How many people have checked out gracieuniversity.com and what are your thoughts

[Travis Reichert]

So when the gracieuniversity.com site was set up and a friend of mine told me about it I thought I would check it out. So you can achieve rank under Hyron and Hener and be recognized as an offical Gracie student. When you start to look at the lesson fees of 7-14 bucks per lesson and belt promotion fees of $80 and 40 or 80 per stripe I don't remember it seems rediculous. BJJ is not a very economical friendly hobby or life choice to compete or advance in I understand, but I feel the Gracie have totally sold out in America the embrace the idea of capitalism to the fullest. I understand that Helio refined technique of jujitsu and created BJJ, but what his sons and grandsons are doing with what he created is almost a mockery of what he created the system for. I respect all BJJ and understand people trying to grow a business with it but the Gracies are selling their name more than anything to profit. Much respect to Eddie Bravo for tweaking everything he learned from Jean Jacques Machado and other to modernize jiu-jitsu and not trying to take peoples money, but instead spread Jiu-Jitsu is a well represented manner. Thank You Eddie.

[Clinton lawrence]

i was all for this course until i rolled with a guy repping 10th planet and got my arse handed to me it made me think that its not jujitsu i want to do ive spoke to rener and ryron a bunch of times good dudes real good dudes but it annoyed me the 'pure jujitsu ' bullshit i want to train i love to fight and i want to compete

[Kevin Madsen]

I think that their lust for cash is pretty sick but; I also think that the combatives course they have is a great addition to the sport jiu-jitsu that most people do. I think it is worth it just for learn how they deal with punches from the guard, and I have had good success with their triangle set up. Also the fact that the first lesson is mount escapes is pretty sweet. But I do think that it would suck if that was your only jiu-jitsu.

I should mention that I took an actual "Gracie Combatives" class for about 8 months at an "official training center" in my city. That school has since told the Gracies to suck it due to outrageous fees.

Just my two cents.

[Travis Reichert]

Kevin where I live we don't have shit to do that of thing which trust me I would love to. There is a Saulo Ribeiro affiliate school about an hr away but the instructor isn't that great and not the type of person I like to associate with (arrogant). I went to the Relson Gracie Academy in Columbus since I live in OH and its a great school and Robin Gieseler the BB instructor there is a kewl guy, but thats 2 hrs from where I live. I have seen the Gracie Combative dvd's and they are good. A good thing to get for gaurd play for fighting is Big Nog's book I got that when it first came out and have been working on those techniques when someone punches and have gotten better with practice.

[ifreez]

I thought about this a few times. I might be way off here.
But seriously, imagine your dad created something that someone else eventually scooped up and turned into a billion dollar industry (the UFC).

That is a missed opportunity, probably the biggest of their life. And, there won't be another!!

It's Gotta sting!

[NelsonLucca]

Can't you upload vids to the gracie academy for ranking? I think Eddie should upload one, that would be hilarious.

[Lindsey Loewen]

Im extremely biased in this because I received my belt from GU. I was extremely skeptical at first but my JJ journey led me to want a more linear, structured curriculum instead of having to suck up to an instructor or have the face time for promotions. Most MMA gyms are stupid expensive (the one I used to attend here in Fayetteville was $80 a month with a year contract), if you total it all up its actually quite a deal, especially if you work weird hours or live somewhere remote. My sport game also went up exponentially, I "knew" alot of the basics but was missing alot of details and how to react to the dumber "street opponent" reactions which i did get caught in and lost a few fights. (it was REALLY embarrassing). I lose to alot of other blue belts but I win alot too, the whole things about "online belt sales" really is hype, you have to demonstrate (to a very technical degree) profeciency againts a resistant opponent. Check out the Testing center page and see if you could pass. I dont like the flame war, I love 10th planet and am a avid fan, but after several injuries I favor the traditionalistic, self defense, safe option. (BTW, they also include strikes, weapons defense and multiple opponents in their curriculum!) Dont get the wrong idea, if you dont study 10th, someone out there will eventually trap you in the Sorcerer. Not bashing 10th at all. Just trying to defend my method of study. I now spar with MMA gloves, with the partner actually trying to GNP me and have gotten really good at performing JJ while nullifying strikes, so atleast for me, the evidence is good enough. Much respect!

[Travis Reichert]

Im extremely biased in this because I received my belt from GU. I was extremely skeptical at first but my JJ journey led me want a more linear, structured curriculum instead of having to suck up to an instructor or have the face time for promotions. Most MMA gyms are stupid expensive (the one I used to attend here in Fayetteville was $80 a month with a year contract), if you total it all up its actually quite a deal, especially if you work weird hours or live somewhere remote. My sport game also went up exponentially, I "knew" alot of the basics but was missing alot of details and how to react to the dumber "street opponent" reactions which i did get caught in and lost a few fights. (it was REALLY embarrassing). I lose to alot of other blue belts but I win alot too, the whole things about "online belt sales" really is hype, you have to demonstrate (to a very technical degree) profeciency againts a resistant opponent. Check out the Testing center page and see if you could pass. I dont like the flame war, I love 10th planet and am a avid fan, but after several injuries I favor the traditionalistic, self defense, safe option. (BTW, they also include strikes, weapons defense and multiple opponents in their curriculum!) Dont get the wrong idea, if you dont study 10th, someone out there will eventually trap you in the Sorcerer. Not bashing 10th at all. Just trying to defend my method of study. Much respect!

I understand where you are coming from and I have an account on that site for well over a year as well. I just didnt want to pay thousand of dollars to get higher rank because if you add everything up thats what its coming out to same as going to a BJJ school. I understand the whole instructor thing but if they are legit they should also be fair. Could I video tape my-self and pass the combatives and get a blue belt yes I think so, because I have a few years experience of working with purple and brown belts doing endless number of drills. I have nothing against their program just the price of doing so.

[Lindsey Loewen]

It is pricey, but BJJ is only going to get pricier. The top MMA gym here in Fayetteville is like i said $80 a month with a year contract, so $960 a year. Its a Royce Gracie school so they are pretty tough on promotions (except when he shows up to seminars and promotes EVERYONE that paid $50 to attend-me included) so think about 10-12 years to make BB and thats about 12G's. It cost about $7500 total for GU to get to BB with the instructor qualification and a $600 plane ticket from the east coast (assuming you pass every test the first time). It looked expensive to me because it actually has a price tag, but big picture it worked out as a deal. Plus, you can share the lessons and Gracie Garages (I know pretty pubescent sounding) are free. The certified centers and Headquarters are stupid expensive though.

[Travis Reichert]

I agree with you 100% on all that. I noticed it has taken awhile for them to put up the first strip requirements and they have their reasoning of getting the video right and all that, but it almost seems to take to long for them to have it posted since it established and all. I have been lucky enough to find my-self in a position where I can affiliated with a BJJ gym through the gym im at now cheaper than most. I understand fully why you are doing the video testing and it is a legit program and the Gracie garages are a good idea. I just dont have any of those around close enough to go to while working and part time and being a full time college student.