Instructors
Learn Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Ponce, PR from highly experienced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors. Our technique and instruction has been built upon the shoulders of giants. This is our Renzo Gracie Lineage.
Our Head Instructor, Scott Christensen studied the Renzo Gracie system under Professor Max McGarr. Scott is a very experienced martial artist with 17 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) experience.
Scott's instructor Max learned the system from two of BJJ's living legends, Master Renzo Gracie and John Danaher, at the famous NYC Academy.
Scott Christensen
Scott is a Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt and lifelong student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Scott specializes in submission only grappling. He has international experience coaching, training, and competing in Gi and No-Gi competitions. He spent significant time training in the United States, Japan, and Puerto Rico. He began his studies of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2005.
Scott brings an energetic positive attitude. His patience with new students of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is second to none. His coaching career began in 2006 as an assistant instructor for the kids program in Virginia Beach, VA where he began his studies.
Coach Scott is a proven competitor and has earned podium finishes at the IBJJF Asian, American Nationals, and Pan Championships. He has experience at Fight to Win Pro, Submission Pro Tour, and here locally in Puerto Rico.
His wife Vanessa is a Ponce, Puerto Rico native and they have made Ponce their home after a 20-year career in the US Navy.
Coach Scott Christensen
Renzo Gracie Ponce | Head Instructor
Professor Max McGarr
Renzo Gracie Reno | Head Instructor
Max is responsible for sharing the Renzo Gracie and John Danaher systems with our head instructor.
Max is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt with over 16 years experience studying under Master Renzo Gracie and John Danaher at our NYC Renzo Gracie Academy.
He is a Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu technique library and one of the most technical and charismatic instructors you’ll ever meet.
Max is a 2-time Pan-American Champion and has coached athletes at the highest levels in every major competition setting including IBJJF Worlds and the ADCC Championships. He is the instructor for Damon Ramos, Reno, Nevada's first athlete to ever get invited to the ADCC World Championships, which is the biggest submission fighting event in all of No-Gi grappling.
He owns and operates Renzo Gracie Reno in Reno, NV.
Professor Max McGarr
Master Renzo Gracie
Master Renzo Gracie is a living legend in martial arts. He is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt from the famous Gracie family. From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he is the grandson of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie and son of BJJ Red Belt Robson Gracie. Renzo began his Jiu-Jitsu studies as an infant and received formal training under many of the legendary Gracie instructors, including Rolls Gracie.
Renzo has won numerous competitions, the most prestigious being the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) in which he is a 3x Champion.
Renzo has fought all over the world for organizations such as UFC and Pride Fighting Championships. He pioneered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States in the 1990’s when he founded the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, being one of the cornerstones of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America. Today RGA has over 70 active affiliates across the globe.
He has established himself as one of the most renowned BJJ instructors and mentors in the sport with his signature combination of charisma and intelligence. He has guided UFC champions such as Matt Serra and Frankie Edgar, Roger Gracie a 10x Jiu-Jitsu world champion, John Danaher the Jiu-Jitsu coach to UFC Champions Georges St-Pierre & Chris Weidman and ADCC Champion Gordon Ryan.
