8th Degree Coral Belt | Founder – Pedro Sauer Association | Global Jiu-Jitsu Pioneer

Professor Pedro Sauer is a world-renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) master, technical innovator, and one of the most respected instructors of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu globally. As the founder of the Pedro Sauer Association, he has helped spread authentic Jiu-jitsu across the U.S. and abroad, establishing over 150 affiliated schools while mentoring generations of martial artists, law enforcement personnel, and military professionals.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sauer began his martial arts training at age five in boxing, later studying judo and taekwondo. At age fifteen, he was introduced to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu by his friend Rickson Gracie and began training under Rickson and Royler Gracie. In 1985, he was awarded his black belt by Grandmaster Helio Gracie and Rickson Gracie, followed by the rare Tecnico.de.Jiu‗Jitsu distinction from Helio—granted to only a few students for exceptional technical mastery.

Pioneering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the U.S.

In 1990, Sauer moved to the United States, training and teaching alongside the original wave of Gracie instructors. After time in California with Rickson, Rorion, and Royce Gracie, he relocated to Utah, where he became one of the first non-Gracie black belts to teach under the Gracie Academy. In 2006, he founded One Spirit Martial Arts in Northern Virginia, now the headquarters of the Pedro Sauer Association.

Military & Law Enforcement Instruction

Professor Sauer has delivered jiu-jitsu instruction to elite military and law enforcement groups including:

• U.S. Marine Corps units in Virginia

• U.S. Navy SEAL teams

• FBI & CIA agents in Texas

• SWAT teams in Colorado and Utah

• Utah police departments, DARE officers, and the Salt Lake City Sheriff’s Office

• POST-certified training for law enforcement in Utah

His programs focus on control, leverage, and real-world applicability, making him one of the most sought-after instructors in tactical and operational combatives.

Legacy & Recognition

Professor Sauer holds an 8th Degree Coral Belt and is widely recognized for his precision, humility, and technical mastery. His teaching style blends old-school Gracie fundamentals with modern instructional clarity, empowering students of all backgrounds to develop effective, sustainable Jiu-jitsu.Pedro Sauer continues to travel globally, conducting seminars, visiting affiliates, and preserving the legacy of Jiu-jitsu through his association and daily instruction at One Spirit Martial Arts in Herndon, Virginia.

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