If you are a professional MMA fighter, a serious martial arts practitioner or just a fan who has always secretly wanted to learn mixed martial arts this is the place to be. The name itself and the professional talent that has come out of this under the radar school may sound intimidating but it is far from intimidating. If one were to walk in it is very likely you will be greeted by owner Dave Terrell (Former UFC Title contender and Gracie Juijitsu Black Belt). Upon meeting Dave you would soon be put at ease and learn there is wide variety of classes, from beginner level just learning technique for the first time, to the most technically advanced available in the world. It is not uncommon to have a beginner class going while fighters are preparing for a UFC fight in the back octagon .I signed up 8 years ago when I was 40 !! after 20 years of stand up martial arts I was bound and determined to learn the ground skills I had admired on T.V,I received far more injuries doing stand up point karate! and kick boxing than I did doing jujitsu with Dave. My son also signed up 2 years ago at 10 years old. It changed our lives! I am a suit and tie businessman and everyone there treated me great. I was certainly far from a phenom but over time got pretty decent. My son and I did a couple Gracie tournaments and got fit as hell. My son went from C s in school to four A s and two B's. Dave is old school this is NOT a belt factory with your typical delusional instructors, you or child WILL learn Jujitsu/MMA. The other day when I was in Jake Shields was there preparing for his UFC Title fight while Dave's wife was signing up three 6 year olds at the front desk. What a fun and exciting enviorment for anyone ! kid or adult at any level.Imagine that your local baseball team could learn baseball from the coach of the San Francisco Giants while the Giants practiced a few feet away. Think you would get any better? Anyway cant say enough about the positive experience 5 STARS for sure. Carey Crone read more

I finally got around to getting out to NCFA and I am beyond excited to become a member! A lot of people are going to have trepidation about training at a place that has a reputation for "throwing you to the wolves" but honestly it isn't bad, in fact you will leave with a desire to become the wolf. On your first visit you will most likely have developed some kind of game plan about how you are going to impress everyone with your slick youtube lessons/"I watch a lot of UFC brah" moves, but trust me, you will feel like a child the minute you begin to actually roll. The quality of even the beginners at NCFA is on point. These guys have been drilling and studying while you have been sitting on your couch slurping down brews and telling your old lady about how fighter X should have escaped that kimura. On your first visit (did I mention that this visit is free?) you will learn a few tricks, but the real education comes in the form of being dominated and submitted. The students are NOT the macho Tapout bar guys you see at the bars on Friday night, these are humble young men who are not afraid to share their knowledge and share their love for the sport. As for the primary BJJ instructor David Terrell, I will let you hit up youtube and wikipedia, if you are considering NCFA the information on those sites will be more than enough to convince you that he has the background to validate the price of instruction (which is VERY competative). I hope I have shared enough, without giving away any surprises about what to expect out of your first visit. You will be ok, you will be looked after, and treated very well by the students and teachers. You will leave with a new respect for the fighters you judge so freely while watching MMA, and a drive to improve your game. Get some shorts, a cup, a mouth guard, and head out to NCFA. Bring a positive attitude and be ready to get pushed to your limit. Hit the website for gym hours, start with Beginner Jiu Jitsu. See you in the gym! read more

After many years of living in Las Vegas and abusing my body with booze and buffets I realized I was fat and out of shape and needed to get back in shape or I would die. Since I grew up in wrestling and martial arts I decided to check out schools in Vegas ran by some of the most recognizable names in MMA and realized the schools were full of chumps more interested in swapping sweat with spotlight seekers. My search for a respectable school to get in shape and study martial arts took a move back to northern California. What did I find? A school I drive 2 hours each way to train. NorCal Fighting Alliance is a martial arts academy personified by the life-long commitment to excellence of owner and lead instructor David Terrell. A commitment to teaching an evolved Mixed-Martial Arts training program that incorporates the rich tradition of the Gracie Fighter system of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and grappling techniques along with Muay Thai, kickboxing, and boxing stand-up disciplines. Students of NCFA vary from 5 year olds enrolled by parents who want to instill them with confidence to masters of their respective disciplines looking to continue the pursuit of perfection. Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level training sessions are designed to provide the ideal environment to learn. David empowers each student with the mindset and technique to prevail not only against opponents of greater size and strength but in the challenges of everyday life. Whether you are looking for an exciting fitness program to get in shape or world class training to prepare for a title fight, NorCal Fighting Alliance has the training program for you. read more

After years of being a personal trainer and working out in typical gyms, I lost the drive to exercise. That's when I found NorCal Fighting Alliance. My brother had been training there for a couple of months and was telling me what a great experience he was having as a new person at NCFA. He was a high school wrestling coach and even had a couple of amateur MMA fights, yet he was learning something new every class and found himself completely challenged. I had to check it out for myself. I was a bit apprehensive about training because I was so out of shape, but it was the best decision I have ever made. I started with kickboxing class and found the coaches to be dedicated, encouraging, and experts in their field. The best part was I was getting in shape and was always excited to go! After a couple of months, I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with David Terrell. His level of Jiu-Jitsu is world class and we learn EVERY DAY from David. He is the first Cesar Gracie black belt and is able to teach all experience levels and age groups because he has been there himself. Also, David is a master motivator and quickly reads each student to find out how to get the most out of us. He truly treats each student as an individual and allows each of us to progress at our own pace. I quickly discovered how things work at NorCal: you get out of it exactly what you put in, you have enthusiastic teammates and coaches that will always help you to succeed, and you will consistently improve yourself physically and mentally. You have to come in and see for yourself! read more

My 11 year old granddaughter has been attending NorCal for over a year and we couldn't be happier. It is the best thing we have done for her. Under the guidance, training, and care of Coach Terrell, she has blossomed from a timid little girl, to one full of confidence, determination, and poise. Under the coaching of Mr. Terrell, she transformed from a complete beginner, to competing in a tournament in 8 months. Not only did she compete, but she won against a larger boy. It was amusing as the boy's father initially felt badly that my granddaughter had to fight his son and came over to apologize before the match. However he quickly realized his error when she got his son into a hold he couldn't escape! I watch her train at least 3 time a week, and am constantly impressed by the positive yet disciplined atmosphere Coach Terrell creates. He also keeps his facility in pristine condition, and is vigilant about the cleanliness of the mat. At one point I was videotaping my granddaughter in her lesson and had inadvertently put half of my foot onto the mat. He noticed right away and came over to remind me that there are no shoes allowed. I am grateful for the care he and his wife put into maintaining a clean and safe facility. All in all, NorCal is fabulous and I couldn't recommend it more highly. We are so grateful to have found them. read more

I just joined NCFA and I was amazed with the talent of David Terrell the talent that Dave processes is absolutely phenomanal and it is shown in the skill level of all his students . The great part is that the talent that is shown in this fasility was molded from scratch here by Dave . This facility is very clean Dave cleans the mats everyday with a medical strength cleaner in order to ensure that the typical skin irritants do not accrue I would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn jui jitsu from absolute best then NCFA is the place for you . If there Is ever a doubt about the skill level of Dave look at his resume of mma and grappling wins and it will show .the best way to explain it would be If you were trying to learn quantum physics would you ask a third grader ,( I think not) so why would you go to another school taught by amatures!! I think the best part of this school besides the skill you learn but the loyalty of the students they are like a family starting from the kids classes and there parents, to the students who just started and, the guys who have been training there since Dave started his school over 10 years ago. Also Dave just started the kids summer camps which is a great place for kids to learn confidence and do something constructive during those long summer days read more

This gym is top notch. My 10 yo and 5 yo son both recently started training there having never done the sports they were doing there. We called ahead to ask a few questions and Jessica (the owners wife) was incredibly responsive and helpful. She explained that safety was very important to Dave and the coaches and the coaches were very experienced. We brought our boys in and they jumped right in. The first thing I have to say is they had fun minutes into the training. The owner Dave was super friendly and very helpful. The whole gym is very professionally run. Dave (the owner) was very involved and I noticed that he checked all the kids gear and paid close attention. Jessica was right about Dave involvement as it relates to nearly everything, especially safety. The prices are completely reasonable and the kids had a ton of fun. Our kids have had to miss a couple of weeks due to the fires and some other conflicts and they have been super bummed. They can not wait to return. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I get sucked in too. It's very refreshing to find a business this polished and well run. We felt apart of the what appears to be a tight nit family at the gym almost instantaneously. Very grateful to have found them and very rewarding experience for my children. read more

5 stars for everyone from the intro kid in elementary school to the pro fighter making a run in the UFC. Before I started training with Dave Terrell and Nor Cal, more than 3 years ago, I was a fan of MMA and Martial Arts in general with some background starting when I was a kid; I had no idea. Still constantly amazed by this place. Dave is a breed apart; the highest level competitor, athlete and coach. There is only one way to experience the level a amazingness this place brings; words will never do it justice. Take into consideration that Dave was the first of 3 black belts under Cesar Gracie; followed by Nick Diaz and Jake Shields. Dave has competed at the highest level and been a major contender among the very best in the world in both Jiu Jitsu and MMA (UFC). Not just techniques but the mental philosophy of survival and cometitiveness that are instilled by this place. As hard core as this place is it is also a welcoming family oriented environment. I'm in my mid 30's and found nothing like it in my life. I can't say enough about NCFA but as I said before you really can't appreciate it unless you come in and check it out. read more

Norcal Fighting Alliance is the UNDISPUTED best place to train in Northern California! There are not many schools in the country where beginners can learn from a WORLD CLASS teacher/fighter, like Dave Terrell. Some schools are owned by professional fighters and use the name of the fighter to lure in students, but the fighter is no where to be seen in the actual academy. That is definitely not the case with NCFA. Dave, and the other coaches at NCFA, are in the academy EVERY DAY and you won't find a more dedicated team of coaches anywhere! Anyone can come in as a beginner and train along side some of the best practitioners in the world, including current and former UFC and Bellator Fighters. Some may be intimidated by this, but those who know that the fastest way to progress in any sport is to train with the best, will really appreciate what NCFA has to offer. If you are trying to become a tough guy at the bar, this isn't the place for you. If you want to join a team that is more like a family and can take you as high as you want to go in BJJ, MMA, Boxing, or Kickboxing, then Norcal Fighting Alliance is the academy for you! read more

NCFA has been the best thing I could ever sign my kids up for. My son has been doing it for about a year now and is turning 5 soon. My daughter has been watching for almost a year and just decided she wanted it to start participating a few weeks ago. My son went from being an shy 4 year old who was scared to go on the mat, to being a little force on the mat for not even being 5 years old. Dave is an amazing coach and has a way of teaching the kids that they really seem to thrive in. My family loves the environment in the gym and that it teaches respect and discipline which is very important for us. It is not an easy thing to get 15-20 young kids in one class and teach them all jui jistu. Somehow Dave does it with ease and my children absolutely love him. I respect Dave and the entire program very much and am very grateful that there is this high caliber of a training facility in my area. I think anyone not just children would enjoy the all the classes not just jui jitsu. It's en extremely well maintained gym and very clean. The entire Terrell family is an amazing family that I am very glad we get to hang out with in the gym. read more

So it's been 2 years since my last review, I cannot express enough my appreciation of Dave his wife and the staff at NCFA. My boys have been attending their facility for 3 years now, what this gym has done for my boys is beyond words, my boys self esteem and confidence is more then any parent can ask for, they love Dave and his training methods they always look forward to learning and working hard, especially now that they have proof that hard work pays off. With all of their hard training comes some side effects, they are very conscious about what they eat and what goes into their body. Connor has just started the 9th grade and you can imagine what most kids would feel like going into high school, Connor is so confident that we never had a doubt that he would do just fine. Their attitudes have improved immensely they are able to take constructive criticism, they are very respectful to others they come across. I could go on forever, if you are looking for a gym for your kids to get into check them out, best decision we have made for our kids future. Vince read more

If you want to workout in a VERY STINKY, and HOT environment this is the right place for you! The Training Equipment like focus mitt, arms shield, and the floor mat are STICKY, & STINKY, its because the bacteria do best in a WARM, MOIST protein rich environment its clear that they never CLEAN, and DISINFECT the floors, and the equipment. You MIGHT catch a BACTERIAL, FUNGAL, and VIRAL DISEASES. One of the boxing pouching bags has a HARD BUMP on the right side, very easy to get an injury, and when I talked to the owner, and with the instructor about it their answer was "Ok just don't kick on that part of the bag", for me its a RIDICULES, and, an IRRESPONSIBLE answer, because as soon as you are kicking or pouching fast, and hard, there is no way to avoid the dangers part of the bag. Also the Muay Thai classes are BAD! the instructor teach you the same thing every day, SAME DAILY ROUTINE, Right kick, Left kick, front kick, and same basic boxing punches on the boxing bags NO MOTIVATION AT ALL! Very STRESSFUL... read more

Outstanding experience at NorCal Fighting Alliance. My daughters attended a free class and loved the place from day one. They felt welcome, comfortable, and excited to come back, which says everything as a parent. The owner, Dave Terrell, is extremely knowledgeable and an excellent coach. He brings a very professional, calm, and confident approach that immediately builds trust with both kids and adults. On our second visit, another coach, Phil, worked with the kids and was also fantastic. Patient, engaging, and great at connecting with them while keeping things structured and safe. The gym itself is spotless and very well maintained. Everything feels organized and professional. I am originally from Germany and lived in Switzerland for over 15 years, where I trained Muay Thai. I have never experienced a martial arts gym of this caliber. NorCal Fighting Alliance is truly exceptional, highly professional, and welcoming for all levels, from kids to adults. I cannot recommend this gym highly enough. read more

I've played soccer my entire life and after an unfortunate knee injury I found myself missing something. I walked into Norcal Fighting Alliance shortly after my surgery, there I found one of the most committed coaches and team I had ever met. David Terrell is a great coach, not only does he have REAL experience, but he is willing to do whatever he can to help you reach your goals. At NCFA you get to train with real professionals everyday. By far the best Jiu Jitsu around, outstanding kickboxing, excellent wrestling and great boxing. This isnt for everyone, but if you are serious about fighting or serious about getting in shape, then this is the place for you! There is so much experience and knowledge in the academy, you can count on progressing everytime you step int the academy. Dont be turned off by the fighting scene and come in for a free trial class! Something for everyone in the family, great kids class aswell! read more

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude towards David and Jessica for creating such an amazing environment for my children and myself to better ourselves both on the mat and off. My children have been involved with many sports/coaches and David Terrell is BY FAR the most amazing coach and trainer we have ever been with. My daughter, who is 7, was very nervous when she first began training Jiu Jitsu, but David has created an environment in which all kids feel included and she quickly became confident and comfortable. David's ability to effectively train children is nothing short of amazing, shoot I can barely get kids to brush their teeth! My daughter has never come off the mat in any way other than proud of her accomplishments and with the utmost respect for David. I am so happy that my entire family has been able to become a part of the NCFA family. I cannot speak highly enough of this academy! read more

black momba here and i recently checked out a killer mma gym nor-cal fighting alliance, with awesome former mma fighter dave terrell. ncfa has it all great atmosphere, great instructors, and the people are good as well, no egos at ncfa its good for all ages to the kids that dont wanna get bullied anymore, the young or wife that wants to whipp that body in shape for summer, the up and coming mma fighter, or just the everyday guy whose into learning a new fighting art you will be around pro fighters, ufc fighters and bellator fighters. rates are cheap and affordable, and theres no shortage of personality at ncfa, so if your looking for a new workout spot or interested in mma i highly recommend ncfa (nor-cal fighting alliance) and remember if no time seems like the right time to go by and check this awesome gym out its never any better time then now!!!!! read more

NCFA Gracie affiliate school owned and operated by Dave Terrell! My youngest son started training at Norcal fighting alliance when he was 11. It built positive-self esteem and turned what was an over weight adolescent into a now athletic 18 year old. His brother, Father, Mother and future- sister-inlaw have or currently have also trained. There could not be a better family activity to share in than your health. Dave, Jessica and the entire Norcal team are like family. The gym is incredible too of course. Dave is absulutely the best jui-jitsu practitioner/ Instructor and his other trainers Jake, Cello etc. are great and it is always a good time watching everyone compete. They offer Jui-jitsu, Mui-thai, boxing & wrestling. The wrestling coach is Joe Soto a Bellator Champ.There is no other school like it this family will ever train at! read more

I've been doing martial arts on and off most of my life. This is,without a doubt,the best place I've ever been to.I have learned so much in the time I've been there because DAVE TEACHES EVERY CLASS! AGAIN,DAVE TEACHES EVERY CLASS! Where else are you going to get someone of this caliber teaching every class? Only at NorCal Fighting Alliance in Santa Rosa. Everything about this place is top notch. The level of training,the competion,the positive attitude,the amout of classes,the quality training partners,the quality instruction,the price.....no hidden fees or BS. I got more personal instruction with Dave in one class than I got from that other place in the year plus I was there. I liked it so much I brought my 12 year old nephew down,and he's fallen in love with NorCal as well. Come on down and check it out! read more

So glad we joined Norcal fighting alliance! Coach Terrel and his whole family are great to work with, Mrs. Coach is super patient and deals with all our request for merchandise and answers all our questions that we have had for the last six months as any new member would. The gym itself is super clean! I watch them sanitize and mop the mat after each class religiously! All of the coaches come from real world experience. My two boxing coaches, both have spent their youth in adult careers in the boxing culture/world. They are a wealth of knowledge and super patient to newbies. If you have any issues with Norcal fighting alliance it's only because you're creating excuses to stay at home, sit on the couch and play video games. This is the real deal! Chris M. read more