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Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA

5 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Dyersburg, Tennessee

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons 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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule facebook.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (731) 318-6876

Hours

Monday 4–8 PM
Tuesday 4–8 PM
Wednesday 4–8 PM
Thursday 4–8 PM
Friday 6–8 PM
Saturday 10 AM–2 PM
Sunday 3–4:30 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 Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“For anything from children's anti-bullying to adult self-defense to purely sport-based jiu-jitsu, you will have a hard time finding a better teacher, mentor, and role model.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🏆 Competition Team

“It’s rare to find a gym that teaches both self defense and tournament style perspectives.”

All gyms that run competition team →

👤 Private Lessons

“When you take a class with John you will sometimes feel like you’re taking a private lesson.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“For anything from children's anti-bullying to adult self-defense to purely sport-based jiu-jitsu, you will have a hard time finding a better teacher, mentor, and role model.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“If you're new and looking for the first time or an experienced grappler you won't be able to better than Dogwood Bjj.”

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 Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

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 32 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“John and Riss are great coaches who take the extra time to work with students to perfect techniques and yet still have a fun and safe learning environment.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“If you're new and looking for the first time or an experienced grappler you won't be able to better than Dogwood Bjj.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 11 mentions

“Dogwood is a great place to train BJJ, the instructor and students are very knowledgeable and friendly.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 10 mentions

“John and Riss are great coaches who take the extra time to work with students to perfect techniques and yet still have a fun and safe learning environment.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“I lost 30 pounds in 3 months!”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“For anything from children's anti-bullying to adult self-defense to purely sport-based jiu-jitsu, you will have a hard time finding a better teacher, mentor, and role model.”

From the reviews

Affordable! Classes for all ages! Classes every day of the week to accommodate different schedules. My kids enjoy it, my wife enjoys the ladies group. Give Dogwood a try. The instructors have years of experience and the group that goes is well rounded from new comers to folks with 10 plus years..

★★★★★ — Caleb, Apr 2023

Great gym with fantastic coaches. It’s rare to find a gym that teaches both self defense and tournament style perspectives. Also great for just getting in shape if you are like me and hate running. Don’t be intimidated. My only regret is not joining earlier.

★★★★★ — Nick, Apr 2023

I joined Team Dogwood a year ago to learn to grapple, to get in shape, and to learn self defense. Turns out, I was given way more than I expected. My mental health rapidly improved in a very short time! I lost 30 pounds in 3 months!

★★★★★ — Gena, Apr 2023

I have known coach John 7 years, f not a little bit more. He has always been a great practitioner in Jiu-Jitsu. His ability to verbally and physically pass on the details of a technique are fantastic. Through the years I have seen him grow into a great Jiu-jitsu artist.

★★★★★ — Erik, Sep 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 32 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA

Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA

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 Dogwood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA

825 E Court St, Dyersburg, TN38024

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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.