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Richard Bresler
Bio
Richard Bresler is widely recognized as the first American student of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, having begun his training under Rorion Gracie in the late 1970s. Over the past four decades, Bresler has been instrumental in introducing and promoting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in the United States.
Early Life and Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu
In 1979, seeking relief from chronic pain and personal challenges, Bresler met Rorion Gracie, a member of the renowned Gracie family from Brazil. This meeting marked the beginning of his journey into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He became Rorion's first regular student in Los Angeles, training in the garage of their shared residence in Hermosa Beach, California. This garage would later become known as the first "Gracie Garage," a foundational element in the spread of BJJ in the U.S.
Contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Bresler played a pivotal role in the early promotion and establishment of BJJ in America:
Gracie Academy: He provided financial support that facilitated the founding of the original Gracie Academy, a central hub for teaching and promoting BJJ in the United States.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC):Bresler was an early investor in the inception of the UFC, an organization that has since become a global platform for mixed martial arts (MMA).
Memoir: "Worth Defending"
In his memoir, "Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life," Bresler chronicles his over 40-year involvement with the Gracie family and BJJ. The book offers an insider's perspective on the growth of BJJ and the early days of the UFC.
Recent Developments
In February 2025, Bresler was promoted to the prestigious rank of coral belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This promotion, conducted by Ryron and Rener Gracie, took place in his hospital room, as Bresler is currently battling stage 3 cirrhosis of the liver. This honor reflects his lifetime dedication to the art and his significant contributions to the martial arts community.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Bresler during his health challenges, highlighting the deep respect and admiration the BJJ community holds for him.
Richard Bresler's journey from a student seeking personal improvement to a pioneer of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America illustrates the transformative power of martial arts and underscores his lasting impact on the discipline.
It's funny. When you're coming up and you're striving for your black belt it seems so, so important. I've been a black belt for over twenty years, now. I've been a black belt for longer than it took me to get to black belt: longer than it took me to get through all the other belts combined. At some point in all of that you start to realize that the belt don't actually matter. You start to realize that what matters is being on the mat. What matters is the time you get to spend with this art. The rest of it is just window dressing.
People forget that modern MMA has weight classes and time limits and the guys are wearing gloves. Take those things away and you'll realize very quickly why the art is the way it is.