Carlos and Hélio Gracie were Brazilian martial artists credited with being the primary developers of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. They developed Brazilian jiu-jitsu based on the teachings of famed Japanese judōka, Mitsuyo Maeda in Kano Jujitsu (Judo).

Carlos purportedly acquired his initial knowledge of Jujitsu by studying in Belem under Maeda and his students. As he taught the techniques to his brothers, he created a martial arts family with Hélio and with other members of the Gracie family who provided key contributions to the style and development, eventually creating their own self defense system named Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Carlos Gracie

10th Degree Red Belt in BJJ (Grandmaster)

Instructor of Rickson Gracie

Hélio Gracie

10th Degree Red Belt in BJJ (Grandmaster)

6th Degree Red/White Belt in Judo

Instructor of Rickson Gracie

Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist and the third oldest son of Hélio Gracie. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was widely considered to be the best fighter of the Gracie clan, and one of the toughest in the world. In July 2017, he was promoted to ninth-degree red belt, the second-highest ranking in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

9th Degree Red Belt in BJJ

Retired undefeated in BJJ and MMA

Instructor of Pedro Sauer

Professor Pedro Sauer was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where from an early age, he began training in the martial arts. At age five, he began boxing and later took up Judo and Tae Kwon Do. At age fifteen, however, his friend, Rickson Gracie, invited him to train Jiu-Jitsu with his younger brother, Royler, who at the time was only nine years old. The outcome of this experience convinced him that Jiu-Jitsu was the most effective of all the martial arts, and he began training the very next day. Pedro was also a double major (Economics and Business Administration) in college. After graduation, he worked in Brazil as a stockbroker for eleven years before deciding to move to the United States and pursue a career teaching jiu-jitsu. In 1990, he moved to California with the original wave of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors. He lived in California with Rickson Gracie and trained daily with the Gracie brothers (Rickson, Rorion, and Royce), their father, Helio Gracie, their cousin, Renzo Gracie, and the Machado Brothers, as well as many others.

8th Degree Coral Belt in BJJ

Head of Pedro Sauer Association

Instructor of Jeff Curran

Jeff Curran is the founder of the Curran Jiu-Jitsu Academy and has a competitive history that spans over 27 years and counting. Professor Curran has devoted his life to the martial arts and has managed to build a world recognized team as well as becoming one of the worlds top ranked righters in the world during his career.

He and his Staff have stayed the course to develop and brand their programs to be sought out and recognized inside the community and around the globe. Mr. Curran is currently holding the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt under the legendary Master Pedro Sauer. Jeff Curran and his staff continue to lead the way and are dedicated to helping each student reach their best potential on and off the mat!

5th Degree Black Belt in BJJ

Head of Team Curran Association

Instructor of Andy Smith