Before Jiu-Jitsu became a sport, it was a martial art based on the principals of respect, hierarchy, discipline, self-control, self-confidence, patience and many others. The objective is rendering the opponent into submission.
Rilion fought competitively for 15 years in both Jiu Jitsu and free style matches. In his competitive career as a Black Belt he was never submitted, neither in competition nor in sparring sessions.
He is recognized in the Jiu Jitsu world for his mastery of the art and has become known for being “100% technical”.’
In the early 1980’s besides teaching at the Gracie Ipanema academy, he was a founding member of the Gracie JJ School in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, along with his older brothers Crolin and Carlos Jr. In 1988, he was one of the instructors at the first Gracie Jiu Jitsu Seminar in the United States hosted by the actor and Martial Arts enthusiast Chuck Norris.
