When Daniel first set foot into the Gracie Copacabana Academy, at the age of seven, he was making the first step of a long journey. Rolls Gracie was the professor and was to be the teacher of many champions. Carlinhos Gracie would later assume the position of head instructor at Gracie Copacabana. After some time, he would then open the now world famous Gracie Barra Academy. Daniel, now ten, dedicated himself to learning under Carlinhos Gracie until earning his Black Belt at the age of twenty-three - except for a brief foray into modeling that would take him to Italy - Daniel and his cousins spent their time training at Gracie Barra. When the cousins weren't training in the academy, they could be found surfing the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and racing each other up the steep slopes of Pedra de Gavea (a famous mountain in Barra da Tijuca). The view from the top of Pedra da Gavea is like no other!
Throughout his 20's and into his early 30's, Daniel competed in many Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in Brasil. Daniel's career includes many championships - five time champion in the Brasilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championships, two time champion in the Mundials - with four second place and one third place finish. His career in submission grappling includes a first place finish in the Second Audicon Submission Championship in Sao Paulo and a third place in the Abu Dhabi World Submission Championship in California.
In 2002, Daniel's career in Mixed Martial Arts began. It was Renzo who would bring his cousins to Japan to fight in the world famous Pride Championships. Daniel fought in four Pride events, Demolition, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye, Bushido 1 and Shockwave. At that time, Pride was the best organization in the world. It was here that Daniel got his nickname, Daniel 'Ikeman' Gracie. Daniel is honored to have started his career with Pride.
Back in Brasil, Daniel moved from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo with his brother Russo and their cousin Ryan. It was in Vila Olympea, a neighborhood in Sao Paulo, where Daniel, Ryan and Russo opened their academy, Gracie Sao Paulo - today Ryan Gracie Academy. Russo, a Black Belt under Ryan, is currently teaching at Ryan Gracie Academy. Later, Daniel opened his academy, Daniel Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. His academy is located in Sao Caetano (a suburb of Sao Paulo) and has produced many Black Belts and currently has over 100 students.
Daniel's son, Renzo, lives and goes to school near Sao Paulo. Ryan's son, Rayron is living and going to school near Rio de Janeiro. Daniel will soon be teaching Renzo and Rayron the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu - the next generation looks to be the strongest yet!
Continuing his career in MMA in the United States, Daniel has fought three times in 2006, once in the Gracie Fight Championships against Wes Sims and twice in the International Fight League for the Pitbulls against Wes Sims and Allan Goes. With a win, a loss and a draw, Daniel is hungry to grow his record fighting MMA and representing the Gracie family.
