SYSTEM Jiu-Jitsu Lineage
Craig Kukuk
Craig Kukuk is considered the first non-Brazilian to earn a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He began training under Rorion Gracie in 1981 at the original Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. Craig trained extensively with Rorion, Royce, Royler, Rickson, and Rolker Gracie during the foundational era of BJJ in America.
In 1992, after over a decade of dedicated training, Craig was promoted to black belt by Rorion Gracie.
He became an instructor at the Torrance academy but later opened his own academies on the East Coast. Craig partnered with Renzo Gracie to create the groundbreaking instructional video series "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from A to Z" in 1993.Craig relocated to Idaho in 1999 and founded the Freestyle Training Center, teaching no-gi jiu-jitsu exclusively.
He believed deeply in the practicality of no-gi for self-defense. Craig has promoted several black belts over the years, including Jacen Flynn (Craig’s First Black Belt) and Nick Kugelman (Jacen’s First Black Belt).
Now retired from teaching, Craig remains an influential figure in the early spread of BJJ in America.
His black belts Jacen and Nick opened an academy in Meridian, Idaho to continue sharing Craig's no-gi system and knowledge with new generations of students.
References:
BJJ Dirty Dozen
Simon Interview with Craig Kukuk
Owners / Head Coaches
Jacen Flynn
Jacen “The General” Flynn is the head coach at System and the standard everyone is chasing.
With a 10–3 professional MMA record and wins over Dean Lister and Denis Kang, he has been tested against real opposition and delivered. He’s been training since 1996 and became the first black belt under Craig Kukuk in 2006. That isn’t a marketing line. It’s time on the mat.
Jacen coaches the way he competed: direct, technical, and with very little patience for excuses. His jiu-jitsu is built on pressure, timing, and making simple things feel unavoidable.
He’s a dad of two and a devoted husband. For him, jiu-jitsu and fitness are not hobbies. They are a daily practice. If you train under him long enough, you’ll adopt that standard whether you planned to or not.
Nick Kugelman
Nick is the other head coach at System , and at nearly 5'6", he makes up for what he lacks in height with an abundance of opinions.
functions as our certified team mom, and holds a self-awarded PhD in heckling.
He started training in 2004 and earned his black belt under Jacen Flynn in 2015.
His coaching philosophy centers on pressure, fundamentals, and the firm belief that "almost" doesn't count.
Off the mats you'll find him fueled by energy drinks and beef jerky, which may explain a lot.
Dad, husband, coach, and full-time instigator. Nick is committed to building tough, capable humans who can solve problems under pressure.
Coaches
Matt Lane
Meet coach Matt Lane. Matt has been training with Jacen and Nick since 2012, and was awarded his black belt in 2023.
Matt is a dad of 2, and one of the premier leg lockers in the pacific northwest. If you want to compete at a high level you will want to check out his classes.
Matt Cantwell
Matt Cantwell is a black belt under Jacen Flynn, awarded in 2025 after years of consistent work, high-level competition, and making training partners question their life choices.
An ADCC Trials semifinalist with multiple podium finishes across a range of rule sets and organizations, Matt has proven he can win under pretty much any format you put in front of him. Gi, no-gi, points, sub-only. Doesn’t matter.
He is annoyingly jacked, unfairly handsome, and technically dangerous from every position. The kind of guy who can pass your guard, take your back, and then give you lifting advice afterward.
Equal parts competitor and technician, Matt brings pressure, pace, and precision to everything he does. If you roll with him, you will learn something. It just might be the hard way.
William Chain
William “Hog Leg” Chain is a Navy veteran who began training jiu-jitsu under Richie Martinez in 2020. After earning his brown belt and relocating to Boise, he joined the System coaching team in 2024 and received his black belt under Jacen Flynn.
When he’s not training, competing, or studying combat sports, Will can be found in the Idaho backcountry with family and friends, or at home refining his craft at the smoker.
