Our Instructors

Roger Gracie

Founder and Head of Roger Gracie jiu jitsu

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Roger is the son of Mauricio Gomes and Relia Gracie, daughter of Carlos Gracie and founder (along with his brother Helio) of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Roger currently resides in London, England, with his family.

Roger is widely considered as the greatest Jiu Jitsu fighter of all time. Unlike any before him, he succeeded in simultaneously winning championships in the gi (kimono), no-gi, and MMA (mixed martial arts) competitions.

In the gi, Roger is a 10x IBJJF World Champion, Pan, and European champion at the black belt level. He was also a IBJJF World Champion at all the lower belts (blue, purple, and brown). In no-gi, Roger is 2X ADCC and ADCC super fight champion. Roger was also a professional MMA fighter for the UFC and was the inaugural ONE Light Heavyweight Champion. In 2017, he briefly stepped out of retirement to fight the then raining multiple IBJJF World Champion, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, at the Gracie Pro championship in Rio de Janeiro and submitted him with a choke.

Roger was inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame in 2023 and was the first-ever inductee into the ADCC Hall of Fame in 2001.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Roger Gracie

Ed Gómez

Head Instructor

Ed is the Founder and Head Instructor of Roger Gracie jiu jitsu Bethlehem. After moving to London England in 2014, Ed began his Jiu Jitsu journey with Roger. A fan of mixed martial arts, he was always impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of Jiu Jitsu.

Ed received all of his belts (blue, purple, and brown) from Roger and in 2026 was awarded his black belt from him. In 2016, Ed also had the honor of receiving Roger’s most dedicated male student award. Ed is only 1 of 4 individuals living in the U.S. to have a black belt under Roger.

Over the years, Ed has competed in several major Jiu Jitsu championships sponsored by the IBJJF, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, and the British Open. In 2017, he also founded the King’s College London Jiu Jitsu club and has taught Jiu Jitsu at other academies.

A Virginia native, Ed is a tenured Full Professor at Lehigh University and holds a PhD from Brown University, a MA from the University of Chicago, and a BA from the University of Virginia. He is also a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Ed has extensive teaching, mentoring, and leadership experience.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Roger Gracie > Ed Gómez