Richard is widely recognized as the first student of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the USA. For almost twenty years, he worked closely alongside Rorion Gracie, helping to grow Jiu-Jitsu through the Gracie Garages, the Gracie Academy, and the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
He was one of the first Americans to earn a teaching certificate through the original Instructor Certification Program at the Gracie Academy and one of the first Americans to earn a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He still teaches Jiu-Jitsu and is the author of an outstanding book, “Worth Defending,” tells the story of how BJJ got its roots in the USA.
