Richard Bresler was the very first American student of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, starting lessons with Rorion Gracie in 1979. They shared a house in Hermosa Beach, establishing the first 'Gracie Garage.' Bresler provided the loan that enabled the creation of the formal Gracie Academy and was an investor in UFC 1 (1993). He earned his black belt in 1998. In February 2025, while hospitalized with cirrhosis, Ryron and Rener Gracie promoted him to coral belt — the fourth American to receive this honor. He passed away on July 3, 2025. His memoir 'Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life' chronicles his 40+ years with the Gracie family.