The art of Jiu‑Jitsu, refined.

Top tier teaching & mats. Ralek’s is a great coach and person, he makes a point to make everyone feel welcome and included. Couldn’t recommend this gym more.

If you want the real thing, authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu straight from the source, AG1925 in Franklin is it. I was driving through and made it a point to stop in, and it turned out to be one of the best stops of the whole trip.

This is what I call complete Jiu-Jitsu. Owned and operated by Ralek Gracie, the academy teaches both Gi and NoGi in just about every class, and it’s the student’s choice. You’ll learn sport BJJ, but you’ll also learn real self-defense, the kind of Jiu-Jitsu that actually works on the street in a real fight. That balance is rare, and it’s exactly what the Gracie family has always stood for.

I’ve known Ralek personally for nearly 30 years and have trained with the Gracie family directly that whole time, so I don’t say this lightly. Ralek is an incredible teacher and a genuinely brilliant human, and it comes through in every detail. What makes Jiu-Jitsu good or bad comes down to culture and the details, and this academy nails both. The instruction is on another level, the school is spotless and welcoming, and the people are fantastic.

Compared to other schools in the area, there really is no comparison. If you’re anywhere near Franklin, this is the place to train, and it’s well worth the drive even if you’re coming from Nashville. It’s a great fit for everyone too, men, women, kids, and adults alike, whether you’re stepping on the mats for the first time or you’ve been rolling for years.

Huge respect to Ralek and the entire AG1925 family. I’ll be back anytime I’m in the area.

I recently had the opportunity to visit AG 1925 Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Franklin, Tennessee, and I was thoroughly impressed. The academy features a beautiful, modern facility that is exceptionally clean, professionally designed, and provides an outstanding environment for learning and training.

What truly sets AG 1925 apart, however, is the caliber of leadership and instruction. Owner Ralek Gracie carries on the legendary Gracie family legacy with authenticity, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to preserving and sharing the principles of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. His decades of experience, combined with his contributions to the growth of Jiu-Jitsu worldwide, are evident in every aspect of the academy.

Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, AG 1925 provides world-class instruction in a welcoming atmosphere. Franklin is fortunate to have such an exceptional academy, and anyone seeking authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu would be hard-pressed to find a better place to train. Highly recommended!

I just started training 2 weeks ago, along with my husband and my two daughters. I LOVE it. The other students have been super welcoming and I look forward to going every single day when I have class. Professor Ralek Gracie is the most professional yet humble Instructor I’ve ever had, and I’ve been training in Mixed Martial Arts since I was 15. Now that I’m learning jiu-jitsu I am seeing that this is an entirely different level of self-defense, and the knowledge is incredible. I can’t believe my family has the privilege to train here!

This is a Great environment for our young boys to learn self defense, for me to learn self defense. Not just physically but also mentally amazing for the whole family. Very excited for our boys to learn martial arts..

If you’re looking for something real, it’s here.. realistic self defense. We shopped around to different gyms. This is the safest place for my two sons and wife to learn real jujitsu and self defense. Not only is the instructor truly knowledgeable in the multi martial arts but he provides a clean relaxing environment.. I am excited to watch my family learn and grow…

I had the opportunity to train at AG 1925 while visiting from out of state, and it exceeded every expectation.

I was introduced to the gym through friends who know the owner and speak very highly of him. After spending a day there, I completely understand why. From the moment I walked in, I felt genuinely welcomed — not like a drop-in, but like part of the community.

What stood out most is that this isn’t just a “gym.” It feels more like a school. The noon class I attended was low pressure, structured, and intentional. They focused on fundamentals, but in a way that encouraged playful curiosity and real understanding rather than ego or intensity. Less was more — and that approach created deeper connection and better learning.

The environment was safe, healthy, and incredibly respectful. Everyone trained with control and awareness. The session flowed naturally into light, controlled sparring at the end, and it was clear that safety and development come first.

The facility was spotless, the culture was strong, and the level of mutual respect among members was obvious.

If you’re looking for a place that values fundamentals, growth, and community over hype and pressure, AG 1925 is exceptional. I would absolutely train here again anytime I’m back in town.

Fantastic place to train BJJ in the Nashville/Franklin area. Whether you are just getting started or far along on your journey, AG1925 is a great environment to learn. Ralek Gracie is one of the best — he’s thoughtful in his teaching and makes it understandable and applicable to real-life. Highly recommended.

Ralek has been an amazing teacher. Having no prior experience in martial arts and stepping into his classes, I have been absolutely amazed at his ability to teach jiu jitsu at such a high level and also make it digestible for those like myself with little to no experience. I would highly advise those looking to get into jiu jitsu or advance their training to go see Ralek. You will not be disappointed.

A once-in-a-lifetime teacher. A once-in-a-lifetime human.

I met Ralek years ago in Torrance, when he was still a young man—but even back then, there was something undeniable about him. He wasn’t just practicing jiu-jitsu—he was living it. Breathing it. Dissecting it like a philosopher with a microscope. The rest of us were just trying to keep up.

Ralek was never chasing attention or accolades. He was chasing truth—jiu-jitsu in its purest, most atomic form. And if you loved it too, even a fraction as much as he did, he’d pour himself into teaching you with everything he had. He never held back. He taught until your muscles gave out. He answered every question. He never made you feel small for not knowing. In fact, he made you feel like you belonged.

He’s the kind of teacher you never forget. I’ve coached basketball internationally. I’ve managed world-class tennis centers. I’ve been around elite athletes and entertainers my entire career. But in Ralek, I found the rarest combination: genius and gentleness. Precision and patience.

When I trained with him, I was never injured. Not once. He moved me like I was an uncooked egg in his hands—strong but careful, always aware. And more than anything, I felt that he cared. His words, his actions, his time—he gave them all freely.

That kind of presence is rare. That kind of teacher is sacred. And twenty years later, I’m still grateful to have met him.

Ralek is a magnet for the real ones—the innovators, the nerds, the artists, the warriors, the lovers of this gentle art. If you’re lucky enough to train under him, don’t take it lightly. People search their whole lives for a teacher like this.

I thank God for crossing our paths.
I pray for your continued success, Ralek.
May your family be protected and blessed.
And Happy Father’s Day, sir. You deserve the world.

Ralek Gracie is one of the best Martial Arts teachers living now. Whether your goal is street self defense, gi jiu jitsu, no gi jiu jitsu, or mma, it would be quite difficult to find a better place to train. Do yourself a favor, take a class and see for yourself.

In less than a year, Ralek took me from being dead in the water to being very comfortable on the mat, especially when faced with the unexpected. His less is more, intuitive style is timely in a game that’s overly saturated with information. Highly recommend!!