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Mendocino Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 28 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Newport, Kentucky

BJJ gym Beginners welcome 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone +1 859-912-9313

Hours

Monday 10 am–12 pm, 6–8 pm
Tuesday 10 am–12 pm, 6–8 pm
Wednesday 10 am–12 pm, 6–8 pm
Thursday 10 am–12 pm, 6–8 pm
Friday 6–8 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday 10 am–12 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 Mendocino Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Great mix between beginners and experts who compete at a high-level.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“I started training at Mendocino Jiu Jitsu a little over a year ago to learn self defense and it’s been amazing.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“As an elder millennial female trying a very male dominated sport for the very first time, I was a little intimidated and unsure, but I was put at ease immediately.”

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 Mendocino Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤸 Wrestling

“Such an incredible person, and so knowledgeable in the world of Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 28 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 8 mentions

“Mendocino BJJ students crush it in competitions because they have great instructors and hard rounds!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 9 mentions

“As an elder millennial female trying a very male dominated sport for the very first time, I was a little intimidated and unsure, but I was put at ease immediately.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“It is a welcoming team atmosphere and the guys in gym really push each other.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“Great techniques, hard workers, and really welcoming!”

active competition team 4 mentions

“Great mix between beginners and experts who compete at a high-level.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“Coaching is great, The other students train hard and the price is very affordable.”

From the reviews

One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was trying this gym!! Absolutely fell in love with coming to class, Max is an amazing teacher that really focuses on technique and pushes me every class to my fullest potential and the people there are so kind and supportive.

★★★★★ — Bianca, Jun 2024

Awesome gym. Classes are focused with great instruction. Members are supportive and dedicated to helping others be better. Great mix between beginners and experts who compete at a high-level. Gym has a team atmosphere. Looking forward to going back.

★★★★★ — Matt, May 2023

Great atmosphere, great instructors, great price! Highly recommend this gym, best in the area!

★★★★★ — G, May 2023

Very friendly, good people and a nice atmosphere for beginners. Highly recommended!

★★★★★ — Jarrett, May 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 28 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Mendocino Jiu Jitsu

Mendocino Jiu Jitsu 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.

Call about beginner classes: +1 859-912-9313

Your first BJJ class at Mendocino 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.

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 Mendocino Jiu Jitsu

1400 Gloria Terrell Dr, Newport, KY41076

Get directions

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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.