned to America in 1990, training at Rorion Gracie’s academy before receiving his black belt from his uncle Robson Gracie in 1992. He was the main catalyst for the Machado brothers’ move north in 1988 and later established his own academy in Northern California, bringing cousin Ralph Gracie to work alongside him. A participant in closed-door No Holds Barred events, he is often noted as holding a 14-0 record in those before making his professional MMA debut at age 40 in March 2006, losing to Frank Shamrock by first-round KO.
## Specialties

- N/A
## Lineage

- Carlos Gracie (Red Belt)
- Robson Gracie (Red Belt)

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**Last Updated:** September 08, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/cesar-gracie)