The Legacy of Rolls Gracie: The Tragic Master

[@j.b.708]

its interesting to hear the 2 main strategies discussed with their origins: slow the flow to wear them down until they make a mistake, capitalize: Helio. speed up the flow until they make a mistake, capitalize: Rolls.

[@HansDavidian]

My instructor got his black belt from Jacare who was one of Rolls' students. Thank you for this.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Spectacular lineage, indeed!

[@latenovembersdream]

Mine was a student of rolls .. but when he died gor his black belt under rickson.. his name .. luiz palhares

[@AffectionateEucalyptusTr-it8uh]

Holy smokes thats good rolls was a true legend ahead of his time to bad he died young 😢❤

[@cabalofdemons]

Everyone should watch the documentary "Gracies And The Birth of Vale Tudo" as it features interviews of Gracie family members describing Rolls' abilities and his contribution to jiu-jitsu. He was the best at the time and Helio showed some animosity towards Rolls because his skill eclipsed his sons. Furthermore, Rolls' death was certainly a tragedy as he died at age 31 and had so much more to give. He was instrumental in the evolution of jiu-jitsu and was the best.

[@alanguages]

He not only had the physical ability, but his open minded evolution of using other grappling arts also. No doubt for me Rolls is the best of the best.

[@cabalofdemons]

Agreed.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Robert Leone lots of legends in that family.

[@saviorJay51]

Thanks for the reference bro!

[@dzenetasuljic8036]

cabalofdemons Zijada jaic

[@raymondayala5355]

Rolls reminds me of Ryan and Rockson Gracie. They lived a fast life pushing the edge. Rockson was the person that got me into Jiu jitsu and changed my life forever 23 years ago. My focus now is to give the gift of Gracie Jiu Jitsu 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@charlesharsha6527]

That’s admirable that you want to pass the art to others

[@rbjj861]

I met Rolls in 1981 and watch him dominate a judo champ with stand up and destroy him on the ground. He also asked me in I wanted to go tandem with him with the hand glider. He was amazing!!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Richard Bresler Thanks for the memory, Professor!

[@Stevie929]

Richard Bresler suuuurreeee...

[@rbjj861]

Zaziar what does that mean?

[@stgeorge6947]

Richard Bresler the hand glider he died on? Bs

[@rbjj861]

Trippy Uk no, he died in 82. I was there in 81

[@ghostfacekrueger]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. I love your content and your fascination with Jujutsu history which bleeds in to your storytelling abilities. Keep doing what you are doing and hopefully one day I can train at Kama.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Ghost Face awww! Thank you!

[@AZTigerMMA]

I was adopted so I really love this story

[@bisonmma-kickboxing2511]

AZ Battle School 🙏

[@FlippyHambone]

ROLLS IS JON SNOW!!!

[@rhinobridge]

I came here to say the same haha

[@montagistreel]

You know nothing

[@jimmynich4791]

Rolls died on this date 37 years ago, RIP. From what I've read and seen in videos Rolls was ahead of his time and was one of the first Gracies to really cross train and add things from other arts to make BJJ better.

[@mikebowser48]

I love studying the history of our sport. Thank you Ryan for creating these. My biggest fear is that time will pass and we will lose the knowledge of how our sport started and it will change and or become lost all together.

[@foghornnosehorn8383]

5:05 that is the original "NoGi" outfit. I'm buying a speedo and wearing it next no-gi class.

[@christopherwalker6056]

😆 Awesome. Thank you, I needed that laugh.

[@JohnIniguez-xt2pv]

Attitude of gratitude for who you are and all you share.

[@FightCommentary]

Rolls sounds like the Bruce Lee of the Gracie family!

[@timothysmith9107]

Rolls grappling + Bruce Lee’s striking = Power level over 9000

[@blackenskatography9928]

Ya man!!! i felt that too!!! except that Rolls have a more tragic story than Bruce's have!!!

[@nikiktwotwo4470]

It was exactly like that. He improves the bjj by training other martial arts that wasn't mentioned in this video. He brought everything he thought would be useful Ina fight. By the way, that inspired Gracie family to create UFC years later. So basically, he was the uncrowded father of MMA.

[@hamadalrowaie6882]

Shang tsung !! 🖐👺

[@christopherwalker6056]

@Daniel Gigante namely, Mike Tyson. One of the best 'strikers' ever in the history of combat sports.

[@gibbacool2009]

Thanks Mr. Yang for the way you spoke about ROLLS Gracie,as a Brazilian I'm proud of you sir !!!!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Thank you! I have nothing but admiration for GM Rolls, despite never meeting him. Without his influence, GM Rickson may not have developed into what he developed into, and hence, my instructor, Dave Kama.

[@SteveAustinBJJ]

I really enjoyed this video and how you told the timeline of Rolls. Also I have had the honor of training with Marcio a few times and at first I didn't know that he was under Rolls until he was telling stories and saying my Master Rolls. I felt extremely honored to be listening to a simple story like this and once again falling back in love with Jiujitsu. Thanks for sharing this

[@RiniHaerinnisya]

You have such an amazing storytelling way that I could literally nodding at the screen while you say something that I agreed to. I’m new in BJJ and your video helps me to understand better the story behind and put more respect to everyone. Thanks for sharing :-)

[@darylkenny4562]

I’ve been around jiu jitsu for nearly 20 years now and so I was familiar with the name Rolls Gracie and knew the history. What drew me here was after listening to the Lex Friedman podcast with John Danaher, GSP and Gordon Ryan. I wondered what John’s bjj lineage was. Turns out it is Renzo, Carlos Jr, Rolls, Helio. I thought hmm that’s a crazy amount of talent! So then I remembered from years ago learning that Rickson also got his black belt from Rolls (or trained to black belt with Rolls, though it may have been Helio who actually gave it to him). So then I started looking at the lineages of many of the top grapplers of the past 20+ years. Gordon Ryan, Gary Tonon, Renzo Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Roger Gracie, Kron Gracie, JJ Machado, Eddie Bravo…and so many more. They all come from the Rolls lineage. When you start to break it down that way it becomes super clear just how incredible and how important he was and still is to the art today.

[@seanb1482]

The story about wanting the quick submission is true. Master Marcio still tells this story at his academy to us and has always remembered all these years later.

[@krl52]

Rolls,My Late Teacher Carlson Gracie's Brother. ~ The GREATEST!

[@SwordTune]

The candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long.

[@rootstriker1618]

Love it

[@robertnewell4054]

Rolls sounds like a true pioneer & trailblazer. His untimely death makes you wonder what the Grappling World would look like today if he was able to pursue his vision. R.I.P. Master Rolls

[@llcrs9640]

Rolles Gracie Jr is the replica of his grandfather. Amazing

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

I always thought it weird when people call him “jr.” His name is Rolles. His father was not “Rolles,” he was “Rolls.”

[@matthewcoreyvilla5674]

Rolls was light years ahead of his time, as the legend goes. He crossed trained and made himself aware to all martial arts. Myth or lore or outright tales, many the Gracie family speak very highly of the man. Out of every legend, facts “lie.” Would love to have seen what the family might have been if he lived longer.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

We all wish that.

[@chriskelau421]

Late to the game , but very thankful that I got to learn more of Gracie history ... Awesome 💯👊🏾🙏🏾🤙🏾

[@victorhieber703]

Thank you very much for making this video. Great info on Rolls background and upbringing. Someone needs to make some shirts of Rolls

[@HerreraCam]

I love hearing stories about Rolls, too. Thank you so much. #AllianceBJJ

[@ctb3386]

Thank you for the video. I am fortunate to be able to train at Igors' academy in NY where he continues the legacy in all respects.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

That is awesome!

[@kingkpin100]

Thank you so much for this video!!!

[@elvergalarga6016]

Video came up right after bob Anderson's video about rolls. Good stuff

[@vincespell]

Rolls was raised by Helio because he was born out of wedlock! Carlos's wife would not allow Rolls to live with the family so Helio took him in and raised him as his son. Carlos son's knew he was their brother and he was exposed to his brothers a lot but for the most part he was raised with Rorion, Relson and Rickson and later became Roylers mentor! Rolls also spent time in Mexico training wrestling with the Mexican's this is how wrestling technique were integrated into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or at least this is what I was told. I had a conversation with Royler about Rolls and Royler said he was amazing!

[@shable1436]

Holy cow, great info on the family, such an interesting family, there is even a Gracie practitioner here where I live, master renzo taught him, his name is Tim mannon

[@bwilli1982]

Man I can't get enough of these! Thanks so much!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Breau Williamson thank you.

[@purehell5010]

Thanks so much. I really enjoyed this and you have answered a lot of questions about the Gracie's I have had in your videos. Keep up the good work and keep on rolling man!

[@luisjordan3922]

If you are ever in the east coast, stop by Gracie Sports in Norwalk Ct. Master Marcio is still laying down the pain lol. My favorite place to train jiu-jitsu.

[@adaptiveagile]

Excellent vid and very well-stated. Heard much about this subject this from my own instructor in the Pedro Sauer/Rickson lineage.Some of the best Jiu-Jitsu has come via Jacara, student of Rolls.

[@geraldburgos292]

Thank you for some history on Rolls... so very informative!

[@LuisRodriguez_007]

Rolls and Rener look like almost twins........what a awesome family

[@hgkal808]

Awesome vid bro. I'm not a JJ guy, just someone who loves history and appreciates stories of people of accomplishment. You share stories like you are a grand master historian and orator. I'm impressed. Great work bro!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Thank you, brother!

[@honestlee9921]

when your name is fuckin rolls. you know your gonna be good at rolling

[@ikapatino3214]

Rolls was so handsome he wasnt dark and had colored eyes.

[@plcustodian]

Kama Jiu-Jitsu: Thank you and all respect to you for showing this video of Rolls Gracie. In 2007 I met a relative of Rolls (named Charles Gracie who himself is an instructor) and he told me that Rolls was the best. I would like to know if someday you do a video of the first generation Gracies, Other than Helio and Carlos, I believe there like three other brothers not too many of us know about, if someday you can. Thank You again for this.

[@micahbodha6129]

Rickson was #1

[@MDMOTP]

The Truth about the Zulu Fight! Gacies and Zulu were in a large room discussing the arrangement of a fight between Zulu and one of the Gracie Brothers. Rolls was across the room from Zulu staring at him and pacing back and forth. Zulu said "I will fight anyone except him (Pointing at Rolls across the room) with the deemond eyes. So they choose Rixon. Rolls was the family Champion at the time.

[@inigmaman1]

Very informative Ryan. Thank you. Hope to meet you some day.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+inigmaman1 you’re welcome. Let’s make it sooner rather than later!

[@tscorpio27]

Well said. Thanks for all you do for us!!

[@RedSplinter36]

Your videos professor are amazing! Please please please never stop sir!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Jesse Rangel thank you, sir. Now you’re raising the bar too high!! I’ll try to figure out what to do next...

[@RedSplinter36]

Kama Jiu-Jitsu haha just keep doing what you do sir! Such great information and history as always!

[@SamJ_1980]

Rolls was the family champion, up until the day he died. It's well known that Rickson was better, could and had beaten Rolls one on one, but because the brothers respected each other and the family chain of command so much, Rickson never told anyone he beat his brother, and on the off chance they faced each other in a tournament, Rickson would concede the match. No one was better than Rickson. NO ONE.

[@poopydoodoobritches4780]

Mahalo. That was a great commentary on an amazing man. Aloha

[@enriqueguerrero9551]

As for the first fight rei zulu vs gracie those body slams by zulu would be brutal out on concrete. Broken back at the least. Zulu had super natural strength excellent cardio and very little technique and that was enough to confuse him.

[@victorherreraguzman5014]

I really love your videos man, they are so explanatory, with too many ways of seeing the situation. It's completely amazing

[@ProLookout]

Rolls would've made some great changes in gjj for the better. Beast mode fighters

[@tigermaskly]

This is awesome. Thank you for posting this.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+tigermaskly thank you!

[@DeSmoSmusic]

Thank you for the very informative video keep up all the great work

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Epic Guy Reborn thank you for the encouraging words, sir!

[@jackcole8309]

Even if you are part of Rickson’s team, please feature carley gracie as well...

[@eddieedwards5292]

Helio never doubted the ability of Rickson Gracie that part i don't believe.

[@bananapatch9118]

Great video….love learning the history ! Thx !

[@irongrip]

Thanks for the video! Very informative and it kept me interested throughout the whole thing. I'd only heard the name Rolls before, now I know a little about him - what a legend! :)

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+IronGrip he was a fascinating Grand Master, for sure.

[@BrianBirdy]

Thanks so much for making these videos. Quality 👌🏻

[@abc80s74]

Another awesome video history keep em coming I'm hooked

[@franhdez4711]

Awesome content as always. Big fan of Ryan and Kama BJJ!

[@thebeast9606]

The video of Rolls and Rickson is obviously not too long before he died and Rickson is definitely not a teenager in the video. I believe there is only a 7 year difference between them, so that gap wouldn’t make a huge difference in terms of just age being why Rolls was better, he was due to his knowledge and skill in GJJ being overall better, but also his incorporation of other grappling arts giving him even more of an advantage. The fact that he was so well-rounded means he probably would have always been the best, but if anyone had a chance to be better it would have been Rickson. I wish you’d show some videos of you debating some of Carlos Sr’s lineage on this subject-that would be interesting as I’ve heard even Rickson’s brothers viewed Rolls as the best...

[@parobg]

thank you for this video! by the way I remember watching somebody telling a story about a student of Rolls being beating up just because he was his student. Then Rolls goes to their academy with some people and beats the shit out of everybody... I can't find the video. If somebody can help me out I would really appreciate it. And remember - Rolls would roll :)

[@seanfarrellsullivanhasemotions]

Love this video. Thank you. I'd go with the pronunciation you've heard from a family member of his.

[@MarioUcomics]

Love hearing these stories!

[@KidNato]

Great video. Somebody needs to make a grand Game of Thrones length series about the Gracie's. Such a fascinating family history and story.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Supposedly they are. Netflix series I think. - Rusty

[@visionstonemedia]

Great Work !! Please keep on producing more videos. Your work is solid enough to do a feature length Documentary. Continued success and all the very best to you. I've studied with Rorion and Royce inTorrance and many years with Rickson in LA. I love your work.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Thank you!

[@ECJ49]

I know this is a 6 year old comment and you probably don't use this account anymore. But if you do I'd like your input on something. Do the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu stand up self-defense techniques work in your experience or are they a waste of time learning?

[@blackbeardsmedia]

This is fantastic! Warm Regard's A Jiu Jitsu Irmao Jameson "DOC" Sharp in Kansas City

[@artkingofwholefoods74]

Subscribed! Awesome story telling!!!!!

[@yamashitashorinryu]

Awesome discussion! Well done sir-

[@barryadrianallen]

Fantastic. Thank you.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Barry Allen thank you!

[@bisonmma-kickboxing2511]

Great Historical Info

[@xxxxxbriansanchezyyy]

L.A beast music in the background. HAVE A GOOD DAY!

[@JUGGA_NUTT]

I enjoyed this, thanks for sharing!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+UGOTGLKTOUT it was our pleasure.

[@joesantos1513]

Awesome video!Thank you!

[@ppkrex]

The Arete (good) die young. 'Whom the gods love dies young,' a statement by the Greek historian Herodotus in 'History' (c. 445 B.C.)

[@ReannaPeters12]

Rolls has stunning eyes.

[@deweydoan5968]

Beautiful....mahalo 🙌❤️

[@PlooKon09]

Why isn’t this a Hollywood movie already?!? fantastic story

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

oh, stop! (but say it again, please!) lol.

[@danieldelewis2448]

This was a great video and a really great story

[@jesusmedina4494]

I seen some stats that say Rolls was 5'10" and his soon is massively tall.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

No way he was 5’10”. Prolly more like 5’7” or 5’8”. He was smaller then Rickson.

[@jesusmedina4494]

@@KamaJiuJitsu really?... I'm going off of what I found on Google. By the way there are a lot of Gracie's with names that start with a R. Like Rolls, Rolles, Rolls-Royce, and Royce. I'm confused as to if they're the same person. I see the that Jr. is the son.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Rolls, father to Rolles, oldest brother of Royce.

[@rossbeake5779]

Great story telling man, nice tribute

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Thank you, Ross.

[@joeschmoe9154]

Another great video!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Joe schmoe thank you.

[@edfreded6152]

Thank you for the video ! Greetings from Mayriver Bjj Bluffton s.c

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Greetings!

[@TheLochs]

I used to train with one of his students.

[@genepatino9856]

Great video well spoken.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Thank you

[@MDMOTP]

Who was better Rolls or Rickson? Rickson has admitted that he was catching Rolls in holds early on however, never held them. In other words, he was letting Rolls win. In tournaments, Rickson would give Rolls the win. So the Answer is Rickson even though he never let his older brother know it, out of respect for him.. :)

[@joeferguson2606]

excellent work on this

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

thanks, Joe!

[@charlesbuckingham3467]

Great video. Thanks!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Thank you

[@LoganCharlesII]

7:47 LOL @ that Bob Anderson cover

[@conanthebarbarian7223]

Kron Gracie is the reincarnation of Rolls

[@DonskoyBR-c9l]

Nao Não Nooooo ROLLS The BEST Gracie!!!!

[@terryfonz4603]

Good stuff thanks!

[@justdust7964]

I was always curious if Rolls called Carlos his dad over Helio.

[@s216674]

Good video. It's interesting to speculate on what Rolls could have become had he not passed away so young. However, it's possible that Rickson would have still eclipsed him. There are any number of examples of young prodigies who eventually get passed up by their younger sibling. Sadly, we'll never know either way. One part I found particularly interesting is the emphasis on ending things quickly. This is one of the few areas that I have issues with Ryron and Rener's mindset, which often seems to be one of contentment to be in a bad position and being in no hurry to finish the encounter. There are times when this is good, but if you are in a real self defense situation, there are times when you are going to need to have the ability to end things rapidly, and in so doing, get back to your feet and survey the situation, make sure your family is OK, etc.

[@duncansutherland47]

s216674 Rener and Ryron absolutely encourage you to finish fast, if you can, or run away. However, their entire system is for the weak to defend against a stronger and more athletic attacker. That requires an emphasis on survival first and then submission when the tables turn in the defenders favor. That comes after tiring out the attacker. There fore an emphasis on surviving under all potentially dangerous situations is paramount.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Duncan Sutherland Ryron and Rener absolutely can finish quickly. I think his point is that whole keep it playful mentality, as well as Ryron’s tendency to lock his opponent up and “cruise” there, despite being in a bad position.

[@s216674]

I've seen videos where they advocate getting control and hanging out in the position, and I have commented on them in the past. If I can find it again, I will try to link one of the ones I am referring to. I have no doubts that they can finish someone fast, as they are incredibly skilled.

[@s216674]

Exactly what I am referring to, and not just the tendency to do it, but the advocating for others to do the same. The "Keep it Playful" mentality is great for the mats and the training studio, as it fosters camaraderie and prevents people from getting hurt. Advocating for others to hang out in a self-defense situation is a different story.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+s216674 yeah, our methodology defines Red (bad) and green (good) positions. We teach that when in Red, gtfo, and if you need to rest, do it while in green. But we do have to account for if you have a particularly skilled opponent who can hold you in Red, you need to know how to be safe while trying to gtfo.

[@johnathangrey3463]

I wonder whose the best in Japan. Japanese jui-jit-su is where it started.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Lots of good practitioners in Japan.

[@johnathangrey3463]

Kama Jiu-Jitsu, I know I love it there. I'd rather learn it from Japanese then Brazilians. And that's not rasicts either.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Learn from whom you’re most comfortable learning from.

[@johnathangrey3463]

Kama Jiu-Jitsu the rest of the world sucks at it. But not Japan.

[@jquest43]

Johnathan Grey that would be Yamashooto,17th Dan

[@bjjdad4]

Kid Peligro wrote in "The Gracie Way" that Zulu asked for Rickson because he was afraid of Rolls, so which one of you is correct? Also, there is no way Rickson is a teenager in the video of he and Rolls rolling--judging by the quality it is from the early 80s, probably not long before Rolls died and that would make Rickson at least 22-24. Rickson may have eventually surpassed Rolls, but it is okay to admit at the time Rolls was the best, even both sides of the family acknowledge this.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Sonny Mercado we’re pretty sure that video was when Rickson was 17 or 18 at the oldest. But like I always say, I could be wrong. On Rickson x Zulu, I doubt that’s the story, but who knows?

[@sabakimsg]

I believe the date of the video is 1977 which would make Rickson 17 (Rickson was born 1960). Rickson stated on the Joe Rogan show that he beat Rolls once. Rickson said it was a pivotal moment in his life.

[@rodrigovezza5199]

If you see a Zulu interview, if you get to know his personality, you should know that Zulu was such a tough guy that he would never run from anyone. I really believe that's Rickson was Rolls choice for that fight.

[@socmin030]

@@sabakimsg so we have 3 birth years for Rickson now, '58 / '59 / '60???

[@cajunpoet8701able]

awesome video bro, really enjoy alot of your content. this is gonna sound a little random, but what kind of couch is that?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

That couch is an old carved Hawaiian mahogany (but not Koa) that is circa 1950s that I inherited from my grandparents. The cushions are off amazon (I think).

[@paulruprai1274]

Live fast die young .... cool GOOD guy Halls ..

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Extraordinary people live impressive, although often compressed, lives.

[@boricuaislife5511]

The best Gracie....

[@drektar7736]

this was a interesting story! but im still bad at math

[@HumanInterested]

This is great. What documentary is @3:10 from?

[@DavidPittsChess]

Jacare's lineage...

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+David Pitts for sure.

[@5HT_Ronin]

Is there another Jacare? One not born in 1979?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

+Monkey King David is referring to his master, Master Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti - the FIRST Jacare.

[@Frank_999Scoobydooby]

Yes the founder of Alliance Jiu Jitsu, Romero Cavalcanti, www.alliancebjj.com/#/

[@harvestblades]

@@KamaJiuJitsu I have been a fan of BJJ since I first stumbled across UFC 1 in '97. I can only imagine how bjj could of changed my future if I would of found it in jr high. Regardless I have been a fan for years, but finances & health are now allowing me to train. While I know many of the bjj legendary names, these videos, and even comments do such a great job fleshing them out, and assembling the lineages, and even the unique characteristics we see. Thank you for this.