Lineage & Affiliation
A direct line
to the source.
Arte Suave's Jiu-Jitsu comes from an unbroken chain of world champions and career coaches — Royler Gracie to Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, to Chris Blanke, to Bryan Atterson, to head coach Chris McKinney. Every technique on our mats has a story behind it.
The Timeline
From Rio de Janeiro
to Beckley, WV.
1967
Royler Gracie
Son of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, Royler becomes one of the most decorated competitors of his generation — a four-time ADCC champion and multiple-time IBJJF World Champion — carrying the Gracie family art forward.
1995
Saulo Ribeiro receives his black belt
Royler Gracie promotes Saulo Ribeiro to black belt. Saulo goes on to become a six-time IBJJF World Champion and, alongside his brother Xande, one of the most influential coaches in modern Jiu-Jitsu.
2000s
Xande Ribeiro rises
Xande Ribeiro joins his brother at the top of the sport — multiple-time IBJJF World and No-Gi World Champion, ADCC absolute champion — helping cement the Ribeiro brothers as the foundation of a global academy network.
Early 2000s
Chris Blanke — first American black belt under Saulo
Saulo Ribeiro promotes Chris Blanke to black belt: Saulo's first American black belt. Blanke builds a respected competition program and passes on the Ribeiro system to a new generation of American grapplers.
Years of training
Bryan Atterson
Coach Bryan Atterson develops a strong lineage of his own within this tradition and takes Chris McKinney under his wing, guiding him from white belt through the ranks.
Black belt
Chris McKinney receives his black belt
Bryan Atterson promotes Chris McKinney to black belt. Chris continues to represent this lineage in West Virginia and is now directly affiliated with Chris Blanke and Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu.
Today
Arte Suave — Beckley, West Virginia
Chris McKinney leads Arte Suave Jiu Jitsu Academy in Beckley, WV — carrying the Ribeiro / Blanke / Six Blades tradition into every class, every competitor, and every kid on the mat.
Head Coach
Chris McKinney
Owner · Professor · Black Belt · U.S. Army Veteran
Chris McKinney is a professional MMA fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and the owner and head coach of Arte Suave Jiu Jitsu Academy in Beckley, West Virginia. Known for his amateur success, professional bouts in the bantamweight division, and a lifetime of coaching, Chris has built a program that turns combat sports experience into clear, practical instruction.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Background
Chris earned his BJJ black belt under instructors Steve Hall and Bryan Atterson. As the owner and lead instructor of Arte Suave, he trains and mentors students in all aspects of BJJ — gi, no-gi, self-defense, and competition. Before receiving his black belt, he competed in BJJ tournaments at multiple belt levels, including a brown belt run during the early stages of his MMA career. His grappling expertise is the foundation of both his teaching and his fight style.
MMA Career
Chris had an extensive amateur MMA career with a record of 8 wins and 2 losses, finishing the majority of those victories by submission and TKO. He made his professional debut in 2017 and has fought primarily in the bantamweight division.
Amateur Fight Style
During his amateur career, Chris frequently won by submissions such as armbars and triangle chokes, posting an amateur finish rate of 87.5%. Every one of his finished amateur bouts ended before the final round, highlighting the aggressive, technical grappling that still defines his style on the mat.
Public Presence & Interviews
Chris has been featured in interviews and podcasts discussing his MMA journey, overcoming challenges from a tough upbringing, and his dedication to martial arts education. He maintains an active social media presence sharing training updates, teaching insights, and fight highlights.
In short, Chris McKinney is a well-rounded martial artist who combines professional MMA experience with high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making him a respected competitor and coach in the combat sports community.
Come train with the lineage.
Walk into any class at Arte Suave and you're training with a direct link back to Royler Gracie and the Ribeiro brothers.