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Connection Rio Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
5 ★★★★★ 160 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bend, Oregon
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- 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 connectionriobjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (541) 797-8762
Hours
| Monday | 6–7:15 AM, 3:45–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–1:30 PM, 4–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7:15 AM, 3:45–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12–1:30 PM, 3:45–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 6–7:15 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 5:30–7 PM |
| Saturday | 9–11:45 AM |
| Sunday | 9–10:30 AM |
The classes they run
“Our Experience at Connection Rio Jiu Jitsu Ever since my daughter began her Jiu Jitsu journey at Connection Rio, I can honestly say this place has been life-changing.”
“Connection Rio isn’t just a gym — it’s a family-oriented, traditional Jiu Jitsu school that genuinely cares.”
“It doesn’t matter if you are a high level competitor or just someone who wants to try out the best martial art there is.”
“He took me under his wing to coach me one on one, and made an incredible impact on my game.”
“Dennis is an absolutely fantastic coach who has a wealth of knowledge and experience in BJJ, MMA, working with both beginners and professional athletes.”
Other martial arts here
“Dennis is an absolutely fantastic coach who has a wealth of knowledge and experience in BJJ, MMA, working with both beginners and professional athletes.”
“Little did we know, the practice days for wrestling and Jiu Jitsu would overlap — so she had to make a tough choice.”
What members say
“Not only did Dennis go out of his way to help with my travel and training plans, he is one of the best coaching I have ever worked with !”
“My first class there I was approached by at least 5+ different people who saw that I was new, introduced themselves, and welcomed me personally to the school.”
“” Since then, her maturity, discipline, confidence, and focus have all grown tremendously — and that’s thanks to the incredible Connection Rio family.”
“Dennis has an ocean of experience in martial arts and his love of teaching his craft shines through in the patience and level of detail he shows while instructing.”
“It doesn’t matter if you are a high level competitor or just someone who wants to try out the best martial art there is.”
“The curriculum is structured, atmosphere clean, and kids have a blast while building confidence, resilience, and a strong work ethic.”
From the reviews
Dennis is an absolutely fantastic coach who has a wealth of knowledge and experience in BJJ, MMA, working with both beginners and professional athletes. He's really friendly and will go out of his way to make everybody feel welcome and cultivates an excellent team atmosphere.
Our Experience at Connection Rio Jiu Jitsu Ever since my daughter began her Jiu Jitsu journey at Connection Rio, I can honestly say this place has been life-changing. Madison started out as a wrestler but also wanted to try Jiu Jitsu, we reached out to connection Rio and was given a free class which was great.
I was truly fortunate to meet and train with Prof. Dennis in Brazil in 2003. I have trained around the world and rarely have I met an instructor so technical, passionate and gifted in the art of teaching. In my case I am truly grateful as Prof.
I have nothing but high praise for Dennis as a coach and a person. I trained with Dennis in Rio de Janeiro back in 2009/2010 and can attest to his character. He is a selfless individual having helped many with travel, accommodation and training.
New to BJJ? Start at Connection Rio Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
Connection Rio Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. 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 Connection Rio 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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