Gracie Jiujitsu UK Stockport Academy Visit

Ryron, Rener, Ralek and Rorion Gracie would be proud of the Stockport affiliate to the Gracie academy.

I recently had the privilege to visit my man Rob Dixon's academy in nearby Stockport. I met Rob a few months back at a Mark Munoz- Jake Ellenberger- Ryron and Rener Gracie super seminar in Manchester. We had a quick chat then and exchanged information, with a promise to meet up. With my current course and training getting in the way, I couldn't fit in a visit to the old address which was in Marple so when their move to nearer Stockport coincided with my half term break from school, I made a point to visit them for a session and a roll.


Rob and his gang are a fantastic bunch. Very pleasant and courteous. The blue belts were very good and their jiujitsu was very crisp. The Gracie Combatives lesson centred around two techniques: closing the distance against a conservative opponent in the stand up phase and escaping the headlock on the ground. The level and methodology of instruction felt very familiar. Rob and his instructor partner Richard had recently graduated their teaching courses in California under the scrutiny of Rener,  Ryron and their father grandmaster Rorion Gracie and even at modest blue belts they were experts of the craft*.

Considering how young the Stockport academy is, which is directly affiliated to The Gracie Academy in Torrance, California, it is thriving. I attended a Sunday morning session, a quiet one I thought, but the mats were full of eager learners.


The academy was nothing short of lovely with a large (1500 sq feet) green mat, mirrors and large windows and very clean and bright changing rooms and shower. Not to mention, being upstairs from the legendary Master Sken's Academy of Muay Thai, meant they had an easily accessible location and lots of parking.

Rob tells me he's only moved the Friday and Sunday sessions to Stockport so far, mainly to accommodate the demand on these days. I wouldn't be surprised if he started having more days there as it's such a lovely place.

I look forward to visiting them again.

A full list of the jiujitsu programmes offered at the
Stockport Gracie Jiujitsu Academy

Me and Mr Rob Dixon Gracie Jiu-jitsu Stockport

*While still at the beginning of their jiujitsu journey, both are expert martial artist with years of practicing and teaching.
*This article was recently referenced in the Gracie Insider Newsletter. Liam Wandi, brown belt under professor Eddie Kone :)
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Liam "The Part Time Grappler" Wandi

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