Gracie Jiu Jitsu Athens at American Black Belt Academy

09/08/2026

Septembers Move of Month! The Darce Choke🥋check out the YouTube video for the full breakdown and details so you can hit the Darce choke too! Link in bio

09/07/2026

In observance of Labor Day, there will be no classes on Monday, September 7th.

Enjoy the long weekend, rest up, and spend quality time with family and friends! We’ll be back on our regular class schedule tomorrow September 8th. See you all back on the mats! 🥋

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

Why train Gracie Jiu-Jitsu? 🥋

Sure, you’ll learn how to defend yourself… but you’ll get a whole lot more out of it too.

🥋 Self Defense — Learn skills that can actually help you protect yourself.

😮‍💨 Stress Relief — Nothing clears your head quite like getting a good workout in and leaving it all on the mats.

🤝 Community — Train with good people, make new friends, and become part of a team.

💪 Confidence — There’s something about learning a skill, overcoming challenges, and seeing yourself improve that builds confidence.

🧠 Calm Under Pressure — Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to stay calm, think, and work through problems when things get tough.

🔥 Fitness & Cardio — Get stronger, improve your conditioning, and have fun doing it.

You come for the Jiu-Jitsu. You stay for everything else.

🥋 Link Self Defense to Self Development.

09/02/2026

Every class 😐

09/02/2026

"Was Rickson Gracie REALLY as good as the legends claimed?"

In the 1990s, Rickson was an almost mythical figure. Most fighters only heard stories or watched low-quality VHS tapes of his fights. But what actually happened when the top champions of the era stepped onto the mat with him?

In a interview to PVT channel, BJJ legend Márcio Feitosa detailed the behind-the-scenes moments of a legendary, closed-door training session at Big Head's house featuring a stacked lineup of icons: Nino Schembri, Renzo Gracie, Roleta, Draculino, Soca, Gordo, and Feitosa himself.

Here is what went down behind closed doors:

"I didn't stand a chance..."

Feitosa, who was a blue belt at the time, recalls how fast Rickson caught him using an old-school technique:

"He caught me very quickly and submitted me. I didn't stand a chance. He used a choke from the half-guard, crossing the hand deep in the collar, bringing the other arm over the shoulder, switching the base, and choking from there. People don't use that much anymore."

Dominating a Room Full of World Champions

Getting caught by Rickson was one thing, but what happened next left everyone in awe:

"The incredible part was that he kept training for a long period... I saw all that technique people talked about in stories actually executed. He dominated everyone and submitted everyone, one after another."

A Presence Beyond the Mat

More than just his unbeatable technique, Feitosa highlighted Rickson's character and aura off the mat:

"He is the type of person where, if you get close to him, feel his presence, and exchange ideas, it's not an ordinary day—it's a special day... He always had a comment about courage, about discipline—things that pass a message that strengthens you."

📷 Luckily, a single photograph was taken that day to prove it wasn't just another myth: "If they hadn't taken that photo, I wouldn't have any physical memory of that day."

Have you ever trained with a martial arts legend who completely lived up to the hype?

Let us know in the comments! 👇👇

09/01/2026

The best thing about Jiu Jitsu? You never stop learning.