Team SAS Lineage

Daniel Hunt received his black belt on July, 15 2018 from SAS Team Professors Rob Nickerson and Jorge Gurgel. SAS is a competitive, growing team in Brazil and the United States started by the Sa Family

The SAS lineage

Francisco Sa was born December 17th, 1935 in the remote town of Senador Pompeu, about 125 miles from the main city of Fortaleza. His first exposure to Jiu-Jitsu came through a weekly illustrated publication called "Cruzeiro.” The magazine contained pictures of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques demonstrated by the Helio Gracie. He also spent some time training with one of George Gracie’s students, Mr Nilo Veloso. In his late teens, Master Francisco Sá decided to move to Recife in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil to follow a career in the Brazilian Air Force. While in Recife, Francisco Sá discovered that a jiu jitsu master named Takeo Iano was teaching in the area. He immediately sought out the Japanese martial artist, and started learning from the former Kodokan academy standout. In Recife, Francisco Sá dedicated all his time and effort to Jiu Jitsu, and in 6 years he made it from white belt to the rank of instructor under Takeo Iano.

After years of training in Recife, Master Sá decided to return to his home state to be closer to his family. There he opened his first academy, which was called “Central Ringue Club” later to be renamed as “Academia Professor Sá” (Professor Sá Academy). From this academy he developed several important fighters, including his own son “Sazinho”, who became one of the most popular coaches in the region. The family of fighters continues to deliver high class fighters such as Guybson Sá & Robson Sá, also his sons and Daniel Beleza, Jorge Gurgel, Marcus Aurelio, Daniel Tavares. Master Sa was one of the few BJJ practitioners to acquire the highly esteemed rank of Red Belt. This is the highest rank achievable in the Gentle Art. To reach Red Belt (Grand Master) takes about 40 years after attaining the rank of Black Belt. Master Sa received his Black Belt in 1959 from Nilo Veloso. As of 2013, Master Sa had been a black belt for 54 years. The Sa Family is considered to be like the Gracies in Northeast of Brazil for being pioneers in the Martial Art. The Sa’s are highly esteemed to have a leader that attained the rank of Red Belt.

Professor Francisco "Sazinho" Carlos Pinto Sa, was born in Fortaleza 1964 and is the oldest Son of Master Sa. He is currently a 6th Degree Black Belt (black belt since 1985). He is also president of SAS TEAM BJJ Worldwide, president of the BJJ Olympic Federation in the State of Ceará and president of the Professional Fighting National Confederation. "Sazinho" is a two time national champion in Brazil, Pan American Champion in United States all at the rank of Black Belt. He has formed over 100 world medalists and many international MMA fighters who have competed in the sport's largest events including the UFC, Bellator, Pride and Strikeforce.

Guybson Sa, was born in Fortaleza - Brazil 1988 and received his Black Belt in 2009 from Master Sa and Professor Sazinho after winning the World Championship by CBJJO and CBJJE in the Ranks of Purple and Brown Belts. He won the finals against the BJJ aces, Rodolfo Vieira and Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida. Guybson also won the Nationals twice by the same Confederations as a Blue and Purple belt respectively. He is a 6 time Ceará State Champion and 3 time Northeast Champion (9 states). Guybson fights professional Mixed Martial Arts as well, with wins in Brazil, and the U.S. in the Shooto Brazil and Blood Brothers organizations. Guybson moved to the U.S. in 2009 and has been competing steadily winning the State Championships in New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona and Georgia. He is currently a 12 time North American Grappling Association champion.

Gurgel is originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, where he earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Marcus Aurélio. He has competed in both jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts. He currently owns and teaches at JG MMA in Ohio and continues to produce BJJ and MMA competitors of all ages. Gurgel has trained known fighters such as Rich Franklin, Justin Edwards, Zoila Frausto, Dustin Hazelett, Jason Butcher, and Sean Salmon.

Prof. Nickerson holds a 2nd degree black belt under Professor Jorge Gurgel through Master Saziho Sa of Team SAS. He is a 20 year student and veteran of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,mma and has competed, or trained in Boxing for nearly 26 years. Competed in nearly 20 mma bouts amateur and professional combined with only 3 losses. Prof.

Rob still finds enjoyment out of training side by side his students as he prepares them for countless competitions. Professor Rob Nickerson III began training boxing at the age of twelve. It was in 1999 when he began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu first under a Carlson Gracie black belt. With mma still in its infancy it was during this time, Rob began to apply his mainstream sport experience to BJJ and MMA training often running his own camps. Applying a trial and error approach to his own career helped him develop a better training process for future students. It was  In 2006 while traveling to train under SAS team Black Belt, UFC and Strikeforce vet Prof. Jorge Gurgel. That Rob was inspired and found guidance to better understand the intricacies and conceptual side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Rob competed in all realms of martial arts. From grappling tournaments, boxing, kickboxing and mma fights.

Daniel Hunt began training boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 12. As a teenager he competed often throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. On July 15, 2018 he received his black belt from Professors Rob Nickerson and Jorge Gurgel. That year, he moved down to Atlanta to teach BJJ full time for a gym before founding Temporal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy at the end of 2020.