Earlier this week we reported that Kurt Osiander has parted ways with his longtime gym – Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu In San Francisco. While Osiander’s wife explicitly said Osiander was fired on the Grappling Central Podcast Osiander himself opted for softer terminology and Ralph Gracie even clarified saying:

Over the past couple of days, I have heard a number of rumors about my gym in San Francisco and its former instructor, Kurt Osiander, and I feel the need to address this misinformation. First, I did not sell my gym to Gracie Barra. Ralph Gracie San Francisco is my gym and will forever be my gym. Second, I am saddened to say that, after nearly 25 years together, Kurt Osiander has chosen to leave Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Kurt was not fired nor pushed out. He made the decision to leave our team and start a new gym in the same neighborhood. I was made aware of his decision while I was out of the country for a seminar. After announcing his intention to me, I even offered to support him and invest in a new location just for him, but he refused. But I cannot live my life holding any grudges. Everything happens for a reason. Kurt has been instrumental in building up the Ralph Gracie San Francisco gym. I am very grateful for his contribution to our team. Ralph Gracie San Francisco will always be my family. Our team will continue to get bigger and stronger as I believe in the power of jiu-jitsu to transform lives and build better communities. My family and I have given our lives to building up the sport, and our work must continue. Ralph Gracie

A post shared by Ralph Gracie (@ralphgracie) on Jul 6, 2018 at 2:41pm PDT

One way or another the two have parted ways. Now the black belt who made it clear to Osiander he will have to change as gym has changed & announced plans to clean up the place for the franchise – Gracie Barra:

For more than 25 years, I’ve been a member of Gracie Barra. I’ve learned many lessons with my master Carlos Gracie Junior . One of the things I’ve learned is to be respectful and loyal. When I accepted the challenge to help Master Ralph at Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, I asked my Master Carlos Gracie Jr for his guidance and advise, he knew that not only this would be an opportunity of growth but also an opportunity to be closer to my son who now lives in San Francisco. The response of Master Carlos Gracie Jr almost brought me to tears when he gave me his blessing to embrace this new challenge, he who promoted me since I was an yellow belt up to 4° degree black belt , and encouraged me to come and be part of Ralph Gracie San Francisco. He made me remember that Master Ralph is his nephew son of his beloved older brother Robson and just like me Master Ralph is also a black belt under Master Carlos. Gracie Jiu Jitsu was born within the family of these both incredible leaders and for them family and loyalty are the most important things in this World!

Now my mission is to make the needed improvements and provide high quality classes with a policy of no drinks nor drugs, no cursing, nor swearing words .

The real Old school Jiu-Jitsu is the one Master Carlos Gracie Jr father and Master Ralph’s grandfather created ! One based in discipline, respect, the cultivation of clean health habits and equilibrium, to be strong, to say NO to bad things and to follow the traditional principles of this amazing art which has the ultimate goal to form better individuals, ready to serve and support our community and society, to promote in each student the willing to become the best version of themselves.

I’m glad to be part of this family, Master Ralph besides been a legend , just like his grandfather and continuing the legacy of his family is a honored man who believes in the power of Jiu-Jitsu, transforming lives and building better communities, I have no worries regarding my conduct at Ralph Gracie SF, I want be part of this school as a role model so my son and any kid that trains here can look up to me and to Master Ralph as their role models and heroes champions on the mats but 👇

For more than 25 years, I’ve been a member of Gracie Barra. I’ve learned many lessons with my master Carlos Gracie Junior . One of the things I’ve learned is to be respectful and loyal. When I accepted the challenge to help Master Ralph at Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, I asked my Master Carlos Gracie Jr for his guidance and advise, he knew that not only this would be an opportunity of growth but also an opportunity to be closer to my son who now lives in San Francisco. The response of Master Carlos Gracie Jr almost brought me to tears when he gave me his blessing to embrace this new challenge, he who promoted me since I was an yellow belt up to 4° degree black belt , and encouraged me to come and be part of Ralph Gracie San Francisco. He made me remember that Master Ralph is his nephew son of his beloved older brother Robson and just like me Master Ralph is also a black belt under Master Carlos. Gracie Jiu Jitsu was born within the family of these both incredible leaders and for them family and loyalty are the most important things in this World! Now my mission is to make the needed improvements and provide high quality classes with a policy of no drinks nor drugs, no cursing, nor swearing words . The real Old school Jiu-Jitsu is the one Master Carlos Gracie Jr father and Master Ralph’s grandfather created ! One based in discipline, respect, the cultivation of clean health habits and equilibrium, to be strong, to say NO to bad things and to follow the traditional principles of this amazing art which has the ultimate goal to form better individuals, ready to serve and support our community and society, to promote in each student the willing to become the best version of themselves. I’m glad to be part of this family, Master Ralph besides been a legend , just like his grandfather and continuing the legacy of his family is a honored man who believes in the power of Jiu-Jitsu, transforming lives and building better communities, I have no worries regarding my conduct at Ralph Gracie SF, I want be part of this school as a role model so my son and any kid that trains here can look up to me and to Master Ralph as their role models and heroes champions on the mats but 👇

A post shared by Joao filipe jerry Oliveira (@filipejerry) on Jul 7, 2018 at 9:18am PDT

The outspoken Kurt Osiander is one of the most well-known instructors in the world and certainly has a tough old school BJJ game. Kurt recently released his first instructional series for BJJ Fanatics entitled Fundamentals of a Jiu Jitsu Renegade where he teaches his no BS and hard nosed approach to BJJ. Now grab yourself a copy of Fundamentals of a Jiu Jitsu Renegade and be sure to add code ‘BJJEE’ to get 10% off!