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Defiant Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Woodbury, Minnesota
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 (ages 5–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- 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
- 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 defiantjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (651) 392-5750
Hours
| Monday | 9–11 AM, 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9–10 AM, 5:15–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10–11 AM, 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 3:45–7 PM |
| Friday | 10–11 AM, 4:30–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:15 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“This place, Kenzie, and every instructor who has helped with the kids classes has been so involved, knowledgeable, positive, and helpful.”
“Dave’s pedigree speaks for itself and he demonstrates and teaches top level Gi and NoGi BJJ.”
“Dave’s pedigree speaks for itself and he demonstrates and teaches top level Gi and NoGi BJJ.”
“Before we started coming to Defiant only 1 of my 4 kids liked going to jj class but now all 4 of them enjoy going and the older 2 even started competing in tournaments.”
“Kenzie runs fantastic kids classes as well as a women’s open mat.”
“All levels and ages (thank you for the spring mats) are catered for.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Professor Dave was great, very welcoming and class was fun.”
“From day one she was welcoming, supportive, and genuinely excited to help make it happen.”
“Kenzie has been incredible — she even allowed me to create my own homeschooling class, which meant so much to our family.”
“The children look forward to class every single week and have already learned so much — not just technique, but discipline and confidence as well.”
“Excellent coaching for the kids program.”
“Before we started coming to Defiant only 1 of my 4 kids liked going to jj class but now all 4 of them enjoy going and the older 2 even started competing in tournaments.”
From the reviews
I’ve been to a number of BJJ gyms and followed Coach Dave here when he opened such is my belief in him. Dave’s pedigree speaks for itself and he demonstrates and teaches top level Gi and NoGi BJJ. Modern, sport Jiu Jitsu is practiced here in a welcoming and inclusive manor.
We absolutely love Defiant Jiu Jitsu! Kenzie has been incredible — she even allowed me to create my own homeschooling class, which meant so much to our family. From day one she was welcoming, supportive, and genuinely excited to help make it happen. Both Kenzie and Alfred are phenomenal instructors.
I used to train with Coach Dave at a different martial arts gym, and when he opened Defiant I followed him there just because of how much I love his approach to Jiu Jitsu! He's a very open-minded and kind coach, and Defiant is an ideal training spot.
Dropped in while in town for work. Gym is brand new and very clean. Professor Dave was great, very welcoming and class was fun. Excited to comeback next time I’m in town. Thanks again for having me!
New to BJJ? Start at Defiant Jiu-Jitsu
Defiant Jiu-Jitsu 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 Defiant 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.
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