About Gracie Barra San Diego

Gracie Barra San Diego, the area’s premiere Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school, was founded in 1991 by Professor Nelson Monteiro. Initially based out of Monteiro’s garage, his following grew quickly, spurring him to a larger Del Mar location by 1993.

It was at the new location that Monteiro began training a student called Bin. After eight months of training, Bin revealed himself as Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nayan, son of the former ruler of the United Arab Emirates and made Monteiro a business proposition he could not refuse: he invited Monteiro to move to the UAE and become the Sheik’s private Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor. After four years of proving the effectiveness of his sport in Abu Dhabi, Monteiro went on to become one of the founders of the ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championship. During this period, he trained many athletes who subsequently became mixed martial arts (MMA) and Jiu-Jitsu champions.

Professor Monteiro briefly returned to Brazil, but wanted to continue to spread the teachings of Master Carlos Gracie, Jr. and ultimately returned to San Diego in 2005 re-opening Gracie Barra San Diego in Encinitas. With a growing student base, Monteiro invited Professor Rafael Ramos to join the business in 2006 and teach at GBSD.

Gracie Barra San Diego students have the advantage of learning from the only instructors in San Diego to have trained directly under and solely with Master Carlos Gracie Jr. himself at the original Gracie Barra Academy. Professors Monteiro and Ramos have trained and taught with many of the best instructors and fighters in the sport, and possibly the world.

Professors Monteiro and Ramos train and teach Monday through Sunday. The GBSD curriculum was developed to satisfy all your martial arts needs in a family and-friendly, safe and positive environment. If you want to become part of our family and let Jiu-Jitsu improve the quality of you life, contact us now to schedule your free introductory class.