A coral belt under Rickson Gracie, Pedro Sauer has recently joined forces with the Gracie Academy (Ryron and Rener Gracie).

This means that all Pedro Sauer academies will be urged to become ‘Certified Training centres’. They will be tied to the Gracie Academy and follow the same curriculum.

In a recent article by Emil Fischer of JiuJitsutimes, Sauer was asked to give his opinion on the ‘technical blue belts’ which is a blue belt awarded through the mail based on videos sent to Gracie Academy for grading. Many people feel that this potentially waters down the art:

“Yes I got familiar with availability of the technical blue belt this past year and I need to say it is not an easy test, actually it is hard, everyone needs to pass with 95% score, not an easy test, very detailed and put together. We respect those who’ve achieved a technical blue belt as they may be able to protect themselves better that a normal blue belt who hasn’t done a self-defense curriculum. We will respect the belt for sure at the point the student will be ready to start his grappling career with more knowledge of how to protect their joints and with that preventing injuries for a long future.” As for people who have achieved rank in the art without having learned the self defense aspects “We will respect all belts and I don’t feel comfortable demoting people. We will make sure that they learn the curriculum for their next advancement.”

The same train of thought is shared by Rener Gracie who said in an interview with Brazil’s tatame magazine, that online learning is even more effective than a traditional school:

“Some people do not understand that online study is even more effective than learning in the traditional school. In a live class, there are students of all stripes, and the teacher gives the same lesson for everyone. Online, each one has its specific class. Some people tried to learn in the classroom, but the lessons were random, and some students had difficulty learning. And what did they do? Resorted to Gracie University. “

Pedro Sauer isan 8th degree Brazilian jiu jitsu coral belt and a student of the legendary Rickson Gracie. Pedro Sauer is revered as one of the pioneers of the gentle art in the United States, having moved to the northern hemisphere country in the early 1990’s. Since arriving, Master Sauer has captured a legion of followers through lectures and workshops as well as for his skill as an instructor, having developed several high level black belts of his own. In 2005 he was voted by an online poll as the “Best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor” in the world. See full biography on BJJ Heroes.