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Marcelo Mafra BJJ
4.8 ★★★★★ 35 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hesperia, 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 (ages 3–15) — 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 mafrabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–12 pm, 3:30–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–12 pm, 3:30–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–12 pm, 3:30–9 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–12 pm, 3:30–9 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–12 pm, 3:30–9 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–12:30 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–12:30 pm |
The classes they run
“I've been here with my husband and kids since 2021 and still love it.”
“(baring any tournaments where most of the academy goes along for coaching and support) the gym is open 7 days a week.”
“They help guide some of that energy in a positive direction with training from beginners classes to advanced.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“They help guide some of that energy in a positive direction with training from beginners classes to advanced.”
“Mafra has not only helped her develop character, but they have also established a family environment for our family.”
“My kids have been going here for 2 years. We love it so much!”
“(baring any tournaments where most of the academy goes along for coaching and support) the gym is open 7 days a week.”
“Very happy to have signed my sons up to be part of the Checkmat Team!”
From the reviews
Best Jiu-jitsu gym un High Desert! I've been here with my husband and kids since 2021 and still love it. There are new features and classes, and more changes are in the works.
This is not only a great place to train in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu but the only place you will get traditional Brazilian Jiu-jitsu taught by a multiple time Worlds and Pan American champion. No other Jiu-Jitsu academy in the High Desert can make that claim. With a great kids program that has classes 5 days a week.
My kids have been going here for 2 years. We love it so much! Marcelo is amazing with the kids and has wonderful coaches. It’s a good family atmosphere and the tournaments are so much fun!! My children have become great competitors under his and his coaches instruction ! High highly highly recommend !
Me and my boys have been with Marcelo checkmatmafra for years. Not only is Marcelo an amazing professor who helps you reach your goals whatever they are, but his goals and methodologies are aligned with what you'd want instilled in your children.
New to BJJ? Start at Marcelo Mafra BJJ
Marcelo Mafra BJJ 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 Marcelo Mafra BJJ
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. 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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