# Steve Maxwell ("Steve")

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## Overview

**Name:** Steve Maxwell

**Nickname:** Steve

**Date of Birth:** December 03, 1952 (age 73)


## Bio

Steve Maxwell, the first American black belt under Relson Gracie, built his reputation as a foundational figure in East Coast jiu-jitsu. A Division 1 NCAA wrestler at West Chester University, he discovered Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 1989 at a seminar led by Rorion, Royce, and Royler Gracie, earning his blue belt in six months. He opened Maxercise in Philadelphia, the first Gracie-approved academy on the U.S. eastern coast, and later invested in the early UFCs while serving as Royce Gracie’s strength and conditioning coach for UFC I through III. After winning the Pan American Championship as a purple belt, he was awarded his black belt by Relson Gracie in November 2000 following a two-hour exam of 165 self-defense techniques.
## Specialties

- n/a
## Achievements

- Pan American Champion – IBJJF (1999 purple / 2000 brown / 2002, 2004, 2006 black – senior)
- International Masters & Seniors Champion (2000 weight & absolute brown – senior 3 / 2002 black senior 2)
- US National Champion – GJJTA (1997 purple)
- US National Championship Runner-up – GJJTA (1998 purple belt)

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**Last Updated:** September 24, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/steve-maxwell)