Professor Carlos Rollyson

Jose Carlos de Souza Rollyson, who goes by the name Carlos Rollyson, was born in Teresópolis, Brazil, a small city 45 minutes outside of Rio de Janeiro. He has now found a new home in South Florida, where he has been teaching at his Hollywood gym since 2007.

Introduced to Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 7, Carlos began training basic self-defense at home with his father. At the age of 10, Carlos started his formal training with Grandmaster Carlson Gracie Sr., who had his first school in Teresópolis and later in Copacabana. In conjunction with his Jiu-Jitsu training, Carlos wanted to further expand his knowledge and skills by training Judo. At the age of 12, he began training with Takise Ueda, a 7th dan Master. Although training both Jiu-Jitsu and Judo at the same time was not easy, his determination and dedication paid off. In 1980, at the age of 18, Carlos achieved his Black Belt in Judo; 2 years later, he attained his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Carlson Gracie.

In Brazil, Carlos opened his first school at the age of 18, while he was still a purple belt, and since then, he has taught in schools throughout Brazil and South Florida. Since coming to the States, Carlos has taught in various schools, his skills have become widely recognized, not only by those attending his class but also by the DEA and FBI. Carlos has held seminars for DEA and FBI agents of Miami and local law enforcement agencies. He taught them skills and techniques that would later help them better protect themselves in the field.

Carlos has won numerous competitions in Brazil. In 1993 he was the Brazilian National Champion and State Champion (Rio de Janeiro). His most notable win came in 1994 at the Brazilian National Competition, where he defeated both Rolker Gracie and Eduardo Mano to win the Gold.

After the death of his Master, Carlson Gracie Sr., Carlos continued to remain active in the sport. But knowing that Jiu-Jitsu is continuously evolving, he no longer wanted to stay unaided and craved a unified team’s support. Not long after deciding to seek out his peers’ aid, Carlos began his relationship with Alliance Jiu-Jitsu, 12-time IBJJF World Team Champions. Being a part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s strongest team has renewed his passion for the sport; it has expanded his criteria and arsenal of attacks and defenses, all of which he passes on to his students.

Although many instructors use the phrase “Master,” it is not always a true statement; Master is more than just a name; the title is reserved for those who have had their black belt for 31 years, and with uninterrupted time put into the sport. After 44 years of training Jiu-Jitsu and 31 years as a Black Belt, the IBJJF, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s governing body, awarded Carlos with his 7th Degree Coral Belt (Red and Black Belt) from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation in 2012.

In 2020 Master Rollyson was awarded his 8th Degree Coral Belt (Red and White Belt) from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, joining a small but distinguished group. There is only 22 other 8th Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Masters worldwide. 

Master Rollyson has been blessed with the opportunity to open his own school here in Hollywood and would like to extend an invitation for you to come join our team. Experience for yourself the knowledge and skill that Carlos extends to all his Jiu-Jitsu students.