On Wednesday, June 10, 2009, Gustavo Dantas promoted two of his students, one of which was receiving his Black Belt. Trevor Rivers was promoted to Brown Belt and Steve Rosenberg was promoted to Black Belt. Jonathan Wagner was also promoted to Brown Belt, but was awarded this honor immediately after competing in the 2009 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. A move to California prevented Wagner from receiving his promotion in his home academy in Arizona.