For Daniel Gracie, fighting is not only a way of life, it is life.
Daniel is a proud member of the Gracie family, a family whose name is synonymous with excellence, drive, ambition, competition and success.
In Brazil, Daniel trained under Carlinhos Gracie and received his Black Belt at the age of twenty-three. Daniel began competing in various city and state Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in 1982. Beginning in 1994, Daniel competed in the Brazilian Nationals, winning them five times and in the Mundials, winning them twice. His submission grappling career includes two events in 2003 and in 2005, placing 1st and 3rd respectively.
In Japan, the Gracie family were regular competitors in the PRIDE events. Beginning in 2002, Daniel fought in four PRIDE events as a Heavyweight, winning three times. Facing Takashi Sugiura, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Wataru Sakata – Daniel fought against some of Japan’s top competitors, each time in an arena with well over 60,000 fans.
In Europe, Daniel has fought in the inaugural IFC Israel Fighting Championship in Tel Aviv, Israel.
In the United States, Daniel has fought once in The Gracie Fight Championship, an event designed by Relson Gracie, and twice in the International Fight League as a Pitbull. He also competed in the premier Light Heavyweight tournament of Bellator.
