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Absolute Jiu-Jitsu Academy
4.8 ★★★★★ 117 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bristol, Tennessee
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule absolutejj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (423) 383-1981
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM–2 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“My son and I moved to TN from Georgia and checked out some Jiu Jitsu schools - once I looked at the photos on the wall of Absolute JJ I knew we were in the right place.”
“Great classes for everyone from children to beginners all the way to students wanting to compete.”
“Great classes for everyone from children to beginners all the way to students wanting to compete.”
Other martial arts here
“I would highly recommend training Absolute Jiu-Jitsu Adults and kids classes for Jiu-Jitsu and Bang Muay Thai Kickboxing!”
“I would highly recommend training Absolute Jiu-Jitsu Adults and kids classes for Jiu-Jitsu and Bang Muay Thai Kickboxing!”
What members say
“He studied under the greatest (Gracie ) and continues to surround himself with the best instructors available.”
“We highly recommend the safe, clean, and welcoming environment at Absolute with Coach Dee at the helm and look forward to many more years of training and fun!”
“We highly recommend the safe, clean, and welcoming environment at Absolute with Coach Dee at the helm and look forward to many more years of training and fun!”
“I started my son in Jiu Jitsu here a couple of years ago and was excited to see that day one he was already learning the techniques.”
“I can't say enough about what Dee and absolute did for my son. My family and I love this place!”
“Dee finds a way to seamlessly balance fun games with instructional time to foster healthy competition and discipline with his younger students.”
From the reviews
My son and I moved to TN from Georgia and checked out some Jiu Jitsu schools - once I looked at the photos on the wall of Absolute JJ I knew we were in the right place. My son was 10 and I was ...well, older lol. The history speaks for itself but it gets better.
Absolute Jiu-Jitsu is the oldest academy in the area with a highly experienced, professional, and knowledgeable owner/lead instructor, Dee Smith. My son has attended Absolute since he was 5 years old (approximately 3 years) and looks forward to attending classes weekly.
My kids have trained here for close to 3 years. The youngest of the two started when he was almost 6. Dee has been the best coach I could've asked for. He is patient with all the kids, doesn't matter how big or small the class is. My kids have learned so much and have went on to compete and place in tournaments.
We are lucky to have an academy of this caliber in our area. This is not a job for the owner it’s a lifestyle. He studied under the greatest (Gracie ) and continues to surround himself with the best instructors available. This is all done to give students the best possible experience available.
New to BJJ? Start at Absolute Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Absolute Jiu-Jitsu Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Absolute Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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