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Mako Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing
4.9 ★★★★★ 168 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Tucson, 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 7) — 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 makobjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 520-870-9431
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 am, 11:30 am–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7 am, 10–11 am, 11:30 am–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7 am, 10–11 am, 11:30 am–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7 am, 10–11 am, 11:30 am–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 11:30 am–1 pm, 4–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | 5–6:30 pm |
The classes they run
“The coaches are phenomenal—especially with the kids—keeping them motivated, engaged, and disciplined, all while making the experience fun and enjoyable.”
“There are competitors and hobbyists, everyone blends.”
“They offer a few free classes, open mats, and a month to month no obligation payment option.”
“I have never trained at a better 6am class having been a member of 6 different gyms over the years and dropping in to dozens more.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“Chris is an excellent instructor and the mats are always packed with high level colored belts.”
“Having come from another gym that closed down, they helped make the transition easy and welcoming.”
“It’s been an incredible experience for our whole family, and it’s bittersweet to say goodbye for now — but we will definitely be back!”
“The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and have a way of breaking down techniques that makes everything click, no matter your experience level.”
“We wanted our children to learn discipline, structure, and humility, and Mako delivered that in the best way possible.”
“Two mats, clean environment and relaxed atmosphere really makes this a top notch place to train.”
From the reviews
One visit to this dojo and you'll realize that this place has a great all around vibe that feels like HOME. New member specials include instruction from not one but two black belts with a strong, proud, and reputable legacy to descend from.
My family and I trained jiu jitsu in Tucson for several years now. We joined Mako last June and wished we had trained at Mako sooner. Every coach is genuinely attentive to their students. Coach Mike and Coach Ivan are outstanding people and have welcomed my family and me from day one. Mats are spacious and clean.
If I could give 10 stars for Mako, I without a doubt would!! My son started his jiu-jitsu path in Colorado and we absolutely loved his coach and gym there. We moved to AZ and I was dreading having to find a new gym and starting all over. We toured and watched a class at two gyms prior to finding Mako.
Wow, the environment here is tremendously welcoming. This place is affordable, it’s about $30-50 less than what I’d find other gyms cost. They offer a few free classes, open mats, and a month to month no obligation payment option. They’re receptive to an individual’s goals.
New to BJJ? Start at Mako Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing
Mako Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing 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 Mako Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing
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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