# Rickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist and member of the legendary Gracie family. The third oldest son of Hélio Gracie, he competed during an era when the Gracie name was synonymous with martial arts dominance. In July 2017, he received promotion to ninth-degree red belt, the second-highest ranking in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His reputation as a fighter and practitioner has made him one of the most revered figures in grappling history.
Career
During the 1980s and 1990s, Rickson Gracie was widely considered to be the best fighter of the Gracie clan and one of the toughest in the world. This recognition came during a pivotal period for Brazilian jiu-jitsu's global expansion, when the Gracie family was demonstrating their system's effectiveness against practitioners of other martial arts.
As the third oldest son of Hélio Gracie, Rickson grew up in the heart of Brazilian jiu-jitsu's founding lineage. He is brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie—a family tree that reads like a who's who of grappling royalty.
His career trajectory eventually led to his recognition as a ninth-degree red belt in July 2017, placing him at the second-highest ranking possible in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This promotion acknowledged not only his technical mastery but his decades of contribution to the art.
Legacy
Rickson Gracie's standing within the Gracie family carries particular weight given the clan's role in developing and spreading Brazilian jiu-jitsu worldwide. Being widely regarded as the best fighter among the Gracies during the 1980s and 1990s—when multiple family members were actively competing and teaching—speaks to the respect he commanded from both family and opponents.
His ninth-degree red belt status represents a rarefied level of achievement in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The red belt traditionally recognizes not just technical excellence but lifetime dedication to the art, and Rickson's promotion to this rank cements his place among the discipline's most important figures. As one of Hélio Gracie's sons who carried forward the family's martial arts tradition, Rickson helped establish the reputation that Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the Gracie name maintain today.
