Sensei Sandy’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Lineage & Coaching
Trace the historical roots and instructor relationships behind Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville, New York.
Your first visit
Tour first
See the space, meet the coach, ask anything. Sandy helps you choose the next step.
Safety walkthrough
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Beginner lane
Built for brand new students. Step-by-step. Always.
Coaching credibility
Sandy → Josh Griffiths → Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu
Sandy Jose Nunez is the owner and head coach of Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville. He trained under fourth-degree black belt Josh Griffiths at Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu in New York City, and Josh awarded Sandy his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. The historical roots and source records below provide the longer reference trail.
Verification Notice: Sensei Sandy BJJ is the Tannersville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio led by Sandy Jose Nunez (Sensei Sandy). Tracing from Kanō Jigorō, Mitsuyo Maeda, Carlos Gracie, Hélio Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr., Roberto Maia, Kenny Florian, Josh Griffiths to Sandy Jose Nunez, this page documents the academy's location, lineage, and instructor credentials.
Traditional Heritage
Historical Roots
This overview shows the historical development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Belt-award relationships are documented separately below.
Image credits: Carlos Gracie and Hélio Gracie are public-domain Archivo Nacional portraits. Kenny Florian credit to Peter Gordon, CC BY 2.0. Carlos Gracie Jr., Roberto Maia, Josh Griffiths, and Sandy Jose Nunez use locally hosted portraits.
Historical lineage at a glance
Tracing from the founding of Kodokan Judo in Japan to the early development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Training Relationships
These documented training and instruction relationships provide context; they are not presented as belt-award claims.
Direct Black-Belt Promotions
The verified award relationships documented on this page are:
- Roberto Maia — black belt awarded by Renzo Gracie.
- Kenny Florian — black belt awarded by Roberto Maia.
- Josh Griffiths — black belt awarded by Kenny Florian.
- Sandy Jose Nunez — black belt awarded by Josh Griffiths.
Verify Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville
Confirm the identity and location of your instructor and academy.
Understanding BJJ Lineage
How to Read a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Lineage
A martial arts lineage maps the transmission of knowledge from teacher to student across generations. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), tracing this lineage serves as a system of quality control, allowing academies and students to verify that their coach's credentials are based on a legitimate line of training and promotions starting from the foundations of the art.
However, it is important to distinguish between **historical roots** and a direct **instructional lineage**. While a historical root represents the legacy of influence and training relationships, an instructional lineage documents the exact chain of black-belt promotions. Historical influence and formal belt promotions do not always mean the same thing. For example, Carlos Gracie Jr. was the son of Carlos Gracie Sr. and trained within the wider Gracie family, including under Rolls Gracie. Similarly, Roberto Maia trained under Carlos Gracie Jr. at Gracie Barra in Rio de Janeiro, but formally received his black belt from Renzo Gracie in 1994.
At Sensei Sandy BJJ, we value transparency. Rather than presenting a single simplified chain that glosses over these training relationships, we split our lineage documentation into two sections: the broad historical roots of the art, and the direct, recent chain of active mentors who awarded the black belts leading directly to Sensei Sandy.
Part I
Historical Roots of BJJ
Tracing the transition from classical Japanese Jujutsu and Kodokan Judo to the development of early Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Kanō Jigorō
Founder of Kodokan Judo
Kanō Jigorō (1860–1938) was a Japanese educator, athlete, and the founder of Kodokan Judo. Born in Mikage (now part of Kobe), Kanō studied classical Jujutsu styles, including Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū and Kitō-ryū, during a period when these martial arts were declining in Japan. In 1882, he founded the Kodokan, transforming combat techniques into a comprehensive educational system called Judo. Kanō's philosophy emphasized "Maximum Efficiency, Minimum Effort" (Seiryoku Zen'yo) and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit" (Jita Kyoei). He became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee in 1909 and worked tirelessly to integrate martial arts into Japanese public education and introduce Judo to the world.
Mitsuyo Maeda
Judo Expert & Combat Pioneer
Mitsuyo Maeda (1878–1941) was a legendary Japanese judoka and professional prize fighter. Known in Brazil as "Conde Koma" (Count Combat), Maeda was one of the Kodokan's elite ambassadors sent by Kanō Jigorō to introduce Judo to the West. Maeda traveled through the United States, Central America, Europe, and South America, engaging in hundreds of public challenge matches against wrestlers, boxers, and savate fighters to prove the effectiveness of Japanese grappling. In 1914, he arrived in Belém, Brazil, where he eventually settled. Maeda's vast practical experience in real-world combat refined his grappling techniques, placing heavy emphasis on ground control and submissions, which he began teaching in Brazil.
Carlos Gracie Sr.
Founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Carlos Gracie Sr. (1902–1994) was the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the patriarch of the Gracie family. As a teenager in Belém, Carlos witnessed a public demonstration by Mitsuyo Maeda and became his student. Carlos absorbed Maeda's techniques and later moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he opened the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in 1925. Along with his younger brother Hélio, Carlos adapted and refined the martial art to emphasize leverage over strength. Carlos was also a nutritionist, philosopher, businessman, developing the "Gracie Diet" and establishing the challenge match tradition ("Gracie Challenge") that popularized their style across Brazil.
Hélio Gracie
Co-Founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Hélio Gracie (1913–2009) was a co-founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century. Due to his frail physical health as a youth, Hélio could not participate in the intense physical training at his brother Carlos's academy, instead learning by watching. Recognizing that many traditional Japanese techniques relied on physical strength, Hélio modified them to focus on leverage, timing, and defensive guards. He tested these refinements in legendary, long-running challenge matches, most famously against judo champion Masahiko Kimura. His modifications allowed a smaller, weaker practitioner to defend against and defeat a larger, stronger attacker.
Part II
Sensei Sandy’s Instructor Lineage
Exploring the direct instructor-student belt promotions that connect Sandy Jose Nunez to the Gracie Barra and Boston BJJ traditions.
Carlos Gracie Jr.
Gracie Barra Founder & IBJJF President
Carlos Gracie Jr. (born 1956) is a prominent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master, the founder of Gracie Barra, and the creator of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). The son of Carlos Gracie Sr., Carlos Jr. trained extensively under both his father and his uncle Hélio Gracie, as well as under his legendary cousin Rolls Gracie. After Rolls's untimely passing in 1982, Carlos Jr. took over his instruction and later founded Gracie Barra in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. Under his leadership, Gracie Barra grew into one of the largest BJJ organizations globally, emphasizing community, structured curriculum, and competitive excellence, while the IBJJF standardized rules worldwide.
Roberto Maia
Founder of Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Roberto Maia is a pioneer of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in New England and the founder of Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the first BJJ academy in Boston. Maia grew up in Rio de Janeiro, training under Carlos Gracie Jr. at the historic Gracie Barra academy alongside legendary figures like Jean Jacques Machado and Renzo Gracie. He was formally awarded his black belt by Renzo Gracie in 1994. Moving to Massachusetts, Maia introduced BJJ to a region dominated by traditional martial arts. Over three decades, Maia has coached thousands of students, including police officers, UFC fighters, and local families, earning a reputation for detailed, safety-first technical instruction and a welcoming training environment.
Kenny Florian
UFC Veteran & BJJ Black Belt
Kenneth Alan Florian (born 1976) is a retired American mixed martial artist, UFC veteran, and commentator. A former Division I soccer player at Boston College, Florian began training BJJ under Roberto Maia to stay active. He quickly excelled, earning his black belt from Maia and competing in prestigious tournaments like the Pan American Championships. Florian rose to national prominence on the inaugural season of *The Ultimate Fighter* in 2005, going on to challenge for UFC titles in multiple weight classes. Known for his elite technical grappling and articulate analysis, Florian later served as a UFC color commentator and currently works as a PFL commentator and co-host of the Anik & Florian Podcast.
Josh Griffiths
4th Degree Black Belt • Founder & Head Instructor, Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu
Joshua Griffiths is a fourth-degree BJJ black belt under Kenny Florian and the head instructor of Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu in New York City. Josh awarded Sandy Jose Nunez his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. This page focuses on the direct instructional relationship and the available verification records.
Competing in the Meio Pesado (88kg/194lbs) division, Josh won dozens of tournaments, including the 2007 Pan American Championship (brown), 2010 & 2011 World Pro Cup Trials, multiple Abu Dhabi World Pro trials, and Copa Atlantica titles (2004–2006 weight & absolute). Known for his signature Cross Choke, his coaching style is fun, technical, and honest. He specializes in teaching students how to feel heavy and properly distribute weight—a core skill based on leverage rather than athleticism.
Sandy Jose Nunez
Owner & Head Coach, Sensei Sandy BJJ
Sandy Jose Nunez is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, the head instructor of Sensei Sandy BJJ in Tannersville, NY, and the founder of Jiu Jitsu Sandy. Sandy began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in New York City, dedicating years of training under Josh Griffiths at Clockwork Jiu Jitsu. After earning his black belt, Sandy relocated to the Catskills to open Sensei Sandy BJJ, a studio designed specifically for local families, busy adults, and beginners. Sandy's coaching philosophy is centered on safety, structured progression, and a calm, supportive learning environment. He is dedicated to helping kids, teens, and adults build confidence, coordination, and functional skill at a comfortable pace.
Students at Sensei Sandy BJJ
The living continuation of the lineage
Students at Sensei Sandy BJJ learn in a calm, coached room where this lineage becomes practical skill, safe movement, and steady progress for kids, teens, and adults.
Josh Griffiths and Sandy Jose Nunez at Clockwork Jiu Jitsu in New York City.
Rank Verification
Documented Rank & Affiliation
Verification is the bedrock of credibility in martial arts. At Sensei Sandy BJJ, we believe that transparency is essential. Sandy Jose Nunez received his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from fourth-degree black belt Josh Griffiths of Clockwork Jiu Jitsu. This rank was awarded after years of continuous daily instruction and practice in NYC.
"Lineage isn't about boasting. It's about accountability. Knowing who taught your coach tells you about the safety, details, and environment of the room you train in."
— Sandy Jose Nunez
Sensei Sandy BJJ maintains an active relationship with Clockwork Jiu Jitsu in New York City, assuring that the technical standard taught on our mats in Tannersville matches the elite quality of one of Manhattan's premier BJJ academies.
- Affiliation: Clockwork Jiu Jitsu Affiliate
- Verified Location: 6045 Main Street, 2nd Floor Studio, Tannersville, NY 12485
- Belt Verification: Black Belt awarded by Josh Griffiths (NYC)
Sources & Verification Registry
Every detail on this lineage page is backed by third-party documentation. Registry last reviewed and verified: July 2026.
| Member Name | Primary Supporting Source | Status / Verified Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kanō Jigorō | IJF Hall of Fame Biography | Verified: July 2026 |
| Mitsuyo Maeda | Wikipedia Combat Records & Bibliography | Verified: July 2026 |
| Carlos Gracie Sr. | Carlos Gracie Founder Profile | Verified: July 2026 |
| Hélio Gracie | Gracie Academy History | Verified: July 2026 |
| Carlos Gracie Jr. | Carlos Gracie Jr. Profile | Verified: July 2026 |
| Roberto Maia | Boston BJJ Academy History | Verified: July 2026 |
| Kenny Florian | Kenny Florian Lineage Profile | Verified: July 2026 |
| Josh Griffiths | Clockwork BJJ Lineage Profile | Verified: July 2026 |
| Sandy Jose Nunez | Sensei Sandy Official Bio & Academy Promotion Photo | Verified: July 2026 |
Image credits: Portraits of Kanō Jigorō and Mitsuyo Maeda are historical public domain images. Portraits of Carlos Gracie Sr. and Hélio Gracie are public domain Archivo Nacional records. Kenny Florian portrait CC BY 2.0 (Peter Gordon). Carlos Gracie Jr., Roberto Maia, Josh Griffiths, Sandy Jose Nunez, and promotion photos are owned by their respective academies and featured under permission.
Start With a Free Intro Before Joining
For parents, busy adults, and anyone who wants a calm first step. Tour the academy, meet Sensei Sandy, and see if it's the right fit for you or your child.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Tannersville for Hunter, Windham, Haines Falls, and the Catskills
Sensei Sandy BJJ is at 6045 Main Street, 2nd Floor Studio, in Tannersville, NY. The studio serves beginners, families, weekend visitors, and returning martial artists from Tannersville, Hunter, Windham, Haines Falls, and nearby Catskills communities.
New students start with a Free Intro that includes a room tour, safety walkthrough, Beginner Lane explanation, and help choosing the right small-group class path.
Lineage Verification