Mid Coast BJJ

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Mid Coast BJJ Galan Rackliffe
Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
15 years experience in Jiu Jitsu
Certified Yoga Instructor

11/01/2026

Jiu-jitsu has changed tremendously over the years, and social media has played a major role in that evolution.

Today, we see incredible athletes, new techniques, and high-level competitions reaching millions of people around the world. That’s something worth celebrating.

But I also wonder if we’re losing sight of some of the principles that helped make Brazilian jiu-jitsu what it is today.

HĂ©lio Gracie emphasized efficiency, leverage, and the ability to defend yourself against someone bigger and stronger.

Now, with so much attention on highlight reels, viral submissions, and competition results, how much emphasis are we still placing on those fundamentals?

Don’t get me wrong. I love the evolution of jiu-jitsu. The technical level today is incredible, and social media has helped introduce our art to people who might never have discovered it otherwise.

But evolution shouldn’t mean forgetting our roots.

We can embrace modern jiu-jitsu while still respecting the principles that shaped it.

What do you think? Is social media helping jiu-jitsu evolve, or are we slowly losing something important along the way?

Study your art. In this video there are a lot of details. I’m fairly confident those who spend time with me know I’m a h...
09/18/2026

Study your art.

In this video there are a lot of details.

I’m fairly confident those who spend time with me know I’m a huge fan of a hip escape frame as well as technical mount.

Watch The video look at the application of the hip escape frame and how strong it is.

But also pay very close attention to the self defense applications presented here.

This video has a lot of useful information and application.

Just make a mental note with respect to the concept behind this..

Details are important, positioning is important !

Watch it twice Really think about it.

Classic Jui Jitsu explained so well!

In this private lesson, Sifu Alan Baker sits down with longtime ins...

https://www.facebook.com/share/1K6Sc9udXU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
09/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1K6Sc9udXU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

THE DAY JOE MOREIRA FACED RICKSON GRACIE TWICE ON THE VERY SAME DAY!

In the golden age of the BJJ, few dared to step onto the mat against Rickson Gracie. But at a legendary tournament (Copa Company), Joe Moreira not only accepted the challenge, but faced the legend twice on the exact same day!

While other athletes backed out or refused to step onto the competition area, Joe stepped up in both the weight class final and the open weight final.

Check out below the behind-the-scenes story and what it felt like to face the biggest name in Jiu-Jitsu at the peak of his power! 👇

THE PRESSURE AT THE WEIGH-IN AND HÉLIO GRACIE'S "WARNING"

The tension began the day before, during the weigh-ins. The atmosphere was pure war, with the crowd heavily backing Rickson.

That was when Master HĂ©lio Gracie approached Joe to pass along a direct message:

"Master HĂ©lio Gracie came to talk to me, gave me those pats of his with his long hand, and said: 'Damn, I really admire you, and you're going to fight the best fighter in the world.'", said Moreira to PVT channel.

ON THE MAT: "IT FELT LIKE HE WAS FLOATING"

In the first fight, in the weight division, Joe Moreira tried to impose his stand-up game, but quickly felt the superior level of Rickson's Jiu-Jitsu:

"What impressed me about his mount was that I couldn't feel any weight on top of me. It felt like nobody was mounted on me... I would bridge and do hip escapes, and he was just following me, just floating along with me."

After the first clash in their weight class, both met again in the absolute final, where Rickson won once more via submission.

THE MASTER'S RESPECT

Despite the two losses, Joe's attitude and courage in not dodging the battle were praised by Rickson Gracie himself, who criticized the competitors who ducked him:

"Afterward he came to talk to me, thanking me for stepping onto the mat. He gave an interview talking about the people who didn't step up, who fought me but didn't fight him... For me, it wasn't a loss, because I learned a lot."

AND YOU, BLACK BELT OR JIU-JITSU ENTHUSIAST?
Would you have had the courage to step onto the mat to face Rickson at his peak? Leave your comment below, share this with your training partners, and turn on page notifications!

Coach isn’t a fan of late Arrivals
07/04/2026

Coach isn’t a fan of late Arrivals

At 6pm est it was 93 degrees! I thought no one would attend class tonight! I was wrong, my friends and training partner...
07/03/2026

At 6pm est it was 93 degrees! I thought no one would attend class tonight!

I was wrong, my friends and training partners showed up!

I did not even wear a gi top!
We trained and it was Awsome.

It’s 9:30 pm I’m just finishing up my dinner!

Thug life man ! It’s a good thing….

Train be happy work hard . That’s all I got for today !

Thank you all for showing up….

06/28/2026

Following the seminar, we will have belt promotions/stripes then dinner at Las Palapas in Brewer.

06/26/2026

Address

Airport Road
Belfast, ME
04915

Opening Hours

Tuesday 6pm - 8pm
Thursday 6pm - 8pm

Telephone

+12079305587

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