Rorion Gracie

Rorion Gracie is a martial artist and a prominent member of the Gracie family. He is the eldest son of Hélio Gracie [Gracie Academy. [http://www.gracieacademy.com/rorion_gracie.html Rorion Gracie] . "www.gracieacademy.com". URL accessed on April 8, 2006.] and one of the few people in the world to hold a 9th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, [BJJ.org. [http://www.bjj.org/a/people/gracie-rorion.html Rorion Gracie] . "www.bjj.org". URL last accessed on April 8, 2006.] receiving that promotion on October 27, 2003 from his father.

Biography

Gracie was one of the founders of the Ultimate Fighting Championship [Montgomery, Cliff. [http://www.extremeprosports.com/full_contact_fighting/history_of_ufc.html The History of the UFC - Part 1] . "www.extremeprosports.com". URL last accessed on April 8, 2006] His vision for the production was to never shy away from violent spectacle. In keeping with the gladiatorial roots of combat sport, Gracie designed the original Octagon to be surrounded by a moat with alligators. He is founder and owner of the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California.

Gracie, who holds a bachelors degree in law, is known for strongly defending the trademarks he claims for the term "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu" and for the triangle logo associated with his academy. In 1999-2000 he was involved with a legal dispute with his cousin Carley Gracie for trademark infringement. Rorion ultimately won his lawsuit and was awarded $108,000 in damages (along with $620,000 in attorney's fees) from Carley for infringement of the triangle logo trademark, though the jury found in favour of Carley that Rorion did not have a valid federal trademark for the name "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu [ [http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F3/217/217.F3d.1060.98-16386.98-15672.html CARLEY GRACIE et al v RORION GRACIE et al - Docket Numbers 98-15672, 98-16386] - United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit] .

Personal life

Rorion Gracie has nine children. His current (2008) wife is Silvia [ [http://www.gracieacademy.com/rorion_gracie.html Rorion Gracie biography] ] .

References