I started taking lessons at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA almost 20 years ago in January 1991.  This was 3 years before the first UFC, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was mostly unknown at that time here in the United States.  The UFC platform helped propel the Gracie family name and their style of martial art into mainstream America and the rest of the world.   A friend of mine, and long time martial artist of several disciplines, first told me about the Gracie’s, as he had already been taking lessons from them for a couple of months.  He couldn’t believe the effectiveness yet simplicity of the things these skinny mild mannered Brazilians were teaching him.  He said that what he had learned in those few months of practicing jiu-jitsu would be much more beneficial to him in a real street fight than the many years of his other martial arts experienced combined.  He encouraged me to come to class with him to check things out, and said the Gracie brothers were very nice and welcoming to everyone.  So, I did just that, I went to the Gracie Academy with my friend one evening and I immediately knew it was something I wanted to be involved in.  I was the Gracie Academies 197^th student.

Back then students started out with privates lessons.  The academy had 2 small rooms, and a larger room for bigger classes.   For the first 6 months or so all of my lessons were one on one with either Royler or Royce in one of the small private rooms.  They focused on teaching new students street self defense, including, the club, knife, and gun techniques, as well as fundamental ground techniques.  Eventually students were put into small semi-private classes of 2 – 3 other students.  I don’t remember classes being any bigger than that, at least not until after the first UFC and their popularity skyrocketed.  After my first year Royler moved back to Brazil, then most of my classes from then on were with Royce, and occasionally with Rorion or Rickson.  Eventually, Rickson started branching out on his own teaching classes at a couple other locations.  People always ask me if Rickson was incredible, and the answer is always yes.  There was also a Brown Belt named Craig Kukuk, who started teaching some classes at that time, who soon after became the first American to receive a Black Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.   And I’ll never forget a Black Belt named Fabio Santos who they brought in to teach at the academy too.  Fabio is one of the nicest guys you could meet, and yet looks like one mean dude, who also had some of the greatest fight stories.

The Gracie’s used to have challenge matches at the academy, where local martial artists of all types would call them up and challenge them to a no-rules match to see whose style is really the best.  The Gracie’s used to upset some in the martial arts community with their claims that they had the most realistic and effective style of martial art, so many lined up to try and disprove that.  I had the privilege of witnessing several of these fights, where Royce or Royler always emerged victorious, and it only deepened my desire to make jiu-jitsu a permanent part of my life.  Some of the fights I witnessed are on a video they produced called “Gracie in Action II”.  If you’ve ever seen it I’m one of the students standing up against the wall.  In one challenge match I witnessed, the challenger cried after being beat because he was so devastated and upset that his technique was not effective against Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. - Part II will be coming soon.  Professor Greg Eldred

On April 9, 2010 we held our first FREE Women's Self-Defense Class open to the public.  We will continue to offer a FREE class once per month.

Our next FREE 1 1/2 hour Women's Self-Defense class will be held on Friday, May 7th from 9 - 10:30 am.  Women ages 16 and up are welcome to attend.  In this class you will learn to escape from an attacker in various situations using simple effective escape techniques.  No reservations are required.  Attire is comfortable work out clothing such as a T-shirt and sweat pants. 

To inquire contact Greg Eldred at 506-0973, or email at indianapolisbjj@aol.com.

Master Caique visited us on Feb. 28, 2010 for a 3 hour seminar.  We learned lots of great stuff, especially some good techniques from the bottom in the open guard.  Several students received promotions from Professor Greg Eldred and Master Caique in a ceremony following the seminar.  A big congrats to TEAM INDY's new PURPLE BELTS, Josh Womack, and Ahmad Ali.  See the complete list of promotions here on the Home page under PROMOTIONS.  Here's some PHOTOS from the seminar.

Team Indy had a great seminar on Oct 25th with Master Caique.  This was his first seminar in Indy as a Red/Black Belt that he received earlier this year from Master Rickson Gracie.  Everyone had a good time learning jiu-jitsu from one of the best.  Many students received well earned and deserved promotions during the seminar from Professor Greg Eldred and Master Caique.  Caique also visited his affiliate at the IU campus in Bloomington this weekend. We can't wait until his next trip to Indiana!  Here's some PHOTOS from the seminar.

Team Indy did a great job at the 4th Annual Michigan Open this past weekend.  We had 6 compete, and brought home 6 medals.  Congrats to our 1st Place winners:  Melissa Anderson, Kaleb Ferland, and Erik Sanford.  2nd Place winners: Brad Bishop and Andy Kelsay.  3rd Place winner: Jordan Flemming.

There were over 40 schools competing in this years event, with alot of great competition.  Visit our tournament website USABJJTOURNAMENTS for the 2009 Michigan Open results and photos.

Click link CAIQUE INTERVIEW to view a video interview with Master Caique at the Michigan Open. 

We just got back from LA after putting on the 2nd of our 3 tournaments this year with Caique.  The South Bay Open held in Southern California each year produced our largest turn out yet this past July 11th and 12th. We had 630 competitors for the 2 day event.  Three of our Indianapolis Jiu-Jitsu students made the trip to compete, and to help us run the event.  Josh Womack, Andy Kelsay, and Melissa Anderson all competed and had some good matches.  A big congratulations goes to Melissa Anderson who earned a Gold Medal in the Women's White Belt competition.  We are looking forward to the Michigan Open on September 26th!!!

The 6th Annual Hoosier Open held on June, 13th was a big success.  Thanks to all the competitors, instructors, spectators, and volunteers for supporting our event.  Photos are now available on the tournament website at this link: Hoosier Open Photos.  Results are now posted at www.usabjjtournaments.com.

We are very excited and happy for Professor Caique who received his Red/Black belt on March 9th from Master Rickson Gracie in Brazil.  This promotion is also sanctioned by the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro.  Caique was promoted to 7th degree, in which the traditional black belt is replaced with an alternating red/black belt.  The red/black belt is for 7th and 8th degree, then 9th degree would be promoted to red belt.  Caique is one of 3 or 4 Red/Black belts in the United States.  It is a great honor to be his student and friend.

Everyone had a great time learning from one of the best while Caique was here in Indianapolis on March 1st.  We had 30 people attend the seminar, and Caique was excited to see everyone again.  We can't wait until next time! CLICK HERE for more seminar photos!

I am very happy and excited to announce that our schedule will be expanding beginning in March.  Adult day classes are being added, as well as Kids classes.  I've had many many requests and inquires over the years about when I'd be adding day classes for those who can't make evening classes, or when I'd be offering kids classes.

I'm glad that now I am able to provide the opportunity for many more people to learn the fabulous martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  I've dedicated 18 years of my life to jiu-jitsu, which not many in the United States can claim.  Jiu-Jitsu has been a huge part of my life and my families, and I'm glad that I can now devote full time to my academy.

Please see our new Schedule for all class times.  Anyone is welcome to come check us out and take a free class and I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.

Greg Eldred
Black Belt/Owner - Indianapolis Jiu-Jitsu

Congratulations to all our Indianapolis BJJ and Fishers TKD BJJ students for placing at the Hoosier Open on Saturday, June 14th:

Gold Medal Winners
Evan Eldred
Luke Sartino
Matt Paronish
Matt Burosh
Savannah Young
Erik DeWhitt
Samantha Cameron
Kasi Young
Jason Kesler

Silver Medal Winners
Bryan Goossen
Erik Sanford
David George
Jordy Long
Ellie Anatrella
Josh Hagan
Kim Jackson
Bryan Cook
Jason Blocksom

Bronze Medal Winners
Dillon Eldred
Carson Eldred
Hailey McAllister
Lucas Yeazel
Kaleb Ferland
Ahmad Ali

The 2nd Annual Mighican Open Tournament was held on Dec 1, 2007.  This was our 3rd tournament we helped put on this year in partnership with Team Caique.  Harvy Berman, Caique's Black Belt from the Warrior Way Academy in Walled Lake, MI hosted this event.  Great job Harvy and to the rest of your staff! 

We had about 180 competitors, and the event ran without a hitch.  We had a few students compete from Indy: Roman Singh, Jason Kesler, Lucas Yeazel, Dillon Eldred, Evan Eldred, and Carson Eldred.

Congratulations to our medal winners:

Jason Kesler: 1st place
Dillon Eldred: 1st place
Evan Eldred: 1st place
Carson Eldred: 4th place
 

We brought home a lot of medals from the EGO (Extreme Grappling Open) on Oct 20th.  Great job to all of our Indianapolis Jiu-Jitsu competitors, Steve Kuklish, Roman Singh, Jason Hall, Blake Guingrich, Luke Sartino, and Matt Paronish.

Here are our medal winners:

Steve Kuklish:  Received 2 Gold Medals, one in the White Belt Adult Gi divison and the other in the Masters Gi.  He won all of his 8 matches for the day and 7 of them were by submission.  Very impressive, and great job Steve!

Jason Hall:  Received a Gold medal in the Adult Purple Belt Gi division.

Blake Guingrich:  Received a Silver medal in the Blue Belt Adult Gi division, and a Gold medal in the No Gi division.

Luke Sartino:  Received a Gold medal in his Kids Gi division, and a Silver Medal in the No Gi.

Matt Paronish:  Received 2 Gold medals, one in his Kids Gi division, and the other in the No Gi.