Our Vision & Legacy

The primary focus of Legacy BJJ is the development of students as individuals.  This is accomplished through the safe, professional and detailed instruction in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

  • The development of the mental and physical ability to deal with stressful situations.
  • The ability to be part of a community that is both individually and team focused.
  • The development of self-confidence by overcoming obstacles that may seem unachievable.
  • The development of self control as you mature in the programs offered.
  • The opportunity to learn how to deescalate possible violent situations.
  • The opportunity to learn how to defend yourself and others.

What is the black belt lineage at Legacy BJJ Omaha?

Count Koma Maeda—Helio Gracie—Rickson Gracie— Rodrigo Vaghi  –  Edward Shobe

Count Koma Maeda—Helio Gracie—Rickson Gracie— Rodrigo Vaghi  –  Matthew Lippold

Ed and Rickson Gracie

Matt and Rickson Gracie

Who is Rickson Gracie?

Rickson (pronounced Hickson), son of Helio Gracie, was born into Jiu-Jitsu. At six years old he began competing; at fifteen he started to teach the art; and at eighteen he received his Black Belt.

In 1980 at age twenty, 180-pound Rickson won his first professional Mixed Martial Art (Vale Tudo) victory against a 230-pound Brazilian brawler named Zulu. At that time, he had an undefeated fighting record with 140 victories! Rickson gained immediate national acclaim in Brazil as the top free-style fighter. Five years later Zulu requested a rematch and lost to Rickson again in Maracanazinho before an audience of 20,000 spectators.

In 1993, the Gracie Family introduced Mixed Martial Arts to the United States by creating the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Rickson helped coach his younger brother, Royce Gracie in preparation for this epic event. Royce showed how smaller and physically weaker individuals could win with superior technique. The Gracie family introduced reality-based fighting back into the martial art world, and were instrumental in creating what is now the fastest-growing sport, Mixed Martial Arts.

Rickson is a 9th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu whose technique is considered the finest expression of Jiu-Jitsu in the world.

  • His innate talent and early mastery of the art has resulted in an undefeated record in MMA, BJJ, and No Rules Challenge Matches in more than 400 fights!
  • He is a two-time Brazilian Champion in freestyle wrestling.
  • He is a Gold Medal Winner in Sambo.
  • He has been the middle-heavyweight and open-weight World Jiu-Jitsu Champion for two decades!

Rickson is a master-level instructor. For over 35 years he has demonstrated how to teach the most advanced principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a way that allows everyone, including first-time beginners, to succeed. His students have included:

  • world-champion MMA and BJJ competitors
  • master-level instructors from various martial art styles
  • FBI agents
  • SWAT teams
  • Navy SEALs
  • military personnel
  • athletes
  • and even actors.

In 2014 Rickson founded the JJGF, Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation to bring real-world martial art effectiveness back to Jiu-Jitsu training and competition! Unfortunately, nearly every Jiu-Jitsu school today only teaches Sport Jiu-Jitsu, losing the full applications of martial art training for life along with real fighting skills! Rickson discusses this problem during various interviews conducted when the Federation was launched.

Who is Rodrigo Vaghi?

Come Meet Us

Rodrigo Vaghi started his training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the “gentle art”, at age 14 in the original Gracie Academy Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vaghi’s instructors were none other than Grandmaster Helio Gracie (the creator of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and his sons: Rickson, Royce, Royler and Rolker.

After many years of training with the Gracie Family, Rodrigo has become a family friend and a representative of the Gracie family outside of Brazil. Rodrigo is currently a 6th-degree black belt under undisputed champion of the Gracie’s, Rickson Gracie. He is the highest-ranked black belt representative of Rickson Gracie outside of Brazil. Rodrigo was recently inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

As a competitor Rodrigo has won several Jiu-Jitsu championships. His most recent championship was the 2010 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Rodrigo not only won the black belt division in his weight class but the open division as well. While he still enjoys competing at the highest levels, he lives to pass down his knowledge and expertise to his students of BJJ and MMA alike.