About

Clark Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Gracie Allegiance Academy

The Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu - Gracie Allegiance Academy offers the best training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego CA USA for beginners, to pro Mixed Martial Artists, and Law Enforcement.  At the Academy, we focus on the team; Meaning you, the student. Not everyone has the same reasons for training in the Martial Arts. Some enjoy the exercise, others want to learn self-defense, and some may wish to pursue a career in MMA or competition. The philosophy of this Team is to teach functional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that you will keep with you for the rest of your life. You will not get watered down technique, or be taught how to win a tournament without knowing how to defend yourself on the street.  We will teach you to be comfortable anywhere, with or without strikes; on the feet, on the ground, off your back, how to control the situation, and how to have fun while learning it! Many of our students are Law Enforcement, Mixed Martial Artists and members of the Armed Forces.  People have diverse needs; that is why we have assembled equally diverse resources for the students at our school.

We are led by Black Belt Professor, Clark Gracie, who is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, the founder of this Martial Art.  Clark is the only Gracie family member living in San Diego who is teaching and still competing regularly.

Carlos Gracie is the older brother and teacher of Helio Gracie. Between the two of them, they developed the most efficient fighting system ever created, Brazilian (Gracie) Jiu Jitsu.  They were able to defeat all different challengers, big and small of all other martial arts. Clark’s father, Carley Gracie, is known as the “Lion of the Gracie family” and earned his black belt from his father, Carlos Gracie.  Carley Gracie is the last of the Gracie fighters to be personally trained and coached by Carlos Gracie.  Carley Gracie is now an 9th Degree Red Belt.

Carlos taught the art of style, skill, thought and technique. His style and success was not developed through brute strength and aggressive power but rather, formulated from an almost scientific process of maneuvering, patience, flexibility, diet, strength of mind, strength of will, and self control.
Clark earned his black belt under his father. Like his father, Clark practices and teaches techniques that rely on position and leverage.  At our academy, we teach that small details are very important to get the full advantage of the technique.

Our instructors are hands-on teachers, often rolling with students of various ranks and skill levels. We teach philosophy, focusing on clearly explaining the principles of the techniques of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, in a way that people can understand.  We then incorporate drills that help students internalize those techniques in order to use them in live situations.