Watch: BJ Penn Re-Visits Old School; Makes Peace with Ralph Gracie

Nov 02, 2015BJJEEBJJ News, Featured, Videos

BJ Penn visits his old BJJ academy, Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

The Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu school is where Penn began his Jiu-Jitsu career. After leaving Ralph Gracie, He went on to join Nova Uniao and to win the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, becoming the first non-Brazilian to do so.

Ralph Gracie never forgave BJ and called him a snake and a traitor.

BJ Penn got Ralph on the phone and talked to his old instructor for the first time in years.

I just got the opportunity to revisit and enter the @ralphgracie academy in mountain view California where it all started for me, I started training here at 17 years old with the one of the best instructors and most fearsome fighters of all time. Ralph left such an impression on me that I will always say he is not a only an awesome instructor who taught me so much but he is also one of the toughest people to ever walk the earth, he is the one who taught me to never fear anyone no matter how big or how good they are. When you see me entering the ufc for slot of my fights, it is me imitating what I saw Ralph do in his attitude and competitions! He is the kind of guy that no matter what shape he is in, if you decide to wrestle with him, you will have to go until someone gets tapped, because Ralph Gracie will never give up, no matter what! Thank you for the excellent techniques and amazing fighting mentality that you taught and passed on to me!! I am forever grateful !! #graciejiujitsu #ralphgracie #mountainviewCA A photo posted by @bjpenn on Sep 19, 2015 at 2:42pm PDT