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Dark Matter Jiu Jitsu/Ares BJJ Tempe
5 ★★★★★ 70 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tempe, Arizona
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 (ages 5–14) — 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 darkmatterjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (480) 702-1178
Hours
| Monday | 5–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5–8 PM |
| Friday | 5–8 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I have 3 years of consistent training and was engaged in the fundamentals class.”
“It's a great deal for your money, and Coach Cory is great with the kids.”
“I stopped by and they let me train for all 3 of there afternoon No Gi classes.”
“I stopped by and they let me train for all 3 of there afternoon No Gi classes.”
“Our comp training and comp team experience is one of a kind.”
“I wanted to start BJJ because of self defense, and searched for the nearest gym to my university.”
“He incorporates a lot of situational training and games which makes the class fun and useful for students on all levels.”
What members say
“Have been going 9 months now and can't picture going anywhere else, Korey is a very high level practitioner and a great instructor, makes learning jiu jitsu a great experience.”
“My first class here was at the end of February 2025, and I felt welcomed from day one despite having very little jiu-jitsu experience.”
“The coach is amazing, the community is really encouraging and filled with such good people, and I love the challenge that learning jiu-jitsu presents.”
“When it comes to the actual jiu jitsu, coach Korey's teaching can only be described to be tactical and extremely detailed.”
“Besides is clean and has a really nice bathroom”
From the reviews
We come here for their kids jujitsu program. All I can say is… AMAZING!!! We’ve been bringing our 8 year old son here for about 4 months now and it’s been amazing watching him grow and learn here at Dark Matter. Korey is one of the best and most patient instructors I’ve ever seen.
This gym has become one of my favorite places. The coach is amazing, the community is really encouraging and filled with such good people, and I love the challenge that learning jiu-jitsu presents.
Great place to train! Lots of cool people in a friendly and welcoming environment. Instructor Korey is an incredible teacher; he points out all the little details that make huge differences. I’ve been training here for almost a year and I have loved every bit of it.
I’ve been training here for a little bit over a year now and couldn’t imagine training anywhere else. The classes are structured, but always contain enough variety to keep it fun and interesting.
New to BJJ? Start at Dark Matter Jiu Jitsu/Ares BJJ Tempe
Dark Matter Jiu Jitsu/Ares BJJ Tempe 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 Dark Matter Jiu Jitsu/Ares BJJ Tempe
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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