Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training facility located in Pleasant Hill, California and is home to numerous highly ranked mixed martial artists who compete in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

History

The academy was opened by Cesar Gracie. It rose to prominence in the late 2000s based on the success of a close-knit group of Gracie students known as the "Skrap Pack": Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez, and brothers Nick and Nate Diaz. All fought primarily in the

Strikeforce Strike Force may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games * ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game *'' Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game *'' Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game *''Marvel Strike Force'', ...

promotion at that time and were some of its most popular stars. Prior to Jake Shields' UFC signing in 2010, Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu housed champions in three of five weight classes in the Strikeforce promotion. This success helped Cesar Gracie secure a position among the nominees for "Coach of the Year" at the Fighters Only 2010 World MMA Awards. On April 17, 2010, members of the Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu camp were involved in a brawl following the main event at Strikeforce: Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee. The incident began as Jason Miller, a former opponent of Jake Shields, interrupted Shields' post-fight interview following his decision victory over Dan Henderson. Shields, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez scuffled with Miller after he asked Shields for a rematch. In response to the brawl, the Tennessee Athletic Commission recommended a range of fines and suspensions for the fighters involved.

Notable fighters

* Bret Bergmark - Strikeforce welterweight fighter *

Cody McKenzie Cody Steven McKenzie (born December 16, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently serving a four-year suspension for providing a fake urine sample during a drug test. A professional competitor since 2007, McKenzie mostly competed ...

- The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 contestant. * Leslie Smith - Invicta FC Bantamweight Fighter *

Gil Castillo Gil Philip Castillo (born October 21, 1965) is an Americans, American professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. A professional from 1998 until 2006, he fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC, World Extreme Cagefighting, W ...

- UFC veteran, welterweight fighter * Nate Diaz - UFC lightweight fighter and The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 winner * Nick Diaz - UFC welterweight fighter and former

and WEC champion. * David Douglas - Strikeforce lightweight fighter * Gilbert Melendez -

lightweight champion * Dave Bautista - WWE professional wrestler, actor,

MMA fighter Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

, and purple belt under Cesar Gracie * Daniel Roberts - UFC welterweight * Yancy Medeiros - UFC welterweight fighter * Jake Shields - WSOF

middleweight champion and Elite XC welterweight champion, third place finisher in the under 77KG division at the 2005 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship * Joe Schilling - Glory Middleweight kickboxer, Bellator Middleweight fighter * David Terrell - UFC veteran, middleweight fighter, third place finisher in the under 88KG division at the 2003 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship

References

External links

*
Gym information at FiveKnuckles.com
{{MMA Team List Mixed martial arts training facilities Karate training facilities Brazilian jiu-jitsu training facilities Sports in the San Francisco Bay Area Education in Contra Costa County, California

History

Notable fighters

See also

References

External links