Rolls was the oldest son of Carlos Gracie Sr. and his third wife. He was raised and trained by Helio Gracie on Helio's large ranch just outside of Rio. Simply put, Rolls was the best of his generation. He was so good that his older brother Carlos Jr. became his student.
Rolls is sometimes referred to as the guru because of his phenomonal teaching. Rolls became an instructor at Helio's Rio academy when Rorion was the main instructor. Rolls ran the advanced class in the mid and late seventies and early eighties. His students included: Carlos Jr, Romero Jacare Cavelcanti, Pedro Sauer, Marcelo Bhering, Crolin Gracie, all five Machado brothers (when they were old enough, they all started their training under Helio), Fabio Santos, and his protege Rickson Gracie.
By the time Rickson was seventeen years old no one in the family or the academy could tap him out except Rolls. He became Rolls' assistant instructor and protege. In 1982 at the age of 32 Rolls Gracie died in a hangliding accident. Rickson, only 21 years old, took over his class.
Rolls Gracie only ever gave five blackbelts, among them Pedro Sauer, Jacare, and Marcelo Bhering. Though he died young, he is considered by the bjj world to be in a class only with Helio, Carlson and Rickson, as a fighter and teacher.
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