Our Lineage
Carlos Gracie Sr. >> Helio Gracie >>
Carlos Gracie Jr. >> Jean Jacques Machado >>
Roberto “Gordo” Correa >> Sandro “Batata” Santiago
sandro “batata” santiago
Head Instructor (Campbell) & Co-Founder
Sandro “Batata” Santiago is a World Champion and a sixth degree Blackbelt under Master Roberto “Gordo” Correa. Batata is an accomplished competitor of Brazilian Jiu-Jistu, having won many elite championships at all the colored belts and black belt levels. He enjoys passing along his vast knowledge and love of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in an inclusive and respectful environment.
Batata came to the US in 2000 and ran the Ralph Gracie Mountain View Academy for nearly a decade. Afterwards, he founded his own Academy in 2007. He’s created and taught Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training programs at Silicon Valley’s tech giants (Apple and Electronic Arts) for over 10 years. Students credit Batata’s coaching, expectations, and standards for their incredible foundational knowledge, competition successes, and personal development.
Batata also brings a wealth of insights from his wrestling training (Stanford University under coach Chris Horpel), Judo and Muay Thai training (Brazil). When he’s not busy training or teaching, Batata enjoys surfing and traveling.
Sandro is known in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community by his nickname “Batata”.
julio echeverria
Head Instructor (Santa Cruz) & Co-Founder
Julio Echeverria is a third degree Blackbelt under both World Champion Roberto “Gordo” Correa and Sandro “Batata” Santiago. Before moving to Santa Cruz, Julio trained in Rio de Janeiro and competed in all major Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in Brazil & USA, consistently placing on the medals podium at the World Championships, Pan Ams, Brazilian Nationals, Brazilian Team Nationals and more.
Julio is the head instructor at the Sandro Batata BJJ Santa Cruz location.
Accolades
Sandro Batata’s competition achievements include:
American National
2024 American National Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship (Gold)
2016 American National Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship (Gold)
2015 American National Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship (Gold)
2014 American National Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship No Gi (Gold)
2014 American National Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship (Gold)
Master International
2024 Master International Jiu Jitsu Championship - North America (Gold)
IBJJF Worlds Masters
2024 World Masters IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Gold)
2017 World Masters IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Bronze)
2016 World Masters IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Bronze)
2015 World Masters IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Silver)
2013 World Masters IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Silver)
2012 World Masters IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Bronze)
IBJJF Worlds
2015 World Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship No Gi (Gold)
2013 World Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship No Gi (Gold)
2012 World Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship (Bronze)
1999 World Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship (Bronze)
IBJJF Pans
2017 Pan IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Bronze)
2016 Pan IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Gold)
2015 Pan IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Gold)
2013 Pan IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship (Silver)
IBJJF International Opens
2014 Vegas Summer International Open Championship (Gold)
2014 Vegas Summer International Open Championship No Gi (Gold)
2013 Long Beach Fall International Open Championship (Gold)
2012 Spring International Open Championship (Silver)
2012 Fall International Open Championship (Gold)
Pan American
2003 Pan American Championship (Gold)
2002 Pan American Championship (Bronze)
2001 Pan American Championship (Gold)
2000 Pan American Championship (Gold)
1999 Pan American Championship Hawaii (Bronze)
1998 Pan American Championship Hawaii (Gold)
1997 Pan American Championship Hawaii (Bronze)
1996 Pan American Championship Los Angeles (Silver)
Brazilian Nationals
2004 USA x Brazil Challenge Jiu Jitsu (Gold)
2003 USA x Brazil Challenge Jiu Jitsu (Gold)
1999 Brazilian Nationals (Gold)
1998 Campeonato Brasileiro De Jiu Jitsu (Silver)
1995 Campeonato Brasileiro De Jiu Jitsu (Gold)
State of Rio
1997 State Champion Rio de Janeiro Brazil (Gold)