I started training with Giva about two years ago when I relocated to Southern California. My initial plan was to train 2-3 times per week while I finished graduate school. I quickly found Giva, the students, and this facility to be an exceptional value-add to my life. After restructuring my work and school schedule - with the sole purpose of attending every noon class possible - I started training at every opportunity. This included noon classes, morning classes, and private lessons. The benefits have been exceptional. Giva takes a highly personal approach with each student that doesn't stop at jiu jitsu. He has helped me through personal problems, work challenges, and provided an environment that brings out the best in people. I can't thank him, and the students at One Jiu Jitsu, enough for their exceptional kindness and helpfulness. Two years have passed quickly. I found myself paying $80,000 for a formal education, but the lessons learned here were likely more valuable to my life. In the last fifteen years, I can point to three people that have drastically impacted my personal direction - Giva is one of them. If you live in Orange County, please do yourself a favor and train here (or at least give it a try!). read more

Training at this gym has opened my eyes to how BJJ should be practiced. The instruction, culture, and community are one of a kind and I highly recommend checking it out if you're interested. Giva, the head instructor, is a true master of the art. His technique is very high level and can without a doubt help you improve your game. His classes are broken down into basics/fundamentals, advanced, and combo, so that all skills levels have an opportunity to learn something. He also has a vision on what he plans to teach for the week. So instead of showing up and teaching whatever he feels that day, weeks are premeditated and usually focus on a theme (passing, guard, submission, sweep, etc). Technique aside, Giva is a really humble, friendly, and great example of a human being. He emphasizes living a healthy life and focuses on the big picture of why we should all train jiu jitsu. All of his students look up to him as more of a mentor than instructor and I feel extremely lucky to be able to train beneath him. The community of people that train here are all different skill levels, ages, sizes, and personalities. There are IBJJF competitors, mothers and fathers looking to improve their health, young kids learning self defense, and people like me, who just love to practice the art with other passionate individuals. No matter your intention, you'll surely be greeted and treated just like everyone else. As far as the facility goes, everything is in top notch shape. The mats are brand new and always clean, restrooms are spotless, and parking is plentiful. Although this is an often overlooked aspect of a gym, it's worth mentioning that there is a shower if you need to use it. All in all, if you're thinking about joining, you should come in and check it out. Talk to Mo or Giva, hop on the mats, and join the community. read more

Started my jiujitsu journey with Giva Santana 2 years ago. I was given a few days as a free trial and feel in love with the team and jiujitsu day one. I followed Giva and Mo to their new facility dedicated to jiujitsu and fitness and I couldn't be happier with the home and family I have to train with everyday. Learning and staying in shape with the greatest of people to be around. Not just people you see in the gym, we're a family. If you're looking for a place to get in shape and learn and grow as a person. Then One Jiujitsu is surely the place to go and train. read more

Let me take a moment to start off by saying how Jiu-Jitsu has changed my life, along with the life of my family in many positive ways. We have been training with Giva Santana since 2006/2007 (Almost 10 years now) and the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu have been life altering. When I first began training with Giva, I weighed 250 pounds and was far from healthy. In a matter of months, with proper dieting, I was able to lose over 100 pounds by surrounding myself with a strong team and a teacher who believed in and motivated me to become a healthier human being. One Jiu-Jitsu is an amazing gym where you will be sure to find highly motivated (and friendly) individuals who are inspired to train, compete and simply want to study the beautiful art of Jiu-Jitsu. Giva Santana, Mo Khayat, and Evan Cathey are experienced Black Belt Instructors that will take you to the next level in your Jiu-Jitsu game. For solid training, visit One Jiu-Jitsu and prepare for an experience like no other. One Family, One Jiu-Jitsu, Oss... read more

One Jiu Jistu and Fitness is a great, clean facility. I really enjoy the instruction from Giva and Mo that I ultimately followed them to this location when they decided to branch off. Each instructor is very patient and will take the time to demonstrate and explain the details of each move to the class. This is especially good for me as it usually takes a few minutes of demonstrating a new move before I begin to understand how to complete it. Overall, the training atmosphere is very relaxed and all the members are friendly and always willing to help when I have questions. Whether your goal is to compete in BJJ tournaments or just to improve your overall fitness, I would highly recommend One Jiu Jitsu and Fitness. read more

If you are lucky enough to live in Orange County, the Mecca of BJJ outside of Brazil, you have several excellent options for training jiu-jitsu. But, ONE Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness is special. Giva Santana and Mo Khayat are the best. Giva is a multiple world champion, former professional MMA fighter and one of the most genuinely caring and giving individuals you will ever meet. His instruction and technique are excellent. But more than that, he is one of those rare people who makes each person feel special because he sincerely cares about you and your progress. He knows each student's name and each student's game. Mo is the same. His instruction (especially his no-gi instruction) is super technical, effective and a total blast. He is also one of the most genuinely nice and caring guys you will ever meet. Both instructors consistently roll with their students and personally teach each class. If you compete, they will be there to corner you at competition. You won't always find that at other schools. In addition to the instructors, the students are fantastic. We are a tight knit, friendly and welcoming group. There are no jerks or big egos. New students are encouraged and helped. The rest of the group is deep and talented. Several high level black belts regularly attend class. In any given class (even in fundamentals) you will find multiple colored belts (unlike some other schools that have a disproportionate number of white belts). Students come in all shapes, sizes, and ages and from a variety of backgrounds, but we bond through training. We all work together to make each other better. The school already has a few recent world champions. The school also has an excellent women's team. The schedule is extensive. 6:30 am classes allow professionals and students the ability to train early before work or school (there is a shower at the facility). There are mid-day classes, kids classes in the afternoon and multiple classes at night. You can train as much and as often as you like. I have trained at a couple of different schools over the years, but I have spent the last few years with Giva and Mo. I would follow them anywhere. This is by far the best school I have attended. I am very happy and proud to call this my second home. You should come check it out. read more

One Jiu Jitsu is located close to the 405fwy and Orange County Airport. It is lead by well respected Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion/ MMA fighter, Giva Santana. Being in an area inundated with BJJ academies, this is one of the few that are run by an instructor that so well respected in both American and Brazilian jiu jitsu circles. I dropped in to check out his new spot. Facilities: Walking in the front door there is a small lobby and changing room. It is really a no frills academy concentrating on jiu jitsu. 1000sqft of Dollamur flexiroll mats cover the floors and walls. Classes can get packed, but there is enough space to accommodate classes as much as 30 students. There are 2 bathrooms. Being that they are new, there is yet to be water sold on premises, so bring your own. Impression: There are classes for both Gi and no-gi/ advanced and beginners. ONE jiu jitsu has a variety of players and different levels and body types. The quality of instruction is top notch. Expect to roll with players from black to white. Expect to roll with Mo, Evan or Giva.(instructors) Yes you will roll with the instructors. This is not a school where the coach doesn't roll with you. Overall: I would recommend ONE Jiu Jitsu if you are looking for a top notch BJJ school to train at. If you are a little skeptical by the member posts, its because they do have a great culture there lead by an amazing coach. Go check it out! read more

I've been training with this team since 2010. Giva is an exceptional teacher and an overall great human being to be around. His love of BJJ is infectious. He pays close attention to each and everyone of his students. He has been to every one of my tournaments. From small in-house competitions to big ibjjf ones, he is there all day coaching everyone... and all he asks is a coffee refill. :) Mo is an amazing teacher. He inspires with his wealth of knowledge and personal attention to each student. His no-gi classes have a loyal following (the "Mo-Gi guys" haha). This team is very close knit, friendly, and positive. They make you want to keep coming back every day. Most people come to train here 4-6 days a week and some are doing multiple classes a day. All of the students have full time jobs but their love of this place and BJJ makes them carve out the time to come. During the work week, the best part of my day is when I get to leave work and go hangout and roll with these guys/girls. :) read more

I typically join the 6:30am morning class. Great quality instruction and training partners. It is a great way to start a way to clear my mind and no stress for rest of the day! Thank you for the opportunity to train at One Jiu-Jitsu and highly recommend to anyone. read more

I have been training with Giva for about a year now, One jiu Jitsu's success started off with a bang and continues to sky rocket because of Giva and Mo. If you're looking for a place to train for competitions or just want to train as a hobby One is definitely the place for you. Everyone who trains there is genuine and makes you feel welcome. Giva puts his heart and soul in to every class he teaches and makes a true effort to help each individual student. Mo is our business man and low key jiu jitsu beast and he is always there to answer any questions or concerns. You're never left in the dark here read more

I followed Giva and Mo through 3 gyms and 5 facilities. I'm so glad we finally have a place dedicated to BJJ. They are amazing coaches that deserve the loyalty and respect from all the students that have stuck with them through the years. Giva is not only an encyclopedia of jiu jitsu, but he also is a great person who truly cares about his students. read more

Giva Santana is an exceptional instructor! His understanding of jiu-jitsu is top notch, and he knows how to break it down for every skill level. He is a patient instructor, and his attention to detail leaves you understanding exactly why the techniques are the way they are. Mo is another exceptional jiu jitsu instructor, and your training partners here are going to be the best you can find anywhere, no matter what your skill level. You will not regret training here! read more

I usually train at evolve Bjj, but I decided to train with my friend zack at One. I really enjoyed the class format and the level of skilled training partners was great. I would totally train there if it wasn't so far away from where I work and live. read more

My first time stepping on the mat was under the instruction of Giva and Mo. I didn't know what to expect, but after a few times on the mat I was hooked. I feel in love with BJJ not just because of the sport, but because of the community Giva and Mo built. Everyone was extremely welcoming especially the women. I highly recommend this gym to anyone regardless of experience. We're all very close here and we like to make everyone feel like they're apart of the family. read more

If I could give this place a million stars I would. It is the perfect place for all types: anyone who wants to become a jiu jitsu world champion, make friends who will become your family, get your fitness on and lose some weight, or just train recreationally. At a jiu jitsu gym, both the coaches, and the people you train with are integral to your experience. Giva Santana is the head instructor; not only is he a great role model and person whom I admire greatly, Giva is a master at his craft, and has a true passion for the sport, something that he passes onto his students. The team here is also something else. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and most importantly there are no egos and anyone, including females and beginners can feel comfortable here. I can't imagine a better place for females to train jiu jitsu, since this place has so many women training consistently. There are two brown belt women, Erica and Melissa, and they are AMAZING and anyone can learn a lot from them, but they are a huge part of the womens' team. There are also a handful of blue belt women, including myself, and a bigger handful of seasoned white belt women. I used to train to compete, but now I just train recreationally and I love it. There is a large group of both girls and guys who compete and podium at all the major tournaments. It is really fun to go and support the other teammates, even if you aren't competing. I could go on and on, but you get the point. This place is amazing. Come join our family :) read more

One Jiu Jitsu - Happy Holidays from Giva and his women warriors at One BJJ :) missing a few ladies! - Martial Arts Near Me - Tustin, California

I have been training BJJ for almost 14 years. In that time I've been to many different gyms and trained with several different instructors. I can say without a doubt that Giva is not only the best instructor I've ever seen, but also one of the best people. On top of that he's very well regarded in the jiu jitsu and MMA communities for his accomplishments. I would highly recommend anyone in the area, or even far away, take advantage of the opportunity to learn from him. One Jiu Jitsu is a great facility. It's cleaner than any other gym I've ever seen, has ample space to roll, brand new mats, and Mo (the other instructor) is excellent. The curriculum is good for people wanting to compete, learn self defense, or just get in shape. Most importantly the environment is open and friendly. Definitely check this gym out if you're an older BJJ vet or just curious about learning the art. read more

My 5 & 10 year old just started the BJJ class together a few weeks ago and love it. Great coaches, great workout, and great discipline. It is a great workout for kids and for learning the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu... and as a bonus they both fall asleep early on Jiu Jitsu days :) read more

If you're looking for great instructors, friendly training partners, clean facilities and a fantastic workout One Jiu Jitsu is for you. Mo and Giva have created a very welcoming environment. Come check it out! read more

This gym truly lives up to its name - ONE Jiujitsu and Fitness. It isn't like every other jiu-jitsu/Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym around the corner. Both Giva Santana and Mo are both passionate about the art/discipline and truly take pride in sharing it with others. It is conveniently located near the 55 Freeway, 405 Freeway and 5 Freeway in Irvine (near John Wayne Airport). The gym is centrally located among Newport Beach, Tustin, and Costa Mesa. Giva and Mo has created a safe, fun, yet challenging and competitive environment which embodies a family atmosphere. There's a pretty eclectic group that trains here - world champion BJJ athletes, corporate executives, medical professionals to your everyday person just looking for a good workout. Another aspect of the space that truly stands out is the cleanliness and design of the gym, which is often overlooked at most MMA/kickboxing/jiu-jistu and martial arts studios. The gym has ample mat space which is thoroughly cleaned between classes, plenty of parking spaces, comfortable lobby area with seating, and polished amenities (two bathrooms and a shower, yes a shower!). I highly recommend checking out the new studio; you won't be able to resist. read more

Amazing place. Very clean, welcoming environment. Excellent instruction and an overall great place to study jiu-jitsu.

Walked in to One Jiu Jitsu, I was warmly welcomed by Mo. He was super welcoming and made me feel at home. He is a black belt under Giva Santana and I believe the office manager. He showed me wear the bathroom was to change and class would start in about 10mins. After I changed Professor Giva Santana greeted me with a smile and introduced himself. We went over grip fighting and 3 different take downs. Class was great! I got to roll with Giva, when we started sparring. I know why they call him "The Arm Collector". Great atmosphere, clean, and friendly! A++++ read more

This place is awesome! It's a fun and great learning environment for Jiu-Jitsu. The teachers are very helpful and friendly. The gym vibe is very positive and everyone here is super friendly. The gym even offers kids classes which I highly recommend. Giva Santana is a great technician and offers a lot of experience & knowledge to his students. He teaches both advanced and fundamental classes for beginners. I enjoy both classes, the fundamentals with Giva are my favorite. Professor Mo Khayat is a great instructor and breaks down the technique so it's easy to understand. Both coaches are phenomenal! I highly recommend this gym if you are new or have experience in Jiu-Jitsu. The classes are beginner friendly. This gym caters to all learners and everyone makes you feel like family. read more

Giva Santana and his instructors are a dream come true for my 2 kids (ages 5 and 8). It has been such a wonderful experience for them and they have made friends in class which is fantastic. The kids classes are at a great time after school and they get an awesome workout and love every minute of it. Thank you Giva and your excellent and professional instructors that have been very kind and professional with my kids. We love the Brand new facility with easy parking too!! read more

I never write reviews. If anyone checks out my profile, they'll see I've done one in the past four years. That fact alone should imply that I think very highly of this place. I tried out this place after bumping into an old high school friend, and told him I had been thinking of doing some sort of martial art for a while. He suggested I come check it out, using the free three-day trial they offer. I was hooked after the first day. I decided to sign up immediately, and tried coming as often as I could. Giva is among the nicest people I ever had the pleasure to meet. He is very patient, understanding, professional, and genuinely cares about your success. I also appreciated the fact that he remembered my name the second time I went in. Mo, another instructor, is also another world-class human being. Both Giva and Mo could not have made One JiuJitsu a more welcoming place. JiuJitsu definitely is a wake-up call. Not only does it kick your ass physically, but it makes you double check your mentality. Being a powerlifter, I admittedly fell victim to thinking I was a beast for lifting weights, but after having people 40-60 pounds lighter than me take me down, slip out of my grips, and pin me down like it was their job, it definitely opened my eyes. And that is exactly what I wanted. After a few classes, I had already noticed greater humility, calmness, decreased stress levels, and just overall clearer thinking. Additionally, all the students there are very welcoming and help out whenever you are having trouble with executing moves. Very, very cool group of guys and gals. Unfortunately I had to cancel my membership after a few short classes due to unforeseen financial instability. They allowed me up to a two-month freeze while I was looking for new income. After two months of no luck, I made the painful decision to fully cancel my membership. They were very easy-going about it; no trouble at all. I definitely plan to come back once I am able to. For any new comers thinking about giving this place a shot, I say GO FOR IT! You won't regret it. read more

Best attitudes and instruction. A great blend of structured and flexible. I've always felt welcome from day 1. The multiple classes give me great flexibility to train at my convenience, and still gain a solid curriculum. The classes tend to focus on one aspect of the game for a few weeks, so if my schedule is random, I still get related material. read more

I would recommend anyone to ONE Jiu Jitsu! One of the best places on Orange County to learn Jiu Jitsu taught by Professor Giva and Professor Mo. I drive from Riverside, CA to go to the Jiu Jitsu class and roll. It's well worth the drive for me to train there. Not only do they teach you detail techniques but an environment when no one judges you or make you feel uncomfortable. read more

I would highly recommend this place if you're looking in to BJJ or looking for a new home. Giva Santana is a world class instructor and such a down to earth person. I've been away for about 3 years and I just love how Giva is so welcoming. read more

World class Jiujitsu instruction brought to you right here . Great kids program here as well . Love the unity here . Perfect for fitness , competition , and self defense right here in Orange County ! read more

The training at ONE Jiu Jitsu and Fitness is excellent. Giva is a superb instructor and is very helpful and friendly. This place also offers a variety of classes from beginners to the most experienced practitioners. Also there is a sense of community between the students thus making ONE JIU JItsu and Fitness a great environment to learn Jiu Jitsu and be part of a family. read more

My son started training under Giva 4 years ago when he was 10 years old. He participated in the kids class I myself joined 2 years later when I could not resist the temptation to train and learn from one of the best jiu Jitsu professionals in the world. My son loved going to the kids class. Giva has a great way with the kids and makes the class not only instructional but also fun. My son not only enjoyed it so much but also learned a lot. Having entered his teens and grown so tall, my son now attends the adult class, where he is fully accepted by everyone. Mo and Giva have created a school where everyone is welcome. This is another aspect that attracted me to this school. The group consists of people of all ages and types. It includes people like me that see it as a hobby and a way to learn the art and remain physically fit, athletes that take it more seriously that like to complete, as well as teenagers. Everyone is welcome and the atmosphere among the group is very friendly and very supportive. There is a sense of camaraderie which my son and I enjoy. You should come and try it out. I highly recommend it. read more

Great place to train! High level technique with friendly environment!!

Im sitting down here at giva santanas academy in irvine and its new clean and the kids class is very good. Nice skills even for the grey belts. My sons an orange belt and got some good rolls in with the lower ranks. Might just consider joining. Giva santana has an outstanding resume and is an awesome instructor with a homelike feeling.. read more

The best instruction in the OC. Not only is Giva Santana a diligent instructor, his students develop into methodical teachers overtime. Your teammates are a huge asset because of the academic atmosphere. read more

In life it is rare to find people with true integrity, and in business even more so. The instructors and owners of this gym are genuine, honest, respectful people who also happen to be incredible teachers. I have trained in many gyms in Orange County and the US and there is nowhere I would rather call home. The atmosphere is simultaneously supportive and competitive. Giva and Mo know their students and tend to their progress no matter how advanced or how new and their interest is not dependent on the student's competition goals, age, gender, or level of training. If you are looking for a gym that is truly a family, free of drama, full of great, serious training and support, you have found the right place. Come try a class and you will see what I mean. read more

I can honestly say that this is the best school in Orange County. Although it wasn't the first one to come up in any Google search, I found it to be a hidden gem. I've been training for over 7 years, and have trained at several schools while living in 5 different states. The vibe, the technique, and the attention to detail the instructors provide is hands down the most impressive school, at one of the lowest prices to train at. I do not work for them, but I wish I saw a review like this earlier and started training right when I moved. read more

I trained with Giva and the one jiu jitsu team in the past before moving out of state. When I came back for an extended visit, I was pleasantly surprised to find that he and some of the other higher ranking belts had opened their own academy. All teachers and the other members welcomed me back and treated me like I had never left. Giva is has very high level jiu jitsu and is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. His bjj instruction is very technical but he's also very patient, willing to explain each technique until everyone understands. Jiu Jitsu classes run all day into the evening -evening classes are bigger but I've dropped in for several noon classes and there is never a shortage of training partners. The facility is constantly being cleaned which is nice because I've had problems in the past with other gyms where I'm rolling on someones sweat from the previous class. They've got 2 private bathrooms/changing rooms as well as a shower room so I can train, clean up and go on with my day. Also as an added bonus, they've got a cold water machine which I really like since I'm too lazy and always forget to bring my own water... I appreciate the fact that they don't sell me bottled water. read more

Chill vibe and no ego. Great class/ instruction by professor Giva Santana. I felt very welcomed visiting from another school. I highly recommend this academy for anyone who's looking for a school to join or just visiting from out of town. read more

My old training partner was inviting me constantly to come train for a very long time. Months later I made the move. The academy is a very friendly environment. Giva Santana is an amazing instructor and a technical wizard and trains his students very hard. I'm lucky and happy to be apart of this new journey. read more

Great place for both a serious competitor and the bussiness man or housewife that wants to stay fit. I have been with Giva and Mo since 2010 and haven't left since for a reason. My little sister was in their kids program when she was 10 and 11. She loved the kid's class. Great gym. Great family. read more

Giva let me drop in for open mat a few times while I was in town for worlds. I also was lucky enough to share a private lesson with my buddy that trains here. The instruction is world class and the set up is legit. I loves the open garage door letting in fresh air during rolls and the chill music that was playing. I would train here for sure if I lived in the area. read more