In 1914 Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Champion Esai Maeda arrived in Brazil, where he was aided by a Brazilian official named Gastao Gracie. In return he taught Gastao's sons Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastao, Jorge & Helio Gracie the ancient art of Jiu-Jitsu.

In 1925 Carlos Gracie and his brothers opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Botafogo a district within Rio de Janeiro. Helio Gracie (the youngest brother) due to his frail health was forbidden from doing anything physical. However he got involved at 16 by substituting for his brother Carlos.

Despite his small frame and weight Helio created an art that depended entirely upon Technique instead of strength or speed. Daring to break away from the Japanese style he went onto modify and refine the art through constant real "No Holds Barred Fights", into what we now know today as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Rickson Gracie (see to the left of Mr. Allen J. Sachetti) the son of Helio Gracie & elder brother of Royce Gracie (of UFC fame) was born into Jiu-Jitsu starting competition at age 6, he started teaching at the age of 15 and at 18 he received his Black Belt. Rickson's fighting career has been to say the least Phenomenal, at 20 Rickson won an inspiring victory against a 230lb, Brazilian Champion named Zulu, who until then enjoyed a 140-0 NHB record.

In 1996 Allen J. Sachetti (seen right) tested for his Blue Belt In BJJ directly under Rickson Gracie. It was a 5 hour test and only 11 out of 18 were passed. After that Mr. Sachetti continued training with Rickson in Private Lessons, Seminars and Group Classes to go onto Earn a Purple Belt.

Mrs. Maribeth Sachetti earned her Blue Belt from the Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Association on 11/11/01 and went onto train with Royler Gracie, Renato Migliaccio and Luiz Palhares a senior student of Rickson Gracie.

Royler Gracie the younger brother of Rickson and older brother of Royce is the 5th son of Helio Gracie. Royler has been competing as a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu for the last 20 years. Royler has won the Brazilian World Jiu-Jitsu Championships 4 years running, the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling Championships for the last 3 years straight and winning numerous NHB fights like the Pride fights held in Japan.

Allen J. Sachetti (seen right) began training with Royler when he was with the Rickson Gracie Assoc. and he continued training with and hosting him for seminars until Feb. 2005. Mr. Sachetti was also awarded a Special Instructor's Certification from Royler in 2004

Maribeth Sachetti Trained with Royler from 2002 to 2005 and then went on to continue Training with Renato Migliaccio and then Luiz Palhares a senior student of Rickson Gracie.

Renato Migliaccio is a personal friend of Mr. Allen J. Sachetti who has visited our school often for training in advanced Gi & No Gi. Renato is a Black Belt under Ryan Gracie and a World Champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is the winner of numerous Jiu-Jitsu, Judo & Submission Grappling Tournaments in and out of Brazil. Renato won the Gold Medal at the 2002 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships and he recently competed at the 2007 Abu Dhabi Grappling Championships.

Renato currently fights MMA in M1 Global with an undefeated record. You can see his fights on You Tube. Renato hopes to return to the States in 2010 to fight in the UFC Ultimate Fighting Championships.

Luiz Palharez is quite a uniquely skilled master in Brazilian jiu-Jitsu. He began his Jiu-Jitsu training with the legendary Rolls Gracie in Brazil. After Roll's death Luiz continued training under Rickson Gracie for years. Luiz was brought from Brazil to teach at Rickson's Academy in L.A. and he is a 6th Degree Black Belt given his Black Belt directly from Rickson Gracie.

Allen J. Sachetti (seen left) started training with Luiz Palhares in April 2005 and since then Valor Martial Arts has been an Official School of the Luiz Palhares Jiu-Jitsu Association hosting Professor Palhares for seminars on a regular basis. Allen Sachetti was promoted to a well earned Black Belt by Luiz Palahares in November of 2007.

Maribeth Sachetti (seen center) is one of the few women in the world to earn a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She is also the first Filipina to earn a Black Belt In BJJ and the first women to be promted to Black Belt by Luiz Palhares.

We look forward now to the 2010 Seminar tour of Luiz Palahres at Dauntless.

Claudio Fontes is the partner of Maestro Luiz Palhares and Mr. Allen J. Sachetti met him in Brazil at the Luiz Palhares Training Camp. (Seen left in Brazil)

Claudio is a phenomenal teacher who trained me 4 hours a day every day, 7 days a week. I learned a lot from him and got to wrestle with the two 3 time world champions who are under him.

Claudio has an expertise and skill level not often seen. He really upgraded my Jiu-Jitsu and I am very happy to call him my friend.

Luiz and Claudio provide the Luiz Palhares Association a wealth of experience and knowledge that we at Dauntless BJJ Academy are happy to be a part of their Team!

Allen J. Sachetti In 1985 his car was struck by a drunk driver on the Walt Whitman Bridge, he got out to survey the damage and he was struck again (as he was standing) by the Police Car coming to help him, breaking both of his legs badly. Upon an arduous recovery at the age of 21 Allen began training in the Martial Arts.

In 1994 he began training in BJJ under Rickson Gracie from whom he reached the rank of Purple Belt. Mr. Sachetti also trained extensively with Royler Gracie, Renato Migliaccio and Luiz Palhares (a senior student of Rickson's) to earn his Brown Belt and then Black Belt in Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu.

Mr. Sachetti has been competing in Gi & No Gi events since 1996, and he won the 1998 World Full Contact Stick Fighting Champs. He is also undefeated in MMA Competitions since 1996.

Mrs. Maribeth Sachetti (seen left choking Mr. Sachetti) has won Numereous Gi and No Gi Championships including The Battle of the Beach and the 2004 NAGA National Championships. Mrs. Sachetti was promoted to Black Belt In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Luiz Palhares in 2009.

Maribeth has also become an accomplished MMA Figther training in the Sachetti MMA System which uses her native art of Filipino Dumpag as well as Muay Thai, Boxing , Wrestling and BJJ. She still remains undefeated in her weight class of 115 lbs.

Mrs. Sachetti is a Lakan Guro In Filipino Dumpag and Pekiti-Tirisia. She also has experience in Muay Thai, Wrestling, Judo, Wing Chun and now KFM.