I started training at Minnesota Kali Group about eight months ago as a new student. This was my first exposure to any martial art. I was quickly welcomed and felt very comfortable as a new student and as a female student as well. I have been impressed with the quality of classes and instruction, the level of personal attention, and opportunities to learn and develop - from seminars, competitions, and classes - and have since started training there 3-4 times a week in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Instructors Fabio Morescalchi of Akagi Jiu Jitsu, Joseph Swore and John Dornick are always available to answer questions and often give feedback and coaching in addition to class material. I have found the coaches and students to be very invested in improving and helping each other learn. This is a fun and noncompetitive place to train. Head instructor Fabio Morescalchi has a great enthusiasm BJJ and for teaching. He has really made learning accessible and fun - encouraging me to come to classes and be involved in seminars and open mat events, helping me feel welcome as a new person and to find training partners, and putting in extra time outside of class on a regular basis to prepare for competitions or just to improve and practice. I started out in the women's BJJ class, but have felt very comfortable as a female student in all the classes I have taken. I have found that students are welcoming and willing to share what they know and I have learned so much since I started. The same extends to other classes I've taken here. MKG offers a variety of classes in many arts and encourages students to develop holistically by practicing many. The free week of classes is a great way to get started! read more

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program at Minnesota Kali Group is headed by Fabio Morescalchi of Akagi Jiu-Jitsu as well as co-instructors Joe Swore and John Dornick. I have been training there for a year and half about 2-3 times a week and strongly recommend the program to anyone looking to train BJJ in Minneapolis. The school is located on Chicago Ave a few blocks off of I35W and Crosstown. The fees are very affordable and flexible (no forced yearly contract) and the atmosphere laid back though you will work hard to earn your stripes - literally and figuratively. The coaching there is top notch. Coach Morescalchi is dedicated to the art and to doing everything he can to make his students better. He has been training for 24 years in Jiu-Jitsu and holds a brown belt in Judo as well. The BJJ program's lineage can be traced through Chris McCune - Fabio Morescalchi's coach - who is a 2nd degree black belt under Rigan Machado. Whether you're a total beginner or have been training for several years; are looking to compete or like me just want to take classes, have fun and get in shape, there is something for you there. Coaches Morescalchi, Swore and Dornick have very different games, so whether you're a smaller athletic player who likes to move a lot or have a larger build and favor a pressure game, you will receive coaching adapted to your body type, fitness level and athletic abilities. Lastly, the program regularly hosts great seminars (Jeff Glover, Tom Oberhue, Mike Ellefson, Chris Haueter, Chris McCune...) as well as visits or hosts our cousin schools for fun rolling sessions. Stop by for a free class anytime, everyone there is always eager to welcome new students. See you on the mat! read more

All classes I've taken at MKG in the last 3 years have been worthwhile, helping me understand and develop my own body mechanics. It's clear from the first class that Rick Faye is knowledgeable and passionate about martial arts practices--and it shows through not only in his teaching, but in all instructors' training. I've spent most of my time at MKG practicing jiu jitsu. The greatest aspects of the program are the coaches and community. Fabio Morescalchi of Akagi Jiu-Jitsu has been a huge support since the beginning, encouraging me to come to class whenever possible, helping me buy a gi, taking time out of his own schedule to help me train, and even developing a women's only class. Fabio is so knowledgeable about jiu jitsu and will demonstrate and review until his students understand. He is funny, affable, and his love of jiu jitsu shows through his teaching. Coach Joe Swore teaches great classes on Wednesday nights. Joe is enthusiastic about jiu jitsu. He breaks down movements clearly to make them easily understandable and I always leave his class having had a good workout. John Dornick and Tom Riggle are also incredible coaches and give me feedback on my game when we cross paths. Having multiple coaches gives the program an awesome variety of perspectives and strengths. Beyond the coaches, our jiu jitsu community is like none other. Having a consistent group of people to train with is motivating and keeps me accountable. This is definitely not a macho gym--people love and support each other at MKG! Check it out!! read more

I recently moved to the Nakomis area and stumbled upon the Minnesota Kali Group, where I have been attending BJJ/Grappling classes for about two months. I have not had a chance to participate in classes outside of their grappling class, but based on the reviews of other people I have talked to I definitely will be. Previously, I spent about a year training BJJ at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy (which I would also recommend for anyone in the Brooklyn Center area). However, after getting married, moving twice, and having kids, my fitness and technique were almost non-existent. My first few classes were with Joe Swore, who did a fantastic job at being encouraging and making me feel welcome. Since then, classes have been run by Fabio Morescalchi of Akagi Jiu-Jitsu. Both of the instructors I have experience with, as well as a number of the other higher-ranking belts, do an amazing job of fostering a friendly and productive culture and have been fantastic teachers. Additionally, the community of grapplers at the Minnesota Kali Group is truly fantastic. The culture established by the MKG staff is evident in just about every student and it is always easy to get a high quality roll. I would strongly recommend the Minnesota Kali Group to anyone looking for some good people and good grappling. read more

I'm new to martial arts yet the people here are always very helpful and have a lot of patience. There are a lot of members who really know their stuff too. I'm impressed by how knowledgeable the instructors are. You can tell they genuinely enjoy their jobs and have worked to learn deeply about the martial arts. You'll also frequently see the man himself, Rick Faye. He teaches classes a lot which is impressive compared to other gyms where the namesake doesn't show up much. Not so here, Rick walks the walk. read more

I have known Guro Rick personally for decades and consider him not only one of the finest martial arts instructors in the world, but also one of the finest human beings in the world. He is obviously skilled, but more than that is a great instructor with patience and humility and an awesome sense of humor. He has dedicated himself to becoming what he is and serves as an excellent role model for all his students and friends. read more

I had a womens self defence course for myself and 6 other ladies, diana scheduled and instructed the whole thing, she is amazing! W e were able to feel comfortable, as most of us dont have an athletic backround, and she explained everything before we did it and everyone had a wonderful time and learned a lot, and most importantly, we left with a great deal more of self confidense. thank you diana! we will be back! read more

I visited the Minnesota Kali Group from Springfield, Missouri, and was literally blown away by how polite and accommodating the staff was to me. Everyone was very inviting and polite, and the facilities were great. I am a lifelong student of the Filipino Martial Arts, and found the instruction to be second to none. Rick Faye and his staff are as knowledgeable as anyone teaching today. Amazing experience! read more

I took a self defense class at Kali about a month ago. It lasted 3 hours and I went with a group of co-workers. WOMEN GO DO THIS NOW! I learned so much. We learned series of movement to get out of an attack and they even had people in padded outfits for us to pratice hitting. I have never hit another human and the act of doing so is hard. But this class prepared me for any event. EXCELLENT! read more

I have been training BJJ here for about 4 months and would recommend it to anyone. Every one there went out of there way to make you feel welcome. The head instructor Fabio (brown belt) is a really good teacher. The mkg club also offers every martial art you could imagine. Don't pass up this opportunity to train read more

Exceptional training quality and facilities! School has a wide encompassing array of courses from Kali, JKD and BJJ which are stimulating as well as mentally and physically challenging. Supportive students, instructors and growing community make MKG a winning proposition! read more

After a couple of free trial classes, I have to say that the experience was TERRIBLE! The guy that teaches JKD/Muay Thai gives off MAJOR CREEP vibes. That place is not safe. DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! read more

Great place to train, especially if you are interested in cross-training a variety of arts.