Brazilian Jiu Jitsu promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique – most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition or self defense. Sparring (commonly referred to as “rolling”) and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.

Gracie United is headed by Professor Rafael Ellwanger in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

My name is Rafael Ellwanger and I’d like to thank you for visiting my website. I’m glad you came, because I’m on a mission to help as many people as possible to experience the benefits of our programs.

Rafael Ellwanger
Black Belt 2nd degree