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Evolve Jiu Jitsu Muay Thai
5 ★★★★★ 69 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Mission Viejo, California
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 — 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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule joinevolve.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 949-503-3328
Hours
| Monday | 8:30 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My son who is 6 years old and I have started our Jiu Jitsu journey at Evolve and sincerely couldn't be more excited about our decision.”
“I originally brought my teen daughter here, hoping she’d build confidence and learn something new and she absolutely loves it.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train and grow both in Gi and Nogi jiu-jitsu, I highly recommend Evolve!”
“If you’re looking for a place to train and grow both in Gi and Nogi jiu-jitsu, I highly recommend Evolve!”
“It's been an amazing transformation since my son started and now he's looking forward to competing in his first tournament soon.”
“It’s no longer just about learning self-defense or staying active—it’s about community, connection, friendship, and, for me personally, mental health and stability.”
“I was immediately welcomed by such a great group of people of all levels to train with and such a nice training facility.”
Other martial arts here
“I mainly practice Jiu Jitsu but Evolve also has a great Muay Thai program so you get a very well rounded and battle tested martial arts education here at Evolve.”
“As a 50 year old dad with no wrestling or martial art background extreme gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such amazing community.”
“My son had 2 years combined of Taekwondo and Kenpo karate.”
What members say
“Professor Todd is a great teacher, he breaks down moves well, and I always feel that I get personal clarification for anything that isn’t sticking with me.”
“Professor Todd has really created a welcoming and comfortable environment at Evolve and we are so thankful to to him for bringing the art of Ju Jitsu to our Community”
“I’m not gonna lie—coming to the first class was intimidating—but the community is so welcoming and supportive that those nerves quickly disappear, and you just start having fun.”
“It’s one thing to be skilled, but it’s another to break techniques down in a way kids can truly understand and he does that exceptionally well.”
“I came into jujitsu on the heavier side, thinking that I wasn’t ready and of course I needed to wait for the right time until I lost weight to begin my journey.”
“It's given my daughter profound confidence in herself and to never stop fighting no matter how hard the challenge.”
From the reviews
Enrolled both of my sons in muay thai and jiu jitsu. Coach Todd and team are extremely knowledgeable and supportive. Over the last year I've watched my boys develop their confidence and self control. Todd is a firm yet caring coach, that takes a no nonsense approach with his students. Highly impressed with this gym.
Above and beyond all expectations! We didn't know what to expect when starting Jiu Jitsu. My son had 2 years combined of Taekwondo and Kenpo karate. After we moved here, we didn't think it was possible to find as good a dojo as we left...turns out we couldn't have been more wrong!
This place is an absolute blessing! I came into jujitsu on the heavier side, thinking that I wasn’t ready and of course I needed to wait for the right time until I lost weight to begin my journey.
My daughter (9) and I (48) have been training at Evolve for several years now, and we absolutely love it! The values and core tenants of jiu jitsu have had such as positive impact on our lives. It's given my daughter profound confidence in herself and to never stop fighting no matter how hard the challenge.
New to BJJ? Start at Evolve Jiu Jitsu Muay Thai
Evolve Jiu Jitsu Muay Thai 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 Evolve Jiu Jitsu Muay Thai
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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