Who we are:
- We are the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu network in Europe to offer authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu… and have been doing so since 1995.
- Our Gracie lineage is: Hélio Gracie -> Pedro Hemetério -> Franco Vacirca -> our Gracie Concepts®-certified ICP instructors!
- With over 15 partner schools and numerous (smaller) training groups (known as Gracie Concepts® Garages) throughout Europe, we have a broad presence and offer the official training program developed by the Vacirca Brothers. Click here to register as a partner school >>
- Prof. Franco Vacirca began practicing BJJ in the late 1980s and , in 1996 , became the first European to receive a black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr., president of the Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu (CBJJ/IBJJF).
- Prof. Franco was the last private student of GM Pedro Hemetério (Professor Pedro), the first red belt of GM Hélio Gracie.
- In 2009, Grandmaster Robson Gracie Sr. (President of the Rio de Janeiro Jiu-Jitsu Federation) awarded him the 5th-degree black belt and the title of “Professor of Jiu-Jitsu.”
- Professor Franco has since earned his 7th dan (coral belt) and the title of Mestre under Grandmaster Joe Moreira (USFBJJ). Master Moreira holds a red belt under Grandmaster Francisco Mansur, a student of the very first generation of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie.
- Since 1986, Prof. Franco has written hundreds of articles on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ, mixed martial arts (MMA), and other martial arts, which have been published in various specialized journals around the world.
- Since 1996, Prof. Franco has released more than ten instructional videos on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Most of these instructional videos are available through Budo International.
- In 2020, the Vacirca Brothers “Online University” was founded for coaches, students, and anyone interested in the Gracie Concepts® GJJ training program.
- A year later (2021) , Prof. Franco published his first book, *Sons of Maeda: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Unlocked*, which was released worldwide in three languages (German, English, and Spanish).
What we offer:
- Professor Franco’s modern approach to jiu-jitsu has led hundreds of police officers, special forces, and military units to learn Gracie Concepts® as “practical self-defense.”
- Prof. Franco’s international seminars, training camps, and specialized instructor certification courses (ICP), which have been held worldwide since 1995, are attended not only by professionals in the fields of BJJ, grappling, and MMA, but also by complete beginners who want to experience him live on the tatami.
- Bullying is an issue in every school, no matter which country Prof. Franco is visiting. That is why he is increasingly conducting workshops at public schools.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as taught by Prof. Franco under the Gracie Concepts® brand, consists of 54 consecutive lessons taught in a rotating curriculum. This unique teaching method, developed by the Vacirca Brothers, helps participants build a solid foundation and progress all the way to the black belt and beyond.
- It is also possible to become a certified Gracie Concepts® instructor and black belt. However, a black belt does not automatically qualify as an instructor. To be recognized as a Gracie Concepts® partner school, you must complete the ICP course, which consists of a 54-class program.
- By paying an annual student license fee, everyone supports our network. In return, everyone receives free access to the Gracie Concepts® Online University – learn more here >>.
- Partner schools, teams, and garages do not pay for any additional licenses or fees, apart from the student licenses mentioned above. All gradations and certificates are included in the student membership license.
