# Luis Heredia

> Black Belt

## Overview

**Name:** Luis Heredia

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt


## Bio

A Zona Sul kid from Copacabana, Luis Heredia chose Jiu-Jitsu at 15 after watching the local street fights, where the Gracie boys always won. He cycled through Osvaldo Alves, the Carlson Gracie academy, and Mario Tallarico’s school before settling at Gracie Humaita at blue belt, drawn by his friendship with Royler Gracie. Awarded his purple belt in 1987, he moved to the US that same year alongside Rickson and Ralph Gracie to help Rorion and Royce expand their academies. He left the main Gracie school with Rickson, spending 12 years helping him franchise gyms from Pico Boulevard to Pacific Palisades, earning his brown belt in 1991 and his black belt from Rickson in 1995. In 2002 he relocated to Maui, Hawaii, founding Maui Jiu Jitsu.
## Achievements

- Pan American Champion (2005, 2006, 2007 senior 2 black belt)
- Copa Pacifica Champion (2000 black belt)
- Annual Joe Moreira Champion (1997 black belt)
- Pan American Silver Medallist (1996, 1998 Master black belt, 2004, 2008 and 2009 senior 2)
- Joe Moreira Invitational (1997 black belt)
## Lineage

- Rickson Gracie

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**Last Updated:** September 08, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/luis-heredia)