Fabio Gurgel Explains Why BJJ Beginners Should Learn Self-Defense Before Sport Jiu-Jitsu
May 06, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
For many people, their first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class can feel overwhelming. They walk into the academy with little understanding of the sport, hoping to learn how to defend themselves and gain...
Matt Serra Explains How to Spot A Good BJJ Academy
Apr 23, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
Matt Serra has a straightforward philosophy when it comes to choosing the right BJJ academy – especially for beginners. He explained: It’s a good question. When you walk in, get the energy of the...
Jocko Willink: “The Best Jiu-Jitsu Gym Is The Closest One”
Apr 09, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
Choosing a BJJ academy can often feel overwhelming. Many people focus on finding the perfect coach, the toughest room, or the best culture… But according to Jocko Willink, most are missing the...
13-Year-Old Hospitalized After Alleged “Gauntlet” Incident At BJJ Academy In Brazil
Apr 05, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
A serious incident at a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training session in Rivas do Rio Pardo (Brazil) has sparked a police investigation. According to reports, a 13-year-old boy was hospitalized with visible...
Fabio Gurgel Shares A Huge Mistake Unsuccessful BJJ Gym Owners Make
Feb 23, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
Keeping a BJJ gym running – and keeping it profitable – is no easy task. Which is why BJJ gym owners should try to learn from the mistakes made by others, as well as from the advice of those more...
A Black Belt Says These 3 Red Flags Should Make You Leave A BJJ Gym Immediately
Feb 10, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
For beginners, stepping into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy can feel intimidating – but according to coach and safety advocate Milton Campis, paying attention early may protect you from serious...
San Diego Gyms Offer Free Training To Athletes Leaving Atos Amid Ongoing Turmoil
Feb 01, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
The San Diego Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community has rallied together in a show of unity, as several prominent gyms have stepped in to support athletes leaving Atos Jiu-Jitsu – following what many...
BJJ Coach Kyvann Gonzalez On Being Late: “If You’re One Of Free Members, I Will Lock You Out”
Jan 29, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
Kyvann Gonzalez has no problem saying exactly how he feels about being late on the mats… And at his academy, Bodega BJJ, the rules change dramatically depending on whether a student is paying...
BJJ White Belt Shares How It Is To Train At Jozef Chen’s New Gym: “He Answers Every Question”
Jan 20, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
A detailed first-hand account from a new member has offered an unusually open look inside Jozef Chen’s recently opened gym in Shanghai… Describing both the structure of the academy and...
Chris Haueter To Close His Famous Dojo After 20+ Years: “I Won’t Pay To Go To Work”
Jan 20, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
After nearly 21 years of running Combat Base out of his Redondo Beach garage, legendary BJJ instructor Chris Haueter is preparing to close the doors on what many in the community consider a...
Tom DeBlass On Dealing With Gym Conflict: “Don’t Gossip”
Jan 16, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
Tom DeBlass has offered straightforward advice to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students dealing with conflict inside their academy… Emphasizing direct communication with school leadership rather than...
BJJ Coach In Dubai Says He Earns $4,000 Per Month After 20 Years In The Sport: “Doing Something For Myself”
Jan 13, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
Alexandre Altenburg Odebrecht, a black belt and head coach of Tao Jiu-Jitsu Academy, has offered a candid look into the financial reality of coaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Dubai. Odebrecht has been...
Gordon Ryan’s New Gym Sells $20,000 Lifetime Memberships: “Limited To 5 People”
Jan 08, 2026BJJEE1 Admin
Gordon Ryan’s Austin-based academy, Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, has announced a new offer that has polarised the BJJ community. The gym is selling just five lifetime memberships, each priced at $20,000,...
BJJ & Judo Black Belt Reveals The 5 Lessons About Running A Dojo That Nobody Talks About
Dec 31, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
Shintaro Higashi has spent his entire life inside martial arts schools. His father opened Kokushibutō Institute in New York City back in 1963, and today Higashi continues that legacy while also...
BJJ Black Belt Slams Traditional BJJ Warm-Ups: “A Lot Of People Will Be Really Upset”
Dec 02, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
AJ Discianni, a BJJ black belt under Brad Court and co-owner of New Asgard Martial Arts in Pennsylvania, has spent over a decade inside the sport – and he believes a lot of the teaching practices...
Tom DeBlass Calls Out Schools That Shame Students For Being Late: “Choose Your Battles”
Nov 24, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
Tom DeBlass is pushing back against what he sees as misplaced priorities in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies. After seeing a school publicly call out one of its students for arriving late to class,...
BJJ Academy Owner Jackson Galka: “Most BJJ Academies Are Dirty, They Don’t Have Proper Air Conditioning”
Sep 26, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
North Star Academy owner Jackson Galka has drawn attention to what he views as widespread problems in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms across the United States, calling out issues of cleanliness, space, and...
Andrew Wiltse Announces Return To BJJ With New Academy
Aug 29, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
Andrew Wiltse has confirmed that he will be making a return to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this time by opening Wiltse Brothers BJJ alongside his brother, Bird Wiltse! The move marks a major turning point...
Matt Serra Explains Why He Regularly Kicks Students Out Of His Gym
Aug 17, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
UFC Hall of Famer and former welterweight champion Matt Serra is known for his toughness inside the cage, but that same no-nonsense attitude also extends to how he runs his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
Ryan Hall Explains The Critical Difference Between A Coach And An Instructor
Aug 13, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
Ryan Hall has offered a perspective on a distinction that many martial arts students overlook: the difference between a coach and an instructor. According to Hall, understanding this gap is vital for...
Former FBI Agent Explains How Extremist Groups Recruit Members In BJJ & Other Martial Arts Gyms
Aug 13, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
Former FBI special agent Mike German, who spent 16 years in undercover operations, has shed light on how some organized extremist groups exploit martial arts spaces for recruitment. Now a fellow at...
Ffion Davies Named Head Coach Of A Luxury, £230 Per Month BJJ Academy
Jul 14, 2025BJJEE1 Admin
World champion grappler Ffion Davies is taking on a new role this summer as the head coach of ARMA BJJ, a luxury Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy opening August 1st in London. Known as the most...
