Member of the Gracie family of Brazil.He is the son of Jiu-Jitsu Grandmaster Reylson Gracie and grandson of the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie. Rodrigo began training Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 4 and was awarded the black belt at the age of 18 under his father. He then came to the United States to teach at his father's academy in California. A few years later, he went to New York City to train and work with his cousin Renzo Gracie.