Carlson Gracie La Costa

We are proud to be part of the Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu family, doing our part to contribute to a rich and storied legacy in the art. Carlson Gracie was the son of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Founder Carlos Gracie and he became a top competitor in No Holds Barred/Vale Tudo matches during the 1950's and 1960's era. Carlson's son, Carlson Gracie Jr. is now the head of the team teaching out the Chicago HQ and making regular visits to teach on the West Coast.
To learn more about Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu, visit the HQ website here. 

​We also have a strong and close relationship with Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu West Coast operations in Temecula, visit their site here.

When you decide to train BJJ with us, you're opening up a whole network of relationships.​
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Training at Carlson Gracie Temecula with Professor Tom Cronin

Instructors

Laurence Griffiths - Founder/Owner - 2nd degree Black Belt (training since 2007)
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Receiving 2nd Degree from Carlson Gracie Jr., Jan 2022
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Receiving Black Belt from Roger Gracie, Dec 2015
After moving from the UK in 2016, Laurence started training under Professor Tom Cronin at Carlson Gracie Temecula, receiving his 1st degree from Master Carlson Gracie Jr. in 2018.

​Prior to that he trained under Roger Gracie Black Cesar Lima in London, receiving his Black Belt from Roger Gracie in Dec 2015.

He has been teaching BJJ for several years and has been an active competitor for over a decade.

Notable competition achievements:
  • IBJJF No-Gi worlds Silver Medalist, Pan Ams Bronze Medalist (Black Belt, Masters 1)
  • IBJJF Europeans Silver Medalist, British Nationals Gold (Brown Belt, Masters 1)
  • British Open, Gold Medalist (Brown Belt, Adult)

Other qualifications:
Andre Huebes - 4th degree Black Belt (training since 1997)
Andre received his Black Belt from Carlson Gracie Junior in 2007 and previous to this was a Tae Kwon Do Black Belt. Although after looking for martial arts that would be more effective in a confrontation in the street, Andre started training BJJ and Muay Thai.

Andre has competed in MMA, Muay Thai and BJJ, including time training Muay Thai in Thailand.

He has been in the US Army for 12 years and is a Staff Sergeant, serving in the Military Police (31B).

Andre was sworn in as a law enforcement deputy for the San Diego Sheriff Department in 2022 and is currently assigned to the Vista Detention Facility.
Dave Thomas - 3rd degree Black Belt (training since 1995)
Dave received is a Black Belt under under Carlos Gracie Jr. Black Belt Travis Tooke and joined the Carlson Gracie Team when he moved to Seattle and started training under Marcelo Alonso in 2017, before moving to Carlsbad in 2022 and becoming part of Carlson Gracie La Costa.

  • Founded and ran Austin Jiu Jitsu for 15 years from 2003.
  • Extensive competition experience (including Brown and Black belt NAGA titles).
  • Certified USA Wrestling Coach for competitive youth wrestling programs (3 seasons
  • Diverse martial arts training background including MMA, Thai Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Karate, Aikido, and Judo
  • Ground fighting trainer for law enforcement, EMT, and military personnel

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or BJJ, is a martial art where a smaller weaker opponent, can use leverage and technique to gain control over and make submit, a larger stronger opponent. BJJ is unique in that it heavily focuses on ground fighting, which is where most fights in the real world end up. Its like a mix of Judo and Collegiate Wrestling.

Its origins come from Japanese martial artist Mitsuyo Maeda teaching Judo to Carlos Gracie and it being adapted by younger brother Hélio Gracie in the early 20th Century. Although the art rose to prominence in 1993 when Hélio Gracie’s son, Royce, shocked the world in UFC 1 by submitting several much larger and stronger opponents using BJJ. (Watch UFC 1 highlights here)

Carslon Gracie