Neiman Gracie

Neiman Gracie is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. A two-time Pan-American champion in coloured belts, Gracie medalled at the 2013 black belt World No-Gi Championship before transitioning to MMA competing in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA. Gracie has also previously fought for the World Series of Fighting and currently competes in the Professional Fighters League.
Gracie is a 4th generation member of the Gracie Family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, great-grandson of Gracie jiu-jitsu founder Carlos Gracie as well as the son of 8th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu ranking system#Red / [White belt (Coral belt)|coral belt] Márcio Stambowsky.

Early life

Neiman Gracie was born on 12 December 1988 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gracie is the son of Carla Gracie, and Márcio Stambowsky. He is a 4th generation member of the Gracie Family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His sister Deborah Gracie Stambowsky is the second female in the Gracie family to achieve the rank of black belt, Gracie started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a child at age 7.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu career

Gracie has competed in numerous prestigious BJJ tournaments throughout his grappling career. His accomplishments include both gi and no-gi events, where he has frequently medaled at major competitions.
Notable Achievements:
• IBJJF Pan American Championship – Medalist in colored belts.
• IBJJF New York Open – Multiple-time champion.
• ADCC Competitor – Participated in one of the most prestigious submission grappling circuits.
• Superfights – Gracie has competed in several high-profile BJJ superfights, often facing elite grapplers from around the world.
Neiman is particularly known for his attacking guard, back control, and use of classical submissions such as the rear-naked choke and armbar. His technical foundation is based on the Gracie philosophy of leverage and efficiency over athleticism.

Mixed martial arts career

World Series of Fighting

In 2013, Gracie set his sights on competing in mixed martial arts. He signed with the World Series of Fighting promotion and made his debut in September 2013 at World Series of Fighting 5: Arlovski vs. Kyle, facing Darren Costa. He won the fight via submission in the first round.
Gracie returned to the WSOF decagon on July 5, 2014 at World Series of Fighting 11: Gaethje vs. Newell, facing Dustin Holyko. He again won the fight via submission, this time in the second round.

Bellator MMA

On October 29, 2014, it was announced that the undefeated Gracie had signed with Bellator MMA.
Gracie made his Bellator debut against Bobby Flynn on February 27, 2015 at Bellator 134. He won the fight via submission in the first round.
For his second fight with the promotion, Gracie faced Roger Carroll at Bellator 151 on March 4, 2016. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
In his third fight for Bellator, Gracie faced Rudy Bears at Bellator 163 on November 4, 2016. He won the fight via submission in the first round.
Gracie faced Dave Marfone at Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017. He won the fight via submission in the second round.
Gracie was expected to face Javier Torres at Bellator 185 on October 20, 2017. Gracie's opponent was changed to Zak Bucia after an injury to Torres. As a result of the Brennan Ward vs David Rickels match being removed from the card, also due to injury, the bout was elevated to co-main event. Gracie won the fight by submission due to a neck crank in the second round.
In his sixth fight for the promotion, Gracie faced Javier Torres at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. He won the fight via arm-triangle choke submission in the second round.

Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix and title shot

Gracie next entered the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. He faced Ed Ruth in the quarterfinals at Bellator 213 on December 15, 2018. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.
Gracie faced Rory MacDonald in the semi-finals at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Post-Grand Prix

Gracie was expected to face Kiichi Kunimoto at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019. However, Gracie had to withdraw from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Jason Jackson.
Gracie faced Jon Fitch at Bellator 246 on September 12, 2020. Gracie won the bout via second round submission.
Gracie faced Jason Jackson at Bellator 255 on April 2, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Gracie faced Mark Lemminger on September 18, 2021 at Bellator 266. He won the bout via TKO in the first round, collecting his first knockout win of his career.
Gracie faced Logan Storley on February 19, 2022 at Bellator 274. He lost the mostly standup bout via unanimous decision.
Gracie faced Goiti Yamauchi on August 12, 2022 at Bellator 284. He lost the bout in the second round after being knocked out by an uppercut.
Gracie was scheduled to face Michael Lombardo on February 4, 2023 at Bellator 290. Two weeks before the event, Lombardo was forced to withdraw from the bout and he was replaced by Dante Schiro. Gracie dominated the bout on the way to a unanimous decision victory.

Professional Fighters League

In his PFL debut, Gracie faced Goiti Yamauchi in a rematch at PFL 3 on April 19, 2024. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Gracie next faced Don Madge at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Gracie, as a replacement for Don Madge, faced Magomed Umalatov in the semifinals of the 2024 Welterweight tournament on August 23, 2024 at PFL 9. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Instructor lineage

→ Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie → Helio Gracie → Carlos Gracie Jr. > Renzo Gracie > Neiman Gracie

Championships and achievements

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Main Achievements :

2nd Place NY International Open Championship
2nd Place NY Summer Open Championship
3rd Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship 3rd Place