(a)Elias Ramirez III-Head Instructor

Professor Elias is a 2nd Degree Black Belt under Otavio Sousa. He started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on January 26, 2007 at Gracie Barra Headquarters in Lake Forest, CA. He was given his Blue, Purple and Brown Belts by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. He received his Black Belt and 1st degree from Professor Marcio Feitosa. His 2nd degreee was given by Professor’s Marcio Feitosa and Otavio Sousa in 2019. He has helped with the opening of Gracie Barra’s new Headquarters in Irvine, CA as well as helped in  the opening of Garden Grove, Cerritos, Honolulu twice, Anaheim Hills, Baldwin Park, Kapolei, and now here in Palm Desert. He moved to the Coachella Valley with his family on June 15, 2021 from Hawaii to open up the first Gracie Barra here locally. He has competed, placed top 3, and won many IBJJF, Abu Dhabi and other organized competitions in his career. Now his main focus is helping to contribute to the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu here in the Coachella Valley. He was able while in Hawaii to build the largest Jiu-Jitsu school on Oahu and looks forward to bringing that same energy and growth to the Coachella Valley!