Our Club History.

The Carlson Gracie Club was founded by Carlson Gracie Sr, one of the most influential figures in the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Carlson Gracie, a member of the famous Gracie family, was pivotal in making jiu-jitsu was it is today. He split away from the original Gracie Academy in the 1960s to form his own school. The Carlson Gracie Team became famous for producing world-class BJJ fighters and Competitors. Over the years , the team gained global recognition for its competitive success, with affiliates spreading to countries worldwide, including the UK, under instructors like Head Coach for Carlson Gracie London Wilson Junior. Over the years Carlson Gracie London has become a hub for BJJ in the UK, producing numerous elite competitors who have succeeded at national and international levels. Both our head coaches stem from Carlson Gracie London and they each were given their Black Belts by the Head Coaches at London. River received his Black Belt from Dickie Martin, a multiple World Championship Winner and a lead coach for Carlson Gracie London. Robert Dillon received his Black Belt from Wilson Junior, the head coach and one of three founders of Carlson Gracie London. Carlson Gracie London was founded by Wilson Junior, Dickie Martin and Simon Hayes in 2001 in Hammersmith London. Now after both Robert and River have trained collectively under the tutelage of Carlson Gracie for 25+ years they together have begun their journey to follow in the footsteps of the strong legacy given to us by Carlson Gracie and his students.

River Dillon

Robert Dillon

Meet our own River Blue Dillon, a World Class BJJ athlete with awards spanning 10 years at all different belt rankings.

He made headlines early in his Jiu-jitsu career when he beat adult black belts as a juvenile blue belt in Rio back in 2014. Some highlights of his career would be 3x World Silver Medalist, European Champion and 10+ British Championships.

Now a veteran of the game River plans on making his way back into competition at the Black Belt level.

Robert Dillon had his journey of BJJ start at Carlson Gracie London, he accompanied his son River to his first Jiu-jitsu class. Being 49 years old at the time he was unsure if it was the right move to get started on the mats himself, but nonetheless jumped into the deep end and never looked back. Having accomplished his black belt and an IBJJF European & British Championship, he also coached and mentored River at every tournament possible and immersed himself in the whole game, becoming an outstanding coach and role model.