The coaches
World class. Down to earth.
A 3rd degree black belt runs the mat day to day, under the name of the Gracie who taught him. Here is who you will be training with, and where their jiu-jitsu comes from.
Head coach
Ariel "Tarzan" Sexton
3rd degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
- 25+ yearsof experience
- 700+ studentsled as Head Coach, Renzo Gracie Brooklyn
- ONE Championshiplightweight division veteran
- Multiple-timeCosta Rican jiu-jitsu champion
Ariel is originally from Vancouver, Canada. He found jiu-jitsu in Costa Rica, under Professor Mauro Sergio, and went on to become a multiple-time Costa Rican champion.
He moved to New York City to train under Daniel Gracie and the Renzo Gracie Team during the Blue Basement era. That is where he refined the pressure-based, submission-driven style he is known for.
Head Coach at Renzo Gracie Brooklyn
Leading over 700 students, Ariel:
- launched the women's program,
- developed the MMA curriculum,
- built out the kids' jiu-jitsu program.
He is also a professional mixed martial artist and a veteran of ONE Championship's lightweight division.
Now in Miami
His own academy in Kendall is a space for beginners, competitors and families to train hard, stay humble and grow together. The Costa Rica roots still run through it: Athletic Advance also runs Jiu-Jitsu in Paradise camps there.
"This is the first place i visit and train whenever im in Miami. Highly recommend prof Ariel classes"Javi Valenciano, Google review
The lineage
Teacher to student, to you.
Jiu-jitsu is passed hand to hand. This is the line that reaches the mat in Kendall.
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Carlos Gracie Jr.
Daniel Gracie's teacher in Rio de Janeiro.
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Daniel Gracie
Coral belt. Ariel's teacher in New York, in the Blue Basement years.
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Ariel Sexton
3rd degree black belt. Head coach in Miami.
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You
Your first class is free, and the gi is on us.
Ariel's very first teacher was Professor Mauro Sergio, in Costa Rica.
The name on the wall
Daniel Gracie
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coral belt
- 35+ yearsof experience
- IBJJF World Championabsolute division, as a brown belt
- Gracie familyborn in Rio de Janeiro
- Pro MMAPRIDE, IFL, Bellator, Israel FC
- 1972
Born June 28 in Rio de Janeiro, into the Gracie family. He grew up around Hélio, Rolls, Carlson and Carlos Gracie Jr., and trained under Carlos Gracie Jr.
- 1996
Black belt, shortly after winning the IBJJF World Championship absolute division as a brown belt. He also competed at the Brazilian Nationals.
- 2002
Begins his professional MMA career, fighting in PRIDE, the International Fight League, Bellator and Israel FC.
- Today
Teaches traditional Gracie self-defense and high-intensity competition training for adults and children, continuing his family's jiu-jitsu legacy.
In Kendall, the Daniel Gracie name and lineage are on the wall, and Ariel is the head coach on the mat day to day.
Come meet Ariel.
Your first week is free, every class is open to trial students, and we'll lend you a gi.