Our History
A legacy of learning, lineage, and leadership.
Where It All Began
Martial arts have always been an essential part of Professor Tosh Cook's life. As a youth, he was often found in front of a heavy bag or reading every book he could find about fighting and boxing. That early passion set the foundation for what would become a lifelong journey.
As a high school senior, Tosh saw an ad for a tournament designed to answer the age-old question: “What style is most effective in a real fight?” Watching Royce Gracie win UFC 1, and then UFC 2, was a revelation. Royce’s success, despite being close in size and age to Tosh, ignited his determination to learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
In 1997, Tosh moved to Southern California for school and enrolled at the Gracie Academy in Torrance. He trained first as a white belt “downstairs,” eventually being invited to study upstairs under Royce, Rorian, and “Caique.” He even trained under Grandmaster Helio Gracie himself during special visits.
Tosh’s training soon led to early no-holds-barred fights during MMA’s formative years. In preparing for PRIDE FC, Royce would train against multiple students in full-contact sessions. Tosh and his training partner Pat King joined underground NHB events in San Pedro, gyms, and union halls, before MMA was even sanctioned in California.
After returning to Fresno in 2000, Tosh established the academy under the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Training Association and later became a founding member of the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network. Today, the school honors Helio Gracie’s legacy with the ROYCE 360 curriculum and by wearing the traditional blue belt bar reserved for students and instructors committed to preserving the complete art of Jiu-Jitsu.
A Direct Line to the Source
"Gracie Jiu Jitsu is the most complete art of self-defense there is out there. You don’t have to be strong. You don’t have to be fast." - Royce Gracie
Our academy proudly belongs to the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network, a global family of schools directly affiliated with Master Royce Gracie. This connection represents more than just a name; it’s a commitment to preserving the self-defense philosophy developed by Grandmaster Helio Gracie and carried forward through Royce’s teachings.
As a founding member of the network, our school honors the original Gracie Jiu-Jitsu approach: technical precision, humility, respect, and a focus on real-world self-defense. Our instructors follow the Royce 360 curriculum and pass rigorous testing to ensure quality and authenticity.
We proudly wear blue bars on our belts, a visible reminder of our commitment to lineage and tradition.
A Culture with Purpose
“Culture is a shared way of doing something with passion.” At our academy, how we practice is just as important as what we practice. From white gis to respectful etiquette on the mat, we embody the traditional spirit of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Whether it’s your first day or your thousandth, we aim to preserve the integrity of the art and support every student on their personal journey.
The best time to begin is today and we can’t wait to train with you.