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Chicago Mixed Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 91 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chicago, Illinois

BJJ gym Beginners welcome No-gi Competition team

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
  • 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 chicagomma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 312-219-3095

Hours

Monday 6:30–7:30 am, 11:45 am–8 pm
Tuesday 6:30–7:30 am, 11:45 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 6:30–7:30 am, 11:45 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 6:30–7:30 am, 11:45 am–8:30 pm
Friday 11:45 am–7 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–1 pm
Sunday 9:30 am–1 pm

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Chicago Mixed Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 4 mentions

“Stefan is the muay thai coach i train with the most (3+ a week) and has taught me the fundamentals of muay thai through well designed drills and exercises.”

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🩳 No-Gi

“He teaches a 50/50 mix between stand-up and ground based training and has No-Gi classes every day.”

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🥋 Gi 2 mentions

“He teaches a 50/50 mix between stand-up and ground based training and has No-Gi classes every day.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“Whether you’re looking to compete or to be a better you, Chicago MMA offers it all.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

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🌱 Beginners 6 mentions

“This gym strikes a great balance between serious training and a welcoming atmosphere, making it an awesome place for both beginners and more experienced fighters.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Chicago Mixed Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai 7 mentions

“Since my start, ive become more confident and knowledgeable in both brazilian jiu jitsu and muay thai kickboxing.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 16 mentions

“More than half of my life (12 years+) with Misho and Chicago MMA and I can testify that this is the best MMA gym in Chicago.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“Since my start, ive become more confident and knowledgeable in both brazilian jiu jitsu and muay thai kickboxing.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 91 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“The head coach Misho at Chicago MMA has a great BJJ philosophy which makes it very applicable to MMA.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“This gym strikes a great balance between serious training and a welcoming atmosphere, making it an awesome place for both beginners and more experienced fighters.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 13 mentions

“This gym strikes a great balance between serious training and a welcoming atmosphere, making it an awesome place for both beginners and more experienced fighters.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 10 mentions

“Stefan is the muay thai coach i train with the most (3+ a week) and has taught me the fundamentals of muay thai through well designed drills and exercises.”

great workout & conditioning 4 mentions

“Some classes are more technical work while others can be more conditioning… couldn’t recommend a better gym to join.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“Most other BJJ gyms around Chicago are 90% ground based and focus on GI training, teaching lots of complex collar chokes which have no application outside of BJJ GI competitions.”

From the reviews

Ive been coming to this gym for over 4 months and have all great things to say about the instructors, the students, and the facilities/equipment. They have a frequent and flexible class schedule where i can train 7 times a week morning and night.

★★★★★ — Jonathan, Jan 2018

Legit BJJ blackbelt & Muay Thai instruction, coupled with a very welcoming environment. Classes are structured & build upon prior concepts. The facilities are well maintained, there is a nice, up to date work out area (weights, kettlebells, TRx, etc) with showers & towel service to boot!

★★★★★ — Nader, Dec 2025

The head coach Misho at Chicago MMA has a great BJJ philosophy which makes it very applicable to MMA. He teaches a 50/50 mix between stand-up and ground based training and has No-Gi classes every day.

★★★★★ — Ken, Sep 2025

When people find a reason to divide, this gym gives a reason to unite. Amazing atmosphere, friendship, and brotherhood. More than half of my life (12 years+) with Misho and Chicago MMA and I can testify that this is the best MMA gym in Chicago.

★★★★★ — Elvis, Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 91 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Chicago Mixed Martial Arts

Chicago Mixed Martial Arts 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Chicago Mixed Martial Arts

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Chicago Mixed Martial Arts

1528 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL60642

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.