GRACIE BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a ground-based combat system developed from traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu by the Gracie family of Brazil. Known for its devastating ground fighting techniques, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was specifically developed and designed to subdue or defeat a much larger attacker by simple application of leverage and technique. Gaining superior position to your opponent and applying a myriad of chokes, holds, locks and joint manipulations becomes the foundation for this exciting martial art and combat system. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is quickly learned and absorbed and can make any individual capable of defending themselves in virtually all self-defense situations.
We are affiliated with Professor Pedro Sauer, 8th Degree Red & Black Belt Master Instructor under Grandmaster Helio Gracie (Co-Founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) and Master Rickson Gracie. Our instructors at the Academy have experience training in Jiu-Jitsu for over 10 years.
FFMAA BJJ Lineage - Professor Pedro Sauer (8th Degree) and his teacher Grandmaster Helio Gracie (10th Degree)
Private and Semi-Private Lessons are a great way for student to get one-on-one attention in achieving their specific goals. These goals may include extra help for their classes, including preparation for testing and refinement of basic and advanced skills. In addition, special programs can be developed to meet physical conditioning goals including weight loss, increase strength and cardiovascular endurance.
INSTRUCTORS: Coach Stephen Grantham, and Coach Kevin Lee
ATTIRE: Gi (available for FFMAA Pro Shop)
Our beginner class follows a strict curriculum from the Pedro Sauer Association that implements fundamentals and techniques to development students progression and helping them to understand body mechanics. Each class introduces a new technique from a position, and students drill the techniques until they become proficient. Our techniques covers basic submissions, passes, sweeps,escapes and stand-up self defense.
Professor Pedro Sauer’s Certifications
* 1985 - Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Helio and Rickson Gracie* 1986 - Tecnico de Jiu-Jitsu. This is a special certificate given in recognition of superior technical mastery of the art of jiu-jitsu, given to only a handful of students by Helio Gracie.* 1990 - Certified Black Belt Instructor by Robson Gracie and the Federacao de Jiu-Jitsu* Black Belt Judo* 1993 - 3rd Degree Black Belt from Rorion Gracie* 1996 - Level 6 Instructor Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Rorion and Royce Gracie)* 2000 - 5th Degree Black Belt under the Federacao de Jiu-Jitsu* 2003 - 6th Degree Black Belt
* 2007 - 7th Degree Red and Black Belt
* 2010 - 8th Degree Red and Black Belt
Professor Sauer earned his Black Belt from Helio and Rickson in 1985. Long recognized for the superior technical efficiency of his jiu-jitsu, he then began his career as an instructor in 1986 when asked to teach with an organization known in Brazil as Corpo/Quatro (Body of Four) where he taught and continued his training under renowned jiu-jitsu instructors Alvaro Barreto (who is a red belt master under Helio Gracie). After moving to Utah in December of 1990, he taught as one of only two non-Gracie black belts under the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy (run by Rorion and Royce Gracie). In October of 1996, he became an official representative Black Belt Instructor under the Rickson Gracie American Jiu-Jitsu Association.
Currently, Professor Sauer resides in Virginia where he instructs at One Spirit Martial Arts and at Jeff Gordon's Self Defense Academy. He also has several affiliated schools across the country, and he visits them on a regular basis to give intensive instruction to the students and instructors. He is one of the most highly sought after instructors in the U.S. (of any martial discipline) and has presented hundreds of public seminars around the nation.
Professor Sauer works extensively with military groups in Virginia, including the Marines and various groups from the Navy SEAL teams (including the snipers). He has also trained FBI and CIA agents in Texas. SWAT teams in Colorado and Utah. Also in Utah, Professor Sauer has trained the police in Provo, Orem, DARE officers, the Sheriffs department in Salt Lake City, POST (Police Officer's Standard Training) in SLC, and also the Orem Fire Department.Professor Sauer's skill, confidence, and fearlessness as a jiu-jitsu practitioner win him the respect of all that work with him. However, it is through his sincere personality, his passion for teaching, and his ability to transfer his skills to his students in an efficient and professional manner, that he has earned the loyalty of students across the nation, and has established himself as one of the premier military and law enforcement instructors in the U.S.