R.I.P. Mestre Carlson Gracie

We received news that Carlson Gracie passed away this morning in Chicago. Mestre Carlson was a great fighter and once held the title of Gracie family champion. As a teacher and coach, he built one of the strongest jiu-jitsu teams in existence and helped develop numerous champions on the mat and in the ring and cage. Famous fighters including Amaury Bitteti, Ze Mario, Murilo Bustamante and others once listed Carlson as their instructor.

Carlson had been living in Chicago for a number of years, heading up an academy with his son (Carlson Jr.). He was in the process of building a strong jiu-jitsu and NHB team at the time of his death. His presence will be sorely missed by the entire jiu-jitsu community.

R.I.P.