With the growing popularity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tucson Arizona has become a fast growing hub for some of the best BJJ gyms in the state.
The best BJJ gyms in Tucson range from small schools focused exclusively on BJJ to large martial arts schools offering arts such as MMA and boxing alongside BJJ.
Whether you live in Tucson or are just stopping through, be sure to check out these top 10 BJJ gyms. Most of them offer free open mats where anyone can come check out the school.
Regardless of your experience in BJJ or goals in martial arts, you can be sure to find the best BJJ gym you could ask for in Tucson.
Sonoran Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Led by BJJ Blackbelt Aaron Botelho, Sonoran BJJ offers a full class schedule including gi and no-gi jiu jitsu classes.
Aaron has been training BJJ since 2008. He started BJJ in Tucson and has since trained in Rio de Janeiro at the original Carlson Gracie School.
He was awarded his blackbelt in 2017 by Martin Escobar under the Carlson Gracie lineage.
Aaron has competed and medaled in major tournaments in the U.S. and abroad including Arizona State competitions, Pans, and Worlds.
Sonoran BJJ is an affiliate school in the Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu Association.
Classes Offered at Sonoran BJJ
- Children’s Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- No-Gi All-Levels
- Gi Fundamentals Level I
- Gi Fundamentals Level II
- Gi All-Levels
Instructors at Sonoran BJJ
- Aaron Botelho – Head Coach, Blackbelt
- Morgan Holland – Assistant Coach, Blackbelt
- Christian Wilson – Assistant Coach, Purple Belt
Special Offers
Free Trial Class
Location and Contact Information
Address: 5418 E Pima St Tucson, Arizona 85712
Phone: (520) 358-5072
Email: Sonoranbjj@gmail.com
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Tucson
Head Coach Anthony Birchak leads 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu’s Tucson affiliate. A UFC Veteran and MMA fighter with an impressive record of 16-7, Birchak brings his wrestling, BJJ, and MMA experience to the table at 10th Planet Tucson.
Anthony holds a blackbelt in the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu system and has trained and competed across the globe. A Tucson native, Birchak has found his own personal MMA style, dubbed ‘Torotech MMA’ with a combination of D1-wrestling, BJJ, and Muay Thai experience to offer a full spectrum of martial arts training in Tucson.
10th Planet Tucson is a no-gi BJJ school, but also offers MMA, wrestling, and HIIT Boxing classes to all students.
The open mats at 10th Planet Tucson are known in the community for attracting skilled BJJ players from all across town, and are free to anyone.
Classes Offered at 10th Planet Tucson
- Children’s No Gi
- No Gi Fundamentals
- Advanced No Gi
- All-Levels No Gi
- Women’s No Gi
- Wrestling
- MMA
- HIIT Boxing
Instructors at 10th Planet Tucson
- Anthony Birchak – Head Coach, 10th Planet Black Belt
- Andrew Slater – Assistant Coach, 10th Planet Brown Belt
- Chris Bennet – Assistant Coach, 10th Planet Purple Belt
- Mercedes White – Assistant Coach, 10th Planet Purple Belt
Special Offers
Free Trial Class
Free Open Mats 3x per Week
Location and Contact
Address: 4765 East Speedway Boulevard Tucson, AZ, 85712
North Side Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai
Head coach Sean Huff leads Northside BJJ, an Ares Affiliate school located on the North end of Tucson, Arizona.
Northside Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers a range of martial arts classes including gi BJJ, no-gi BJJ, Muay Thai, and strength and conditioning.
Known for producing some of the toughest competitors in Tucson, Northside BJJ is the place to go if you are looking for serious BJJ training in North Tucson. Decades of combined experience between the head coaches means that you will receive top-notch instruction in any of the disciplines offered.
Classes offered at North Side BJJ Tucson
- Children’s Beginner BJJ
- Children’s Advanced BJJ
- Children’s Muay Thai
- BJJ Fundamentals
- BJJ Competition Class
- No-gi
- Wrestling
- Muay Thai
- Women’s No-gi and Wrestling
- Open Mat
Instructors at North Side BJJ Tucson
- Professor Sean Alexander Huff – Head Instructor, Black Belt
- Paul Leon Nava – Assistant Coach, Black Belt
- Dusty Alexander – Assistant Coach, Black Belt
- Anthony Torres – Assistant Coach, Black Belt
Special Offers
Trial Class
Open Mat
Location and Contact
Address: 698 E Wetmore Rd. Suite 424 Tucson AZ 85705
Phone: 520-248-318
Inverse BJJ Tucson
Serving the South side of Tucson and Vail, Inverse BJJ offers top notch instruction under the tutelage of BJJ Black Belt Gordon Kimura. Kimura has a wealth of competition experience including medalling at Pans and Worlds in both brown and black belt divisions.
Inverse BJJ has produced some serious contenders in all divisions and has locations in Tucson and Vail. Classes include BJJ no gi and gi for kids and adults. Beginner and advanced classes are offered as well.
Classes offered at Inverse BJJ
- Kids BJJ
- Teens BJJ
- Adult No Gi All Levels
- Adult GI All Levels
- Adult Advanced BJJ
- Open Mat
Instructors at Inverse BJJ
- Gordon Kimura – Black Belt
- Gabriel Souza – Black Belt
Special Offers
Trial Class
Location and Contact
Inverse Tucson
Address: 60 N. Harrison Road Suite A170 Tucson, AZ 85748
Phone: 520-290-2299
Inverse Vail:
Address: 9172 S. Houghton Road Suite 140 Tucson, AZ 85747
Phone: 520-290-2299
Email: info@inversejj.com
DeBrazil Jiu Jitsu Tucson
Founded in 1997 by Martin Escobar, a Carlson Gracie Blackbelt, DeBrazil Jiu Jitsu is the longest running BJJ school in Tucson. With 12 in-house blackbelts a fierce competition team, DeBrazil BJJ is a great option for BJJ training if you are in the South Tucson area.
A former police officer, MMA fighter, and IBJJF silver medalist, Escobar brings a wealth of martial arts experience to the table. He has trained athletes, police officers, and MMA fighters of all levels.
In addition to sport BJJ, DeBrazil offers self-defense, MMA, and Law Enforcement arrest and control tactics.
Classes offered at DeBrazil Jiu Jitsu Tucson
- Kids BJJ
- Adult BJJ
- MMA
- Open Mat
Instructors at DeBrazil Jiu Jitsu Tucson
- Martin Escobar – Head Coach, Blackbelt
Special Offers
Trial Class
Location and Contact
Address: 560 W 22nd St Tucson, AZ 85713
Phone: 520-440-4264
Gracie Barra Tucson
Gracie Barra Tucson is the largest BJJ gym in Tucson and offers a safe, inclusive environment to develop BJJ skills. Gracie Barra Tucson has been open for 4 years and has grown into a large academy offering gi, no gi, and self-defense jiu jitsu classes for kids and adults.
Professor Paulo Cezar Pinheiro, a 4th degree BJJ blackbelt under Carlos Gracie Jr. leads the program at Gracie Barra Tucson. Professor Paulo has been training in BJJ for over 25 years and has won gold medals at the blackbelt level in promotions across the globe.
Classes Offered at Gracie Barra Tucson
- Children’s BJJ
- Adult Gi Fundamentals
- Adult Gi All-Levels
- Adult Gi Advanced
- Adult No Gi
- Self-Defense
Instructors at Gracie Barra Tucson
- Paulo Pinheiro – Head Coach, Blackbelt
- Al Guinee – Coach, Blackbelt
- Enrique Villegas – Coach, Blackbelt
Special Offers
Trial Class
Location and Contact
Address: 5700 E Broadway Blvd Tucson, AZ
Undisputed Tucson
With several locations and a wide range of martial arts available, Undisputed Tucson is a serious hub for BJJ, Boxing, and MMA in Tucson. Lead by second degree BJJ blackbelt David Reilly, Undisputed Tucson has been a local focal point for martial arts for over a decade. WIth over 6 blackbelts frequently coaching classes, top-notch instruction is a specialty.
Undisputed’s facility goes beyond BJJ mats and includes free weights, MMA cage-wall, a boxing ring, group fitness area, and striking equipment. No matter what type of martial arts training you are looking for, Undisputed has it. BJJ, MMA, Boxing, Muay Thai, and weight-training are all available via membership at Undisputed.
Classes offered at Undisputed Tucson
- Children’s BJJ
- Adult Gi
- Adult No Gi
- Adult BJJ Competition Class
- Women’s Only BJJ
- Boxing
- Muay Thai
- Group Fitness
- MMA
- Yoga
Instructors at Undisputed Tucson
- David Reilly – Head coach, Black Belt
- Pauk Anders-Stout – Coach, Black Belt
- Enrique Duranzo – Coach, Black Belt
Location and Contact
Address: 1240 N Stone Ave Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: 520-882-8788
Boxing Inc. Tucson
Boxing Inc. is a popular spot for University of Arizona students training martial arts. With several locations on both sides of town, Boxing Inc. offers BJJ classes in addition to striking, MMA, and CrossFit.
The BJJ program at Boxing Inc is led by BJJ black belt Roy Harris, who brings a range of experience from traditional martial arts such as Jeet Kune Do and Shooto to more western styles including boxing, kickboxing, and of course, BJJ.
He has trained under the legendary Royce, Rickson, and Royler Gracie names. Harris has trained martial artists of all levels in many disciplines and his fighters have competed in promotions including Bellator and the UFC.
Classes offered at Boxing Inc. Tucson
- Children’s BJJ
- Youth BJJ
- Adult BJJ
- Adult No Gi
- Muay Thai
- Boxing
- MMA
- CrossFit
Instructors at Boxing Inc. Tucson
- Roy Harris – Head coach, Black Belt
Location and Contact
Boxing Inc. Northside
Address: 6261 N Oracle Rd Tucson, AZ 85704
Phone: 520-989-3284
Boxing Inc. Eastside
Address: 7543 E Broadway Blvd Tucson, AZ, 85710
Phone: 520-829-7969
Boxing Inc. University
Address: 2524 N Campbell Ave Tucson, AZ, 85719
Phone: 520-795-3333
Kodenkan Martial Arts
Kodenkan Martial Arts Academy boasts a range of martial arts disciplines including BJJ, Muay Thai, Kajukenbo, Filipino Martial Arts, and Self-Defense.
Kodenkan Martial Arts is led by John McGraugh, who brings the experience of a number of traditional arts including Hiraido and Kodokan Judo. The BJJ program is led by Paul Anders-Stout, a 2nd degree blackbelt in BJJ. Paul has medalled at the black and brown belt level in multiple Master’s World’s tournaments and brings a wealth of competitive and self-defense oriented experience to the academy.
Kodenkan is one of the few schools that offers a combination of traditional arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making it a unique fixture in the Tucson BJJ scene.
Classes at Kodenkan Martial Arts Tucson
- Children’s BJJ
- Adult Gi BJJ
- Adult No Gi
- Kajukenbo
- Japanese Sword
- Self-Defense
- Filipino Martial Arts
- Kickboxing
- MMA
Instructors at Kodenkan Martial Arts Tucson
- John McGraigh – Shihan, Matsuno Ryu Goshinjitsu 6th degree blackbelt, Judo 1st Degree Blackbelt, Hiraido 5th Degree Black Belt
- Paul Anders-Stouns – 4th Degree Hiraido Black Belt, BJJ Black Belt
- Greg Tobias – Kajukenbo 7th Degree Black Belt
Location and Contact
Address: 3327 N. 1st Avenue Suite 110 Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-323-9424
Mako BJJ Tucson
Mako BJJ is a newer BJJ school located on the Eastern end of Tucson. Mako is led by BJJ Black Belts Ismat Abdulhamid, Mike MacGregor, Gerald Garland, and Philip Olsen. These coaches have been in the Tucson BJJ scene for a long time and bring a wealth of competitive and practical experience to their class and program.
Mako offers gi and no gi BJJ as well as hosting several weekly open mats. Children and adult BJJ classes are offered every day of the week.
Classes at Mako BJJ Tucson
- Children’s BJJ
- Adult Gi
- Adult No Gi
- Adult Competition
- Open Mat
Instructors at Mako BJJ Tucson
- Ismat Abdulhamad, BJJ Black Belt
- Micheal MacGregor, BJJ Black Belt
- Gerald Garland, BJJ Black Belt
- Phillip Olsen, BJJ Black Belt
Specials
Trial Classes
Open Mat
Location and Contact
Address: 7787 E Broadway Blvd Unit 7831 Tucson, AZ, 85710
Phone: 520-870-9431
That’s it for Tucson
The Tucson Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community is fast-growing. With the large number of great BJJ schools in Tucson, you are never far from the mats no matter what part of town you are in.
Tucson has BJJ schools that offer strictly BJJ training as well as schools with multiple arts offered. Pretty much any open mat in Tucson is guaranteed to have some good rolls. Find your nearest Tucson gym and get after it!
If you’re interested in Jiu Jitsu in other cities check out our Places Section