Michael Cashman

Michael Cashman, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, was permanently dismissed from Gracie Barra following a formal internal investigation conducted by the organization's Safety, Ethics, and Compliance Team. An independent Ethics Council — composed of long-standing Gracie Barra school owners with no direct ties to Cashman — unanimously recommended the dismissal, lending the process a credible degree of impartiality.

Official Communications and Sanctions

Gracie Barra North America issued official communications regarding the dismissal on July 25, 2025, and again on August 20, 2025, as reported on September 10, 2025. The sanctions were comprehensive: Cashman was stripped of all rights to act in or claim any roles associated with Gracie Barra, banned from teaching, training, or entering any Gracie Barra school worldwide, and formally removed from the organization's lineage.

Appeal Process and Regional Notifications

Under Gracie Barra procedures, Cashman was afforded seven calendar days from the date of written notification to submit a written appeal, though the specific date of that notification was not disclosed publicly. Franchise owners across California, Arizona, and Idaho received direct communications instructing them to confirm only that Cashman is no longer affiliated with Gracie Barra and that the decision resulted from formal, impartial processes.