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Defcon Jiu Jitsu

4.7 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Bakersfield, California

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule defconjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (661) 340-4649

Hours

Monday 5–7:30 PM
Tuesday 6–7:30 PM
Wednesday 5–7:30 PM
Thursday 6–7:30 PM
Friday 5–7:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

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 Defcon Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 3 mentions

“nothing fancy or showy… Just basic fundamentals that will help you win a self defense situation or an MMA championship!”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 5 mentions

“DEFCON is run by Professor Art and dad can though they are the new kids on the block Professor Art has years of experience behind him!”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“nothing fancy or showy… Just basic fundamentals that will help you win a self defense situation or an MMA championship!”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, you’ll find that Professor Art breaks down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.”

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 Defcon Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA

“nothing fancy or showy… Just basic fundamentals that will help you win a self defense situation or an MMA championship!”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 21 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 8 mentions

“Professor Art is an excellent instructor- whether you are a beginning white belt or a seasoned Jiu-Jiteiro-- you are able to take away so much from his classes.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“The atmosphere is welcoming, and the level of instruction is top-notch.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 10 mentions

“Friendly , cozy sized gym with good family values and knowledgeable instructors.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, you’ll find that Professor Art breaks down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 6 mentions

“It is a nice, clean place and i know that at least one of the Professors has trained with some of the best in the industry.”

From the reviews

It is a nice, clean place and i know that at least one of the Professors has trained with some of the best in the industry. This is a new, little gem in Bakersfield!

★★★★★ — Mary, Jun 2021

I started training at Defcon in early 2022. I planned to train for 3 or 4 months and improve my fitness a bit.. It's been 14 months and I'm still driving 75 miles round trip three times a week - That's how much I love this place! Super clean facility, great training partners, solid jiu-jitsu.

★★★★★ — Curtis, May 2023

We drove to bakersfield from porterville. It was worth the drive. professor Art spends 1:1 time with each student. His wife is friendly and makes you feel comfortable. The gym is very clean. My grandson had so much fun. He is about 7 months into this sport and he loves it. He talked about it the entire drive home.

★★★★★ — Candy, Sep 2022

This has to be the best BJJ gym in Bakersfield. Professor Art has amazing fundamentals and takes pride in his craft. Also, Professor Art trained at an original Gracie academy; so you know you're in good hands. Lastly, the environment is very clean and welcoming.

★★★★★ — Keanu, Sep 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Defcon Jiu Jitsu

Defcon Jiu Jitsu 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 Defcon Jiu Jitsu

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 Defcon Jiu Jitsu

5610 District Blvd #106, Bakersfield, CA93313

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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.