I've been training at this location since 2014. Gumby created a great first impression of him and…read morethe school culture! There's 4 locations, Downtown San Jose, Eastside San Jose, Los Gatos, and Campbell.

4 and half years ago I had no idea what I was getting into, but I am so glad that I did try it…read more Gumby and his TeAm of black belts do an excellent job in teaching high level BJJ to anyone. Just keep showing up! It's not easy, but its fun and there are a ton of great people at every location!!! BJJ will teach you things on and off the mat for the better version of yourself. The learning(and the fun) never stops.

I've been training here for over 1-year and it's an overall outstanding BJJ gym! Thanks to coach…read moreTyler and Don, who have been very welcoming and patient (even when I'm running late into classes!) Highly recommend anyone looking to try it out or serious competitors looking to up their game. Oss.

Vitor is an exceptional teacher with such a mastery of knowledge of jiu-jitsu. Each morning, Vitor…read moregifts us with such meticulous jiu-jitsu details. He watches us and advises us so patiently. Vitor skillfully arranges training partners to challenge the competitors and protect those with injuries so that everybody can work hard, improve their jiu-jitsu, and learn. Caio invests so much time and energy into making precise videos for our learning. I really appreciate how much he cares about our jiu-jitsu. The academy is really the cleanest, nicest academy I've ever trained in. Caio even put ergonomic chairs and desks for us to study and places for families to sit. He cares about the environment very much. He even had the team create a wall after a truck drove into the academy, just to make sure that nobody missed training, which is so important for our mental and physical health. Is your gi still wet from training the day before? Did your best floofy buddy submit your gi? Don't worry -- there are loaner gis for you to borrow. Just get to the academy and train.

I've been training with Coach Jannsen for a while now, and what stands out most is how meticulous…read morehe is. He's constantly correcting small things, like snapping a hook straight back to your face instead of letting it swing wide, or holding your position after a combo instead of giving back the ground you just earned. That level of detail isn't him going through the motions, it's proof he actually cares whether you improve. The conditioning rounds are brutal but they've built real endurance and kept my technique from falling apart when I'm tired. Even when I train at other gyms or take a random fitness class, his corrections are still running in the back of my mind. More than one trainer elsewhere has asked why my footwork is so careful and my defense so tight. That's Jannsen's training showing up when I'm not even at his gym. I've worked with him for years now, even outside of fight training he's a good friend and is always a great guy to have around.

I wanted to add to this review. I still stand by my 5 star rating. I typically do the full contact…read morestand up classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. We are now also learning take down techniques in the stand up classes. We have been getting an influx of new folks and now "regulars" into the classes. The vibe is great and there is always somebody you can pair up with. There are a lot of fun games too when we do technique sparring. The coaching staff is outstanding !

I got into martial arts in 2023. Overweight, insecure, and misdirected. I was looking for a way to…read moreget in shape and continue grappling sports but what I came across went way beyond fitness. Wildcat offers MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, and BJJ, and the level of coaching is elite. However, what truly separates Wildcat from other gyms (at least in my opinion) is the people. It's not just that the coaches are high level fighters and technicians that are honest people who care about your growth - everyone here is like family. Coach Alex in particular has had a huge impact on me. His guidance helped me build discipline, confidence and direction. As well as how to apply those lessons to life. He pushes you when you need it, not want it. He'll support you if you're struggling, and genuinely wants the best for you. Coach Murph has always looked out for me, helping me fine tune my technique and pushing me to level up. Having Coach Murph in your corner makes all the difference. I've been in martial arts 3 years and have tried a few places before finding my home with Alex and Wildcat. I can say with confidence that you want to be here - whether you're brand new, experienced, or trying to compete, everyone is treated with respect and encouraged to grow at their own pace. If youre seeking somewhere to train, improve yourself, and be surrounded by positive, driven people. You've found it. Joining Wildcat was the best decision I've ever made.

Wildcat Boxing Gym has truly become my second home. From the moment you walk in, the environment is…read morewelcoming, and you can feel the passion and energy right away. Coach Alex, Murph, and V are amazing--passionate, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. They take the time to teach you properly while pushing you to improve every session, no matter your experience level. The community is supportive and motivating, making it more than just a workout--it's a place to grow, build confidence, and learn real skills. Highly recommend Wildcat Boxing Gym.

Long review here with much to say as a beginner coming off the couch…read more Heard of this gym through my work company's health partner WellHub but this gym no longer takes WellHub members. Still decided to try their 2 week trial program. Just finished my 2 week adult muay trial program with a Sifu Rey, the 2 week program was $39 and comes with additional benefits (reduced initiation fee & free gloves) IF you sign up for the membership afterwards. Not sure how long this promotion runs. Class sizes vary with smaller afternoon classes (3-5 students) and larger evening classes (10-16 students) Class structure is consistent with warm ups, footwork, heavy bags, drills, and a burn out at the end with shadow boxing incorporated somewhere. I like how coach is also pretty old school and will call me and others out on our BS so you can't let your feelings get hurt and keep working. I had a great workout every class and each class is very fresh with new drills and footwork added onto the previous day's lesson. The focus style of the class is muay mat which is a heavy boxing and low kick style but coach also touches on other styles too. I appreciated the way coach built on what we learned from previous classes into that day's lesson such as adding yesterday's footwork or drills into the next day's combos. After each week I really felt a lot stronger and more confident in the basics. I highly recommend attending as many consecutive classes as you can. I went 5 days/week skipping sparring friday and sunday private lessons. I heard there is sparring on Fridays with the neighboring muay thai gyms (they share the entire complex) which is pretty cool. The other students are also great, some students have been training with coach for years and there were also a handful of new students like me doing the trial. It's great energy and sportsmanship all around. Overall, it's a great learning experience for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. Highly recommended!

Honestly just over the phone call the way they conduct their business especially for children I…read morewould not not let my children step foot in their gym they do not give you a set price before you get there and they talk very disrespectful they completely have an untrustworthy conversation before you even get to the next step.

I came in with my son and his friend to scope out the studio and unfortunately left dissappointed…read more We were met with blank stares by the two instructors that were present. I asked about the program and they didn't have any helpful context to share about it but they told us to just stay and watch. In addition to the disappointment we experienced from the staff, the studio itself was disgustingly dirty. We switched seats because we noticed a layer of grime on the several seats and left early when we saw that it was a dirty studio throughout. I have already visited a few studios during my search and this is one I wouldn't recommend.

Avoid Batata Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu…read more My son (almost 12) has trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu for 4.5 years. We visited simply to evaluate whether this gym would be a good fit. Within minutes, it was clear the kids class was made up almost entirely of much younger, much smaller beginners. That's not a criticism--it's just not an appropriate training environment for an older, experienced kid who needs the right partners to develop safely. I asked if there were other classes or days with a different mix. I was told this was essentially it. So I politely said it wasn't the right fit and thanked them for their time. That should have been the end of the interaction. Instead, Mr. Batata himself--not just a coach, but the owner--became immediately confrontational in tone, stepped into my personal space, and began making assumptions about why we were considering switching gyms, as if we were doing something wrong by even looking. He then launched into how this "isn't just a business," implying I should somehow structure my life around loyalty to a gym--despite the fact that we were there for the first time and simply trying to make the best decision for my son. It was unreasonable and completely out of line. I calmly explained that we take this very seriously and that changing gyms is a big decision. That didn't matter--he dismissed it and continued with an aggressive, condescending tone. As I was leaving with my son, he kept talking at me, and another instructor joined in. At that point, it crossed from uncomfortable into completely unprofessional. No parent should have to walk their child out of a business while being talked at for simply saying "this isn't the right fit." The entire interaction left both me and my son feeling unsettled and, honestly, a bit icky. That's not something I've ever experienced walking into a jiu-jitsu academy before. This wasn't a misunderstanding. This was the owner reacting poorly to a polite "no," and doing so in front of a child. If this is the tone set at the top, it raises serious concerns about the culture and judgment being modeled in that gym. We walked in open-minded. We walked out uncomfortable. There are plenty of gyms that know how to treat people with basic respect. This is not one of them. Avoid

Wish I had found this place sooner! I have trained ring style muay thai before I came here... and…read morehonestly this is authentic and original as you can get. It's like what a real old school gym is like - no classes... you walk in and warm up and the Kru and Sr. Instructors come up to you and provide you with one on one instruction. Honestly, if your goal focus is to compete then this is NOT the gym for you - not saying there is anything wrong with training to compete - but this gym isn't for that! But if you want to sharpen your ring technique - in addition to going to where ever it is that you train now - then by all means come here and learn this style. But like i said... if your sole purpose for training is to compete, Muay Thai Academy is not the gym that will be out there trying to get to fights. Here we focus more on techniques that are more applicable to real life, self-defense, protection, law enforcement, etc - but with the Muay Thai twist to it. So what I am saying is.... Muay Thai Academy is very welcoming with a team of experienced instructors that you won't find anywhere else. I wanted a place that kept the authenticity and integrity of Muay Thai and I found it here.

With so many McDojos and ridiculous UFC-wannabe gyms in the South Bay, the Muay Thai Academy truly…read moreis something different. There is a reason people have come from around the globe to seek instruction here -- it's just that unique. While 'Muay Thai' is in the name of the school, it is merely the foundation of the principle art taught here: Close Quarters Combat. Close Quarters Combat is a combination of several martial arts (old style Muay Thai known as Muay Chao Chur, the military style known as Ledrit, as well as Boar Bando and Kalaripayat, a Burmese and Indian Combat Art) and is designed for street applications: law enforcement, VIP Protection, multiple opponent, military, and self defense. They can teach "ring style" as well, but sport/competition is less of a focus here. In addition to hand-to-hand combat, bladed and stick weapons training are also available. Instruction takes place in a free-form, semi-private format. With the exception of a conditioning class here and there, there isn't a structured class setting like you'll find at other gyms. The Academy is open from 5pm to 9:30, M-Th and late Saturday morning/afternoon, and you can go in any time during those hours and train for as long as you'd like or can handle. Instructors and Junior Instructors walk the floor, answer questions, setup drills, and help you work through techniques on an individual basis, then let you try them out on your own or with others. The Instructors are all top notch, have been working together for years, yet still have varied backgrounds and unique methods of teaching. Collectively, the knowledge they can impart is unmatched in any martial arts school in the area. I've trained here for the last several years off and on (my hectic work/travel schedule and frequent basketball-related injuries keep me from going as regularly as I'd like) and can't recommend it enough if you're a self-motivated, hard-working individual looking for unique, personalized martial arts training with street-applicable, self-defense focus from some of the most experienced combat technicians around. It is a real privilege to live in the same vicinity as this school.

There seem to be a few hurt feelings reports filed by other yelpers, and I'd like to file a brief…read morerebuttal: 1) Tom Cissero is gruff sometimes, but this is a fighting gym not a nail salon. 2) Yes, you are expected to pay monthly dues or a drop-in fee. This is generally the business model of all gyms everywhere. I can believe that there may have been a legitimate mix-up/miscommunication about billing, but Tom and Eric would NEVER intentionally cheat or scam anyone. 3) Tom has a tendency to kick out people if he doesn't like their attitude. Which, if you had a bad attitude, you would probably take personally. This habit of his keeps the place free of jerks and makes it nice for the rest of us. 4) The "little Napoleon" mentioned by another reviewer is a bad-ass (that's Eric). Just an FYI. I've trained here for years now, and I love it more than ever. Tom is patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and will work happily with anyone who truly wants to learn. (The schedule has changed somewhat since my previous post. Check the website for an updated list.)

I quit to join a gym that was closer to my work and school. Tom called and said that if he had…read moreknown I was going to quit, he would not have given me my blue belt. Fine, I tossed the one he gave me away and went back to white. No skin off my nose, I'm in it for the journey, not the belt. His actions told me that he most likely gives belts to people whom he believes are "cash cows". Whatever with that, honestly. I told him I was quitting, he still charged my card. I had to call my bank, but the whole mess was such a hassle that I decided he could keep the $60. Hope this helps. There is also major preferential treatment towards women. I was given two weeks free whereas men who had called in to try out the gym were heckled into paying a $25 mat fee. Really? $25? I've been to better gyms with better instructors in this state and even they have charged less. You're not really the Mendes Brothers or Cobrinha, so how can you justify charging such an insane price, for a class that you barely teach? FYI, Tom did not teach most of his classes, he let Tarzan do it. If you call to request a free demo class, and they tell you that you need to pay a "mat fee", think twice, there are better gyms out there. If you do decide on joining, do not sign a contract. I know of people that have gone to that gym WITHOUT a contract. Tell them you will pay upfront in cash every month. They DO NOT need your credit card information, save yourself the trouble. It's a shame honestly, because there were some really awesome people at that gym. Tom makes you believe that you're doing "legit", "real", "old style" jiu jitsu because i) he barely speaks English (so it ups the 'I'm from Brazil or where ever" legitness factor), ii) he urges you go BALLS to the WALL, and iii) he runs his gym like a totalitarian dictator runs a war-torn 3rd world country. Strength, aggression, and recklessness are valued over technique, pace, and skill here. I wish I knew what the turnover rate at that school was. I have tried again and again to understand why people stay. I think they're so caught up in the hype that Tom has created that they are simply TOO afraid to take a step back, realize what type of situation they're actually in, and walk out. Tom will harass you. He will call you up and threaten you. He will talk shit about you behind your back if you do not come back. There was a guy that left his place to go join Caio's. He talked so much shit about this dude, about how he was a pussy and wasn't a real man and was training with a bunch of fakes. Is that the type of instructor you want to teach you? If you get on his bad side, are you prepared to hear that shit coming from his mouth? On top of that, Tom is also physically abusive. I witnessed Tom SMACK his brown belt because he was demonstrating a technique wrong, then THREATEN him with an instant demotion if he did not get it right. The technique was something like a rolling crucifix to lapel choke. Jesus, Tom, if he didn't get it right, why don't you step in and HELP him, instead of fucking with him like that? YOU ARE THE ONE THAT GAVE HIM HIS BROWN BELT, HE IS A PRODUCT OF YOUR TEACHING. That incident gave me the creeps. I distanced myself from the gym shortly afterwards. I am surprised that nobody I was with that night said anything, I assume that behavior is normal there. I kick myself often for not stepping up, I knew it wasn't right - the hive mind mentality is strong there. Lastly, as if this wild ride couldn't get any crazier, Tom is a big proponent of DEMOTIONS. Have you ever heard of demotions in CA for BJJ? Have you ever heard of demotions by TWO belt ranks, even threats for THREE? Last year he demoted his black belt for "not training enough" (words taken straight from his FB). Jesus Christ, Tom. You gave that man a black belt because you believed he possessed the knowledge, wisdom, and experience to BE a black belt under YOUR style of BJJ. Does he lose knowledge if his training is interrupted by personal reasons? Does he lose his rank because he suddenly isn't paying you monthly tuition anymore? Which is it? How many other martial arts are as trigger happy with demotions as you are? Check their website and announcements page for past demotions (not sure if it's taken down by now, they used to have it up). This review is long, but honest. This review is not a reflection upon the people that train there. This is a review about the owner, Tom Cissero, and the way that he conducts his business. I will not tell you to not train here, the choice is yours, but please - if you feel anything amiss, anything at all, do not let him scare, intimidate, or BULLY you into staying. Save for San Diego and LA, there is NO OTHER PLACE IN CALIFORNIA that is as densely populated with legitimate and amazing black belts as San Jose. You have a myriad of schools to choose from, take your time, choose with care.