The History and Lineage of the LINXX Academy Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Program

Helio Gracie

In the early 1900's, a Japanese jiu-jitsu instructor by the name of Esai Maeda went to the state of Para in Northern Brazil. There he befriended Gastao Gracie, a influential businessman, who helped the Japanese get established. To show his gratitude, Maeda, also known as "Count Koma," offered to teach the traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu to Gastao's oldest son, Carlos.

The youngest son of Gastao and Cesalina Gracie's eight children, Helio was always a very physically frail child. When he was about 14, he moved in with his older brothers who lived and taught jiu-jitsu in a house in Botafogo, a borough of Rio de Janeiro. Young Helio would spend the next few years watching his brothers teach, especially Carlos, since doctors had recommended that he keep away from any physical activity.

By the time Helio was 16 years old, he realized that some of the traditional techniques he learned from Carlos were not very easy for him to execute. He then started to adapt those moves to his frail body's abilities, improving the leverage in the execution of some of those techniques. He dared to break away from the traditional jiu-jitsu his brothers had learned and were teaching, and through trial and error, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was born.

Helio eventually fought 17 fights including matches against the world wrestling champion, Wladek Zbyszko and a qualifying fight against the #2 jiu-jitsu fighter in the world, Kato, who Helio choked unconscious in 6 minutes. This victory enabled him to enter the ring with the world champion, Masahiko Kimura, who outweighed Helio by over 80 pounds. Helio Gracie holds the record for the longest match in history for a battle against his former student, Waldemar Santana, which lasted an amazing 3 hours and 40 minutes!

Helio's relentless contribution to the perfection of jiu-jitsu techniques, his philosophy on life and his unique teaching methodology have been an example for his children and his students worldwide.

Rickson Gracie

Rickson (pronounced Hickson), son of Helio Gracie, was born into Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. At six years old he began competing; at fifteen he started to teach the art; and at eighteen he received his Black Belt. Rickson is a 7th Degree Black Belt Open Class Champion of the Gracie Family, whose technique is considered to be the finest expression of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the world. His innate talent and early mastery of the sport have resulted in an impeccable undefeated record in more than 400 fights, including Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, free-style wrestling, Sambo, open weight free-style competitions, and no holds barred challenge matches. Rickson is a two time Brazilian Champion in free-style wrestling, a Gold Medal Winner of Sambo, and for almost two decades he has been the middle-heavyweight and no weight division World Jiu-Jitsu Champion. Most recently, he conquered Japan's elite fighting in a tournament, the Japan Open Vale Tudo, winning both in 1994 and 1995.

In the 1997 Pride 1 Vale Tudo match in Japan's Tokyo Dome (before 47,860 spectators), he defeated Japan's top ranked fighter, Nobuhiko Takada, in 4:47 of the first round. A year later, to the day, in the 1998 Pride 4 Vale Tudo match, Rickson defended his title. In the most awaited rematch in martial arts history, drawing an overwhelming 50,000 spectators to Japan's Tokyo Dome, Rickson defeated Takata once again. At Colosseum 2000, held at the Tokyo Dome, broadcast to 30 million TV Tokyo viewers (the highest viewed television program for its time slot), Rickson fought Japan's number one fighter, Masakatsu Funaki. He defeated his opponent with a rear naked choke in 11:46 of the first round.

A modern day legend, Rickson Gracie has gained international acclaim for his leadership in disseminating the art and philosophy of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He is the epitome of discipline, determination and sportsmanship.

Pedro Sauer

Pedro Sauer was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began studying Jiu-Jitsu at the Gracie Academy when he was 14 years old and earned his Black Belt from Helio and Rickson in 1985. Because of his close personal friendship with Rickson, few people outside the "family" spent as much with the Gracie's as Pedro did. By many students and friends, Pedro is fondly referred to as "the Gracie's best kept secret," and is praised as Rickson's "most technical student".

Pedro's technical skill was so superior that Master Helio Gracie awarded him with the coveted "Tecnico de Jiu-Jitsu; a special certificate given in recognition of superior technical mastery.

Pedro's unique skill and technique 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.

Frank Cucci

Frank Cucci began his training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training with Pedro Sauer in 1993 and was awarded his black belt in 2003. He was Pedro's first affiliate instructor and the first student given permission to teach outside of the Pedro Sauer Academy. Today, he serves as a board member for the Pedro Sauer Jiu-Jitsu Association, providing recommendations and oversight to over 60 affiliate schools. Mr. Cucci continues to study with Professor Sauer on a regular basis, and receives supplemental training with Rickson and Royler Gracie.

Mr. Cucci receives high accolades for his technical expertise and teaching ability. Rising thru the ranks, he was an active competitor and competed in many national and international competitions to include winning a Gold Medal at the 1999 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To his credit, Mr. Cucci has trained and produced several national Jiu-Jitsu champion Black Belts to include, Scott Turner, Nestor Bayot and Brett Thompson.

Mr. Cucci is the Founder and Head Instructor of the LINXX Academy of Martial Arts. He is a veteran of the elite U.S. Navy SEAL Team and has over 25 years of martial arts experience. He is considered by many to be one of the most experienced, highly skilled, and well-rounded Martial Artists in the country.