About Us
About Us
More than a sport — as a path to growth, connection, and empowerment.
At Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Richmond, we believe that Jiu-Jitsu is more than just techniques and competitions — it’s a powerful tool for personal transformation, discipline, and building community. Under the leadership of Professor Igor Estrella, a 3rd-degree black belt born in the heart of Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, we provide a welcoming, safe, and respectful space for practitioners of all ages and experience levels.
Professor Igor brings decades of experience and a genuine passion for sharing the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu with others. Known for his attentive and adaptable teaching style, he tailors each class to meet the unique needs and goals of every student — whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your fitness or a dedicated competitor seeking to sharpen your skills. With students ranging from 5 to 70 years old, our academy embraces diversity in backgrounds, bodies, and motivations, creating a true family on and off the mat.
Beyond teaching self-defense and combat skills, we are committed to cultivating core values such as respect, ethics, discipline, and courage. Every class is an opportunity to strengthen the body, mind, and spirit while building lasting friendships and a sense of belonging.
Our dedication to quality and care is reflected in the words of our students, who consistently praise the positive environment, Professor Igor’s professionalism, and the life-changing impact Jiu-Jitsu has had on their lives.
Leadership
Our Instructor
Igor Estrella
Head Instructor
Professor Igor Estrella, a 3rd-degree black belt under the legendary Master Ralph Gracie, was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has dedicated his life to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Inspired by his father’s example of health and fitness, Igor grew up with a passion for physical activity, hiking iconic Rio landmarks like Pedra da Gávea and Christ the Redeemer.
At just 13 years old, Igor discovered Jiu-Jitsu and quickly fell in love with the art, beginning his journey at Gracie Nova Iguaçu Academy under Master André “Negão” Lemos. Over the years, he advanced from white to black belt under the guidance of some of the Gracie family’s most respected masters, including Royler and Rolker Gracie.
Igor’s career is marked by numerous championship titles, including multiple state championships in Rio de Janeiro, victories at international IBJJF competitions, and champion performances at Fight2Win, NAGA, and Abu Dhabi Pro trials. Notably, he was selected by Masters Rickson, Royler, Rolker Gracie, and André Lemos to represent the Gracie Academy in the Fight Quest TV series on Discovery Channel, winning his super fight in Rio de Janeiro.
With over 22 years of experience and 14 years teaching, Igor has dedicated his life to sharing Jiu-Jitsu as a tool for empowerment, discipline, and health. Now based in Richmond, California, he leads Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Richmond, where he inspires students of all ages to grow both on and off the mat, continuing the Gracie family legacy with excellence and integrity.
FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No experience is necessary! Our classes are designed for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. Our instructors will guide you step-by-step and make sure you feel comfortable and supported from your very first class.
Please visit our website and choose the option you want. It will be a pleasure to help you achieve your goal.
We offer private lessions with the presence of parents for children from 4 years old.
Kids class for 5-8 yo.
Monday through Saturday;
M-W-F = 4:15 pm
T - T = 5 pm
Saturday = 9 am
Juniors Class for 9 - 13 yo.
Monday through Friday = 5 pm
Saturday = 9 am
This depends a lot on the student's dedication and consistency.
This doesn't necessarily have to do with just "training hard" and trying to prove something.
No! This has more to do with the techniques the white belt needs to know to advance to the next level and with the completed Beginner Module.
Following the rules of our teaching methodology and our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Lineage, the average student takes 14 months to 20 months to earn the blue belt.
The fundamentals that the student learns are evaluated daily to complete this module.
In your first introductory class we provide our uniform for you to wear to your first class.
Yes, we have Gi and NOGI uniform in WHITE, BLUE AND BLACK. For your first trial class, we offer a clean GI available for your practice.
With the Unlimited plan you can come as many times as you want to take classes at your level.
We also offer 2 times a week plan. ( 8 per month )
Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art based on leverage, allowing a weaker and lighter practitioner to overcome a stronger and heavier opponent. For this reason, it is recommended for everyone, regardless of physical condition, age, or size.
If you don’t have a gi (uniform), no problem! We recommend wearing comfortable workout clothes like a t-shirt and athletic shorts or leggings. We also offer loaner gis for trial classes. Once you decide to join, we can assist you with purchasing your own gi.
The class starts with a warm-up that also serves as physical conditioning, varying each day between stretching, strength conditioning, explosion, specific moves for Jiu-Jitsu, natural gymnastics...
If you have no experience, we recommend that you start classes with GI first.
If you have experience, the choice will depend on your personal goals and preferences. Some practitioners prefer to dedicate themselves to just one modality, while others like to train in both.
Both forms have their benefits and can help develop Jiu-Jitsu skills.
Absolutely! Jiu-Jitsu is a fantastic activity for kids and beginners alike. It teaches discipline, confidence, respect, and self-defense in a fun and safe environment. We have dedicated kids' classes tailored to different age groups.
We recommend training at least 2–3 times per week to see steady progress and improvement. However, every student’s journey is different, and even one class per week is a great start. Consistency is key!
Yes! We offer a free trial class for new students. This is a great opportunity to experience our academy, meet the instructors, and see if Jiu-Jitsu is the right fit for you. Contact us to schedule your trial.
Definitely. Jiu-Jitsu provides a full-body workout that improves strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular health. Many of our students have successfully achieved fitness and weight loss goals while learning valuable self-defense skills.
Signing up is easy! You can visit us at the academy, call us, or fill out the contact form on our website. We’ll walk you through the available membership options and help you get started on your Jiu-Jitsu journey.
