Our Lineage - Craig Kukuk

Craig Kukuk is considered the first non-Brazilian to earn a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He began training under Rorion Gracie in 1981 at the original Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. Craig trained extensively with Rorion, Royce, Royler, Rickson, and Rolker Gracie during the foundational era of BJJ in America.

In 1992, after over a decade of dedicated training, Craig was promoted to black belt by Rorion Gracie. He became an instructor at the Torrance academy but later opened his own academies on the East Coast. Craig partnered with Renzo Gracie to create the groundbreaking instructional video series "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from A to Z" in 1993.

Craig relocated to Idaho in 1999 and founded the Freestyle Training Center, teaching no-gi jiu-jitsu exclusively. He believed deeply in the practicality of no-gi for self-defense. Craig has promoted several black belts over the years, including Jacen Flynn (Craig’s First Black Belt) and Nick Kugelman (Jacen’s First Black Belt).

Now retired from teaching, Craig remains an influential figure in the early spread of BJJ in America. His black belts Jacen and Nick opened an academy in Meridian, Idaho to continue sharing Craig's no-gi system and knowledge with new generations of students. Though no longer active in the BJJ community, Craig Kukuk's legacy lives on through his students.

References:

• BJJ Dirty Dozen

• Simon BJJ Interview with Craig Kukuk