11 Best MMA Gyms in Los Angeles | Easily Explained
Finding a legitimate instructor can be a massive headache for those who want to train martial arts. Even worse, it can be a time consuming process that may end in frustration.
We understand, we've been in the same shoes.
To fix this problem, we've created a list of the best martial arts schools in Los Angeles.
Table of Contents
- Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Fitness Northridge
- Dynamix MMA
- Fight Science MMA
- Uprise MMA
- Rise Athletes
- Downtown Fighting Club
- The Yard Muay Thai
- PKG Martial Arts Academy
- Sparta Academy
- 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu
- Renzo Gracie Los Angeles
1. Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Fitness Northridge
Overall
Gracie Barra Northridge has been around since 2011, under the instruction of Romolu Barral, one of the most successful and knowledgeable instructors in the world.
Professor Romulo Barral is a
- 3rd Degree Black Belt
- ADCC champion
- 5x world champion at the black belt level (2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014),
- No-Gi black belt world champion (2009)
This gym has a competitive family atmosphere that brings in students from all over the world.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Kids
- Fundamentals
- Advanced
- Black Belt
- No Gi
- Self Defense
Unique Features
Taught by a renowned multi world champion in Romolu Barral.
2. Dynamix MMA
Overall
Dynamix MMA was founded in 2010 by Antoni Hardonk and Henry Akins.
Hardonk began training in kickboxing in 1990 in his native country the Netherlands at the Vos gym in Amsterdam.
Antoni developed under the watchful eye of legendary trainer Johan Vos and world champion training partners Ivan Hippolyte, Ernesto Hoost and Jerrel Venetiaan.
This gym offers a larger variety of programs in the area.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Gi Jiu Jitsu
- No Gi Jiu Jitsu
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- Muay Thai
- Wrestling
- Personal Training
- Kids MMA
Unique Features
Dynamix has 2 locations, Santa Monica Blvd and Dynamix A4 and on Sepulveda Blvd.
3. Fight Science MMA
Overall
Fight Science MMA is one of the longest tenured gyms in the region, having opened in 2003.
Ian Harris began teaching his hybrid, martial arts compiled from years of training Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Jeet Kune Do, Kenpo, Wing Chun and many other martial arts as a realistic self-defense class out of a karate school in Culver City, CA
Classes/Programs Offered
- MMA Striking
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Fit-Cardio Classes
- Kids Classes
- MMA Team Training
Unique Features
In the beginning, the instructor was able to gather his knowledge for a variety of martial arts and practice them individually, as MMA was not yet legalized in California.
4. Uprise MMA
Overall
UPRISE MMA opened in 2008 with the goal of high quality instruction in a fun and safe environment.
The owner Pete Panos has a variety of experience under his belt including:
- Having competed overseas and statewide in both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
-
American Boxing under Trainer Mick Waran
-
Long Fist under Sifu Orhun Kirimetci
-
Hung Gar and Chinese Boxing under Sifu Buck Sam Kong
-
Muay Thai under Kru Nokweed and Sensei Mark Parra
-
Jiu Jitsu instruction under Gustavo Gasperin since 2009
Classes/Programs Offered
- MMA Youth
- MMA Muay Thai
- Gi Jiu Jitsu
- No Gi JIu Jitsu
- Strength and Conditioning
- Private Lessons
Unique Features
They also offer memberships strictly for the gym, where no classes are included.
5. Rise Athletics LA
Overall
Rise Athletics in LA is one of the largest gyms in the area, that includes not only a mat area but a weight area and even showers and lockers.
The instructor "Al" has an extensive background in martial arts, holding a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and over 15 years of experience in BJJ.
Al is a Gracie Survival Tactics II certified instructor as well.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Boxing
- High Intensity Interval Training
- Kickboxing
- Wrestling
- No Gi Jiu Jitsu
- Gi Jiu Jitsu
Unique Features
They have many instructors who are former collegiate athletes at other sports.
6. Downtown Fighting Club
Overall
Downtown Fighting Club is not interested in just teaching Mixed Martial Arts, as all certified instructors remains interested in the complete personal development of each student, individual attention is a feature of each and every class, allowing all students to progress quickly and confidently toward their personal goals.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Kickboxing
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Muay Thai
- Boxing
- MMA
Unique Features
Although the name sets a certain idea in your head, Downtown Fighting Club is very committed to the personal goals of their students, and accomplishing them.
7. The Yard Muay Thai
Overall
The Yard Muay Thai is a very competition-centric gym, focusing on the continuous development of all of their students.
Many of their students are consistently training to compete in both amateur and professional bouts.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Muay Thai
- Boxing
- Clinch
- Cardio & Technique
Unique Features
UFC Fighter Daniel Rodriguez has trained here for some time, who has racked up over 16 wins in his career with single digit losses.
8. PKG Martial Arts Academy
Overall
The PKG Academy was opened in 2007 by Tahi Burns a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt.
The gym size needed to increase in order to keep up with their amount of students, and due to that they opened this location.
This gym is a very team-oriented environment, as each and every student training here at PKG is part of a team that works hard to help and motivate each other to be the best they can be.
Through this united goal we continually strive to develop PKG further by loving our teammates who train here and our facility… the place where we make this happen.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Kids Martial Arts
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Muay Thai Kickboxing
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Boxing
- Private Training
Unique Features
They offer free parking, and are located next to chain restaurants for a delicious meal after training.
9. Sparta Academy
Overall
Sparta Academy features one of the largest variety of programs offered in the area, they even train hand to hand combat, which is rare for martial arts schools.
The personal trainers and class instructors at Sparta Academy in Los Angeles are an elite team of fitness experts who are very good at obtaining maximum results for their clients.
They are very goal focused for all of their students in terms of results, and fitness.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Krav Maga
- Muay Thai
- Kickboxing
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Hand to Hand Combat
- Cross Training
- MMA
- Kids
- Fitness
- Bootcamp
Unique Features
Their curriculum is massive, and they have a lot of trainers and instructors to support it.
10. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu
Overall
The 10th Planet Martial arts franchise was created by Eddie Bravo, as they are renowned for their No Gi training, as well as being extremely flexible to pull of moves like the rubber guard.
Their instructor for this location is Scott Epstein who is one of the only two second degree Blackbelts in 10th planet Jiu Jitsu under Eddie Bravo Former, Scott Epstein is the founder of the world famous 10th Planet West Los Angeles.
Classes/Programs Offered
- No Gi Adult Jiu Jitsu
- Kids No Gi Jiu Jitsu
- Muay Thai
Unique Features
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu gyms are notorious for working on flexibility.
11. Renzo Gracie Los Angeles
Overall
Renzo Gracie LA is spearheaded by Jamie Mendez III, who started training at 5 Star Martial Arts, now Renzo Gracie Los Angeles in late 2011 and received his black belt from Professor Shawn Williams in 2018.
Jaime also has a black pra-jiad in Muay Thai under Kru John Spezzano. He is a 7 time IBJJF Masters World Champion and 2 time Silver medalist. Mendez also has experience in Aikido, Karate and Boxing.
Classes/Programs Offered
- Kids Jiu Jitsu
- Teen Jiu Jitsu
- Teen Martial Arts
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Muay Thai
- Judo
- Yoga
Unique Features
It's safe to say that this gym has one of the most experienced instructors in the area, with a large variety of curriculum.