As a matter of fact, there is no bending... every Relson Gracie Black belt has been earned by his students through many years of dedication, sacrifice and repetition of perfect technique of ALL of the aspects of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Relson teaches in this manner because that is how Grand Master Helio Gracie taught him. As a result, all of Relson’s Black belts understand and are able to share the perfection of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu the way Grand Master Helio intended. They share more than just technique, but a way of living.  Relson takes great pride in the QUALITY and not quantity of his Black belts. He looks at his students as members of his family and has a loyal following, but there are no short cuts.  His Black belts have worked hard and earn every promotion. Relson does not encourage or entice students from other instructors with the promise of a belt, in fact he discourages this behavior and takes pride in building his Black belts from their first steps on the mats as white belts.  We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts who made numerous of sacrifices to accomplish this coveted achievement.

List of official Black belts awarded by Relson Gracie for verification by others.

Red-Black belts

Fabio Santos - 12/22/07
Pedro Sauer - 11/14/08
Jose Moraes Correa Neto
Manoel Luiz Tavares
Rodrigo de Vieira de Miranda
Rolker Gracie
Pedro Valente

Black belts

1. Steve Maxwell - 2001 (No longer associated with Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu)
2. Scott Devine - 3/2003 (started '88 & School opened in '95)
3. Andre Derizans - 3/2003
4. Jeff Hudson - 3/2003 (started '92)
5. Phil Migliarese - 3/2003
6. Sam Mahi - 4/14/04 (started '88 & School opened in '95)
7. Kofi Debrah 9/28/05 (started '88)
8. Rick Migliarese - 12/5/05 (started '95)
9. Robin Gieseler - 2006 (started '94)
10. Ronn Shiraki - 6/5/06
11. Kimo Kreis - 6/5/06
12. Phil Cardella - 6/5/06
13. Mike Onzuka - 4/4/07 (started '92 & School opened in '95)
14. Lionel Perez - 8/25/07
15. Garth Spendiff - 8/25/07
16. Nathan Zigler - 1/26/08 (started '94 & School opened in '99)
17. Vince Panzano - 2008 (started '92)
18. Toney Waldecker - 4/18/08
19. David Wilson - 7/24/08
20. Richard Giberson - 10/8/08
21. Shawn Chitwood - 11/14/08 (started '93 & School opened in '94)
22. Steve Hordinski - 1/17/09
23. Michael Casey - 1/24/09 (started '94 & School opened in '99)
24. Chris Onzuka - 2/11/09 (started '91 & School opened in '95)
25. Shane Agena - 2/11/09 (started '95)
26. Reyn Morimoto - 2/18/09 (started '92)
27. Jay Dennis - 3/14/09
28. Todd Tanaka - 7/22/09 (started '89)
29. Dan Schulz - 8/31/2010
30. Tony Zara - 2/19/2011
31. Matt Rigney - 2/19/2011
32. Patrick Madden - 6/13/2011
33. Rhalan Gracie - 6/22/12
34. Kaleo Hosaka - 6/22/12
35. Jeff Furata - 6/22/11
36 . Kaleo Auwae - 6/22/12
37.  Josh Lauber - 6/22/11
38. Gye Nitta - 6/22/11
39. Mark Kurano - 6/22/11
40. Dan Wallen - 7/13/11
41. Jim Hannan - 7/13/11
42. Tom Feister - 7/29/11
43. Stuart Ramos - 11/2/11 (started '91)
44. Craig Chitwood - 01/20/12
45. Shane Briggs - 01/25/12
46. Doug Moore - 01/28/12 Gracie Arizona
47. Jason Spalleck - 03/13/12
48. Wahsei Miran - 03/17/12
48. Dave Patton - 03/12
49. John Michael Quesinberry - 03/26/12
50. Kayle Quinn - 05/30/12
51. Makena White - jun 6,2012
52. Steven Abood - aug, 2012
52. Jeff Starr 
53. Paul Kalaiwaa - Relson Gracie Waterfront Honolulu Hi