I cannot begin to say how incredible this gym is. I dropped in as a blue belt from NJ to take a…read moreprivate class with Professor Carlos and wow! I didn't know what to expect given that I had the opportunity to train with a coral belt, and was nervous about being judged or not measuring up to established expectations. I was welcomed to his gym as though I had been training there for years. I never once felt judged, criticized, or anything negative that I may have received from other gyms around the country. Professor Carlos not only helped me to fine-tune the techniques that I currently have under my belt (pun intended), but also taught me better ways to execute some of the escapes and sweeps that I already had learned. His style is very technical driven so leave your strength at home and keep an open mind that being physically strong will only take you so far in his class. I truly cannot wait to come back and train here when I visit South Florida. If you have an opportunity to train with Professor Carlos DO IT!! **HINT** **HINT** Being humble will take you far, and will open a world of knowledge and opportunity from one of the best technical fighters in this country. Respect goes a long way and respect goes both directions.

I have been training here for over 7 years. This is the best jiu jitsu gym in South Florida. It has…read morea bigger mat space then most schools I have visited. It's very clean. Master Carlos Rollyson is very knowledgeable. He is a 7th degree coral belt. His wife, Megan is a brown belt and an instructor. They are both very attentive to all of their students. I am a Worlds Master Champion, Miami Open Champion, Bronze at No Gi Worlds etc..... This was only possible because of Master Rollyson and all of my teammates. There is even a women's class four days a week! There's a competition class. There are early morning classes! This is the place to train!

The school has been voted best martial art school for 10 years straight. The family friendly…read moreatmosphere is there and quality of service is top notch. You have world class champion instructors and coaches. The ability to train 7 days a week is possible with the schedule. Classes are separate for beginners and advanced students.

Updated review: Typically people only leave initial…read morereviews. I've decided to leave an "extended stay" review, as I feel some users would like to see if the quality is still there for the reviewer. This is my 3rd year at START, and it only gets better with time. Just yesterday, I attended a "black belt" advanced class (which is open to higher belt holders), and the mats were filled with high level bjj practitioners. It always is, but yesterday was special in my mind. On one end, I had my professors, who are in a class by themselves, along with one of the best brown belt competitors in the world, and everything in between. That's the thing, BJJ is like a rubix cube, that you never really finish solving. I watched one of my professors, experiment with a movement he wanted to figure out. How many people at such a high level, allow others into their world, and figure things out. That kind of humility is commendable, and just reinforces the kind of people I want to be around, and I want my kids learning from. This is just a sample size of the kind of vibe at the school, but I welcome people who have young kids (as my oldest is enrolled, and the younger wants to begin as well), or folks who have walked away from the mat..to come..you won't be disappointed.

I wish a NEGATIVE rating was available. Our daughter was a student at this academy for 2 years and…read more9 months. When she started the gym was one of the best in the country for youth training. That did not last long as the focus quickly changed from a true competition gym to more of a cash cow and day care. This gym is the SPIRIT AIRLINES of Jiu Jitsu gyms. Pay for the gear they sell at the gym because you can't wear anything else, pay for belt promotions at $100 a promotion per child, $150 "in-house" tournaments which is only disclosed two weeks prior to the first scheduled tournament, $10 admission per person to watch your child compete at "in-house" tournament, no medals just a cheap red shirt promoting the gym. Training and competition class, "intermediate" to say the least and is an additional $150 a month on top of the $250 for a regular membership - then add privates ranging from $100 to over $200 an hour. Locker room and coaches reek of marijuana. There is no parking, you half to cross a major street at rush hour with your children and again at night after class. You will be told by Vagner that the only way your child can progress and win is via competing and privates. However, Vagner himself does not show up for competitions whether local or not, whether to watch or coach. Jasmine will travel if you buy her a plane ticket and put her up in a hotel and drive her to and from the event with no problem. If you are lucky you will have 1 coach for all the kids and that is if he is not coaching his son at the time. No questioning the training or you will be black listed - isn't YOUR MONEY PAYING FOR A SERVICE?! Coach Adrian will harass your wife via text message stating " to put you on a leash or it won't end well." No cross training or you will be given an ultimatum via text to pick a gym, because they claim to know what's best for YOUR child. Yet, they don't fix the mistakes unless you pay for privates. The staff and owners will claim you are family, and that may be true until the money stops flowing, or you don't do as you're told. Vagner, Jasmine and Adrian will even come over to your house to apologize for an ultimatum given then look your child in the face, apologize to them, claim to love them, only to stab them in the back weeks later when Adrian is being sneaky and getting caught by their student holding privates for free while others pay hundreds and when that 3rd person doesn't show up your child won't be included again. But that behavior is acceptable because the Coach's son has a super fight coming up. Know your child's worth and be careful; it is not what it appears to be from the outside. There are many better options for competitive jiu jitsu in Broward and Dade County than VRMA. If you are looking for EXPENSIVE, intermediate training for your children then this is the place for you.

This place knows their stuff. If you get an opportunity to train with Kade I highly suggest it!read more

If you want to learn real Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for sport and self defense this is the place for it…read more Professor Cristano is very knowledgeable and patience and will push you to improve every time you step on the mat

From the owner: Gracie Barra offers world-class level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for individuals, families,…read moreand anyone looking to better their lives. Our school has become a reference for physical education, character development, self-defense, and world class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. Our friendly, clean, and progress-oriented environment allows students to have a challenging, inspirational, and warm learning and training experience that makes them feel like coming back. It doesn't matter if you want to learn self-defense, lose weight, relieve stress, complement the education of your kids, or further develop your fighting skills -- we are certain you will find us to be an exciting and challenging place that will allow you to achieve your goals!

I have no complaints about the 2 instructors, they are patient and address the children there…read moreappropriately, HOWEVER, the woman who works the front desk is horribly rude, unprofessional, and abrasive. I have had several encounters with her including a time where she wanted to berate me and my child about a missed payment (unbeknownst to me) with other people in attendance. So sorry I had to pull my child from this location. She needs to learn social skills and tact!

I'm so thankful for this local business and the positive impact American Top Team has had on your…read moreson. It's great that he has experienced a boost in confidence and physical strength. The fact that the instructor, TJ, treats the kids like family and is kind speaks volumes about the supportive environment at the gym. If you are looking for jiu jitsu for your child, I highly recommend them. It's a fantastic place for personal development and martial arts training. #ThankYouThursday

Huge and very clean, equipped that you can use for what you need.very welcoming. Love this place…read moreUFC fit.

UFC is fairly new (about 5 years?) approximately built around 2021 but this building has so many…read moreissues. When it rains the workout room floods on wooden floor and by weight area. There always seems to be something broken in UFC. Had I known all these issues before joining I would have gone elsewhere.

Senseis Franklin and Brandon facilitate an amazing BJJ program. As a former MMA…read moreJudoka/Wrestler/BJJ- I would highly recommend this program. my 5 year old son is benefitting greatly from this dojo

It's a great place for the kids to learn with really good, experienced and caring teachers! It's so…read moremuch fun for the children and they get to use lots of energy during the class!!! Highly recommend this school

We are so happy we have found Marcus Aurelio Jiu Jitsu Academy. We just started over a month ago…read morebut feel already at home here. Great atmosphere and great trainers. Our kids/ teenager absolutely love it and I love watching them grow. Highly recommended.

Witnessed marc aurelio aggressively chastise & belittle a fellow parent during their in house…read morecompetition, A good humble Jewish man with 2 kids enrolled. marcus aurelio assaulted him in front of his 2 children, seemed like a roid rage incident. Not a safe environment, Rillon Gracie Academy, Gracie Barra, Valente Bros school are much better & safer environment for kids & adults. There are legal docs supporting multiple assault claims with names.