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Checkmat Knoxville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 48 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Knoxville, Tennessee
Part of Checkmat
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
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- 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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule checkmatknoxville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (855) 765-5255
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | 2–4 PM |
The classes they run
“He's patient, engaging, and has a real knack for working with kids, making the sessions fun and approachable with games and drills that build skills without any pressure.”
“He's putting in a ton of work building up the local Jiu Jitsu community with wonderful open mats when everyone else is closed, and hosting local submission only tournaments.”
“He's putting in a ton of work building up the local Jiu Jitsu community with wonderful open mats when everyone else is closed, and hosting local submission only tournaments.”
“They’re advancing quickly, gaining confidence, improving discipline, and truly understanding the importance of self-defense.”
“The facility is spotless, well-organized, and equipped with quality mats and gear, which is impressive for a brand-new gym.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Professor KJ was great. It is a great environment and the other students were very welcoming.”
“Professor KJ was kind and welcoming, the gym was very clean and safe, and the culture of the class stood out to me as focused, respectful, and high integrity.”
“Professor KJ was kind and welcoming, the gym was very clean and safe, and the culture of the class stood out to me as focused, respectful, and high integrity.”
“Just dropped in again today for Sunday open mat and picked up some useful new techniques.”
“My son absolutely loves the classes and always leaves happy and more confident.”
“If you're in Knoxville area and seeking a supportive jiu jitsu program for kids led by a dedicated professor like KJ, check out Checkmat!”
From the reviews
I had been looking for a new gym for quite some time. After taking a few classes with Professor KJ, it was pretty clear that this is where I want to be moving forward. KJ and his wife are extremely nice people and care about the students. The jiu jitsu instruction is extremely detailed and high level.
Professor KJ is legit! He's putting in a ton of work building up the local Jiu Jitsu community with wonderful open mats when everyone else is closed, and hosting local submission only tournaments. The mat is spring board style, which is great for this old body and the most forgiving in the area.
I took about 6 months off after moving and starting a new job. Today was day 1 of my free trial week. Professor KJ was great. It is a great environment and the other students were very welcoming. I’m looking forward to the rest of the week!
Kj is a fantastic instructor and a great guy! As a fellow black belt, he has welcomed me and my students with open arms to train at his academy! Love the Sunday open mat!
New to BJJ? Start at Checkmat Knoxville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Checkmat Knoxville Brazilian 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 Checkmat Knoxville Brazilian 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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