This is a great place to train: high-quality instruction and a nice variety of classes (gi and no…read moregi jiu-jitsu are the staples, but there are wrestling, judo, and self-defense classes, too, as well as strength and conditioning, weightlifting, and yoga). There are actually two mats in use in the evenings to accommodate different skill levels. Best of all, there's a really good vibe-people are friendly and really want to help each other learn. I've been mostly taking the morning classes with Jonathan Van Buren, who is an amazing grappler and winner of Fight To Win's 2017 Submission of the Year award for a sick barataplata. He's an incredibly accomplished competitor at a very high level; his matches on FloGrappling or a quick Google search will lead you right to videos of some of his matches so you can see for yourself. As with any skill or sport, sometimes some of the best practitioners aren't always the best instructors. JVB manages to excel at both. I am consistently impressed by the level of detail in his instruction as well as his ability to pinpoint specific areas for improvement with scalpel-like precision. I'm not the most consistent BJJ practitioner and have been known to take extensive time off when life, work, or injuries get in the way. But JVB is always incredibly warm and welcoming, and willing to spend as much time with a brand new student struggling with a basic warmup as he is working with high-level competitors on sharpening their skills. I'm really happy to be able to learn from him and to be part of this team.

We appreciate the tactful and efficient coaching styles. Their focus on precise technique and…read morethoughtful guidance makes learning both challenging and enjoyable. Highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their skills in a supportive environment.

Wonderful community, fantastic instructors! Been going here for 2 years and our whole family loves…read moreit.

What a great place to train and I'm so glad to start my BJJ journey here! One day I was driving…read moredown Baseline and that's when I saw the White 2 Black sign. I said to myself "why not try this place out since it's relatively new". Boy, am I glad I took that leap of faith. Professor Italo and Professor Sara are amazing teachers. Both have many years of experience and knowledge in Brazilian jiu jitsu. They bring such great energy in class and so does the other students!

We LOVE this school! My seven year old has ADHD and experiencing some issues at school. We thought…read moreexploring Jiu Jitsu would teach him respect, discipline, and determination. Professor Luke is amazing with the kids. He makes them feel independent and empowered! My son is thriving in school and loves Jiu Jitsu. He shares his moves with me at home and I often have to tap out. He's improved so much both academically and in sparring!

Gracie Barra Chandler is simply world-class. The quality of the jiu jitsu instruction is unmatched,…read moreand every single professor and coach serves as a phenomenal example for my kids--both on and off the mats. My wife, four of our five kids, and I all train here (our youngest is only two, but she'll be on the mats soon enough!). Professor Piu has built something truly special: a high-performance, positive, and family-friendly culture that turns hard training into a joy. He's transformed what started as a small Arizona gym into one of the top jiu jitsu academies in the country. If you're looking for elite-level training, role model coaches, and a place where the whole family can thrive, this is the place.

Just wanted to share my wonderful experience at Soul Fighters Headquarters My 5 year old son was…read moreacting out at school and home so we signed him up for classes to try a create positive experience and something to look forward to after school. My son was not easy to work with in the beginning but the instructors showed patience, compassion and discipline which is exactly what he needed. I'm so proud to report that he has been wonderful at home and his school said he's excelling and no longer having any behavioral issues. He looks forward to going to class everyday! Thanks Soul Fighters Headquarters! Without knowing it, you've made a big impact.

The facility is top notch. Soul fighters headquarters is a welcoming environment that offers…read moreeveryone the chance to better themselves, No matter your athletic ability or previous experience. Very good camaraderie and I've made really good friends there. The instructors are patient and always willing to spend extra time if there's any need for clarification., Whether you're a beginner or a pro, soul fighters has something to offer everyone. From the first day I came to get information it felt like home.

At 63 years old (just hit 64- at the time of this review) and powering through the ups and downs of…read moreCerebral Ataxia- shrinkage of the brain stem, causing balance issues- I have learned to persevere through virtually any challenge that comes my way. (Carlson Gracie) Jiu Jitsu has been my strength and inspiration for many years now. It's what keeps me happy, reasonably healthy, humble and grounded.

Here you'll find competition training and a family atmosphere combined. Who could ask for a better…read moreoutcome? My kids and husband have been training here for six years. We love it. The coaches are invested in each individual person's well-being. This is competition type training, though. Not a daycare. Not a place to get New belt every month and go home with a trophy. It's for serious kids and adults only. When you join this team, you also join the family.

I've been going here for 2 years. Great group of people to roll with. The instructors really care…read moreabout your progression and are always willing to help.

The instructors are well trained, patient, provide a fun environment, all in a disciplined…read moreenvironment. Your family will get every penny worth of the cost. We couldn't be happier with it!

Training at Gustavo Dantas BJJ has been one of the most defining experiences of my competitive and…read morepersonal development. This academy is not just a place to train it's a place where athletes are forged. Every competition I've entered, every win I've earned, and every lesson learned in loss has been shaped by the time, sweat, and intention poured into me by the coaching staff. Gustavo Dantas sets the standard. His attention to detail, pressure-tested techniques, and ability to see what an athlete needs before they see it themselves is elite. His leadership creates a culture where excellence is expected, not hoped for. Pro. Paul, Josh, Teague, and Jeff have each played a critical role in refining my game. From competition strategy, positional awareness, pressure management, and mental composure they consistently invested real time and energy into my growth. That level of coaching is rare. What separates this academy is that they don't just teach techniques they elevate competitors. They sharpen you, correct you, push you, and hold you to a higher standard because they genuinely care about your progress. I'm grateful for every round, every correction, every hard conversation, and every moment they chose to invest in me. The results show up on the mats, in competition, and in confidence. If you're serious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu whether as a competitor or someone seeking mastery this is the place. Respect. Gratitude. Loyalty.

I had one of the best experiences here! I came in not knowing a single thing about jiu jitsu and…read moreleft not only learning a ton of self defense skills but getting to meet some very cool and supportive people! I am a very anxious person but gdbjj made me feel very welcome and at ease and I couldn't have chosen a better place to train. I highly recommend taking classes here for people of all ages!

I just recently moved to Arizona, and I wanted to find a gym that would be an absolute perfect fit…read morefor me and my goals... and I have to say Jay's gym has hit every nail on the head. Honestly, overall I was looking for a fun & friendly environment where I can get state of the art instruction and help me grow both as an athlete and as someone who loves the sport. Jay's gym has it all, and I guarantee you this place will be a perfect fit for you whether you are a hobbyist or an elite competitor looking for some tough rolls, or if you are looking for a family friendly environment to train for you & your loved ones. Absolutely 100% recommend this place, and thank you Jay Pages for being so welcoming and accommodating! P.S. The facility is AWESOME!!!

If there was a choice to give this place more than 5 stars I would place it to the max! I highly…read morerecommend training here. The atmosphere gives more of a family feel than just a business feel. Jay, the team, and the rest of the coaches treat you as if you are blood related. It's always a good vibe here and so much more to learn as well as many opportunities this gym has to offer from Belt advancements to sponsorships to competitions and more! Not only does this place give a family feel to the environment, but the people you train with are awesome as well! If you are new, you can join the beginners class. But even if you want more of a challenge and are new, you will be taught in hard sparring as well. I've made some friends in this school as well. If y'all want to learn the martial arts as well as grow within this community, this is definitely the place to go to.

Update: it's been about 2 years and I'm still loving the staff and community of practitioners that…read moretrain here. There are often special guests that come to enlighten us. Thank you QMAC for making a believer out of me. This place is perfect if you're looking to try out jujitsu. I can't speak for the other arts taught there, but I can say one look at some of the long bows makes me want to know more! Micheal and his staff are accommodating, patient and well versed in their craft. The coolest thing about this spot is if you are interested in jujitsu, you can come try before you commit to anything. But be warned "it's super addictive" I love this martial art & have been fascinated by it for some time now, it's so great to have a place to go and train with patient guys and gals who are of similar mind sets.

Great family environment and kids loved it first trip in and ongoing... they do a great job here!read more

My wife and I decided last October 2025 to take a free first class at EVKM for a date night. I…read morefirst spoke to Keith the owner on the phone who was friendly and encouraging. I had some concerns mand explained I might not be able physically do the class. Im not 20 years old anymore and am short one wash board stomach lol. I thought I might be to old ( in my mind Im 30 :), but my body is 54. Keith said to come in and give it a shot its free to try it. He also said to come and do what you can there is no failure to try. My wife and I took an introductory class on a Friday evening. Everyone was very nice from the minute we arrived, with no pressure and no "Im better than you attitude" . Everyone of all ages was smiling, friendly and encouraging. The facility is second to none with all the cool pads and mats and work out punching bags. It's a large space with good lighting and is well taken care of, bathrooms were clean as well. It is obvious from the moment you enter the building that they take pride in thier space as much as thier philosophy and practices. We got right in to to our 50 minute class starting with the owner himself, Keith (a black belt), showing us a basic fight stance. Then a female instuctor named Amy took over with a basic warmup consisting of jumping jacks, jogging around the padded mat and stretches etc. She then taught us to punch correctly and we learned how to break out of a choke hold. I was amazed at what you can learn in 1 hour with a quality well spoken instructors that actually cares if you "get it" or not. My wife also liked the class. After the class ended we had a post meeting with Keith where he gave us the run down on options for memberships and pricing. It all seemed fair for what you get and access to so much skilled training. I've owned my own small business for 27 years so I can appreciate fair, but still needing to make a profit pricing to keep a good business going strong. If its to cheap the business won't last and if its to expensive no one will pay the high price. After a couple days I called Keith and signed up on a limited basis at first because I honestly didn't know if this was something I could commit to with my work schedule and responsibilities for running my own business. My wife liked the class and hoped to do more, but has some serious neck and ankle issues from past injuries and felt after thinking about it more that she would be better off to do something more geared toward her physical restrictions. However she whole heartedly encouraged me to continue to go if I liked it and so I did! I started with one class a week at first and then over the course of a few months realized what a physical and mental benefit Krav Maga was adding to to my life. I made time in my life for the training and now 5 months in I'm going 3 to 4 times a week and have added some running and home workouts as well. I have learned a lot and excited to learn more, there is years and years worth to material to learn so it is always a challenge every class. I also bought a Krav Maga book recommended by one of the instructors and have used it to review after class what we learned and practice on my own. I found that doing some of the techniques in my pool is great practice and the water gives resistance to the moves and forces you to go slow and be more precise...and its relaxing. The long and short of it is East Valley Krav Maga Self Defense and Fitness in Tempe is worth every penny and I would say if you are looking for something to get fit other than going to a sweaty gym with everyone parading around like peacocks this might be just the fit you are looking for. It's never to late or to early to make positive life changes and take care of the most important thing in your life ...YOU! Once you help yourself you can then help others in many ways from a place of both mental and physical strength!

This place is awesome. I was doing kickboxing and Krav Maga before covid hit and was 40 years old…read moreand I'm the best shape of my life. canceling was easy so I'm not sure what that review is about. if you want a great workout, this is the spot. keep in mind...I used to be 260 pounds and was 40 when I joined EVKM.