Rigan and Cousin Rolls Gracie

Who would you say was the biggest influence in your early years?

RIGAN: Rolls Gracie was one of the most aggresive fighters around at that time. He taught me that the more aggressive we are, the less defensive we need to be. He emphesized the attacks in jiujitsu. He was the best instructor I had in terms of aggresssion and attack.

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Although Rolls Gracie was Carlos Gracie's biological son, he was raised since infancy by Helio Gracie, whom he called father.

From a very early age, Rolls demonstrated amazing courage and an indomitable spirit. Rolls was a gifted athlete with a tremendous competitor's spirit. He excelled in all of the sports that he ventured into, which included soccer, surfing, judo, wrestling, sambo, and of course, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. A dedicated and patient teacher and innovator, Rolls was one of the first Gracies to begin integrating the techniques of other martial arts into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

He is considered one of the greatest Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belts of all time. To this day, he's fondly remembered as the "Guru" by the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Community because of his extraordinary vision and impeccable technique. An exceptional individual, Rolls was a man of small needs and great character.

ll time. He is referred to as Jitsu Community because of his vision and great techniques. Rolls was one of the first to in