I have recently starting training with a BB in BJJ and googled his lineage (his name is Ronny Lis). I was surprised to find that his lineage has no affiliation with the Gracies at all, but rather goes back to Maeda, who was the instructor of Carlos Gracie Sr. I found out that his lineage comes from Luis Franca, also and original student of Maeda, and Oswaldo Fadda, Franca's greatest student. They still call themselves BJJ, but they have nothing to do with Gracie JJ.
Further research has led to me find that this line has had a strong influence on the Nova Uniao JJ academy, which is one of the strongest and best academies/affiliations in the world. That also explains why there is such bad blood between them and most of the Gracie schools.
Some noted Nova Uniao grapplers/fighters:
BJ Penn
Jose Aldo
Shaolin Ribeiro
Thales Leites
Marcos Galvao
Wagnney Fabiano
Further research has led to me find that this line has had a strong influence on the Nova Uniao JJ academy, which is one of the strongest and best academies/affiliations in the world. That also explains why there is such bad blood between them and most of the Gracie schools.
Some noted Nova Uniao grapplers/fighters:
BJ Penn
Jose Aldo
Shaolin Ribeiro
Thales Leites
Marcos Galvao
Wagnney Fabiano