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Modern Jiu-Jitsu Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 244 Google reviews · BJJ gym in McAllen, Texas

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi 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
  • 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 mdrnjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (956) 655-3325

Hours

Monday 8 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–9 PM
Thursday 8 AM–9 PM
Friday 8 AM–7 PM
Saturday 10 AM–6 PM
Sunday Closed

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 Modern Jiu-Jitsu Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 21 mentions

“The teaching style, the environment there, the people are friendly, they have an awesome kids program that my nephew is now a part of.”

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🩳 No-Gi

“Both GI and No GI classes are available.”

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🥋 Gi 2 mentions

“Both GI and No GI classes are available.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“And, if your looking for a great competition team this is the place to be!”

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🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

“I was able to join an open mat at Modern Jiu-Jitsu while traveling from out of town and had absolutely the best experience!”

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🌱 Beginners 9 mentions

“The coaching staff works well with everyone ranging from beginners to advanced practitioners, and the environment is very welcoming.”

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What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 244 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Professor Manny and his coaches are amazing, I love that they take time to help my boys improve their technique daily.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 12 mentions

“The coaching staff works well with everyone ranging from beginners to advanced practitioners, and the environment is very welcoming.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“The coaches are really good at teaching and cover a multitude of details, there are many friendly, experienced people to help you out as well.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 10 mentions

“The coaches are really good at teaching and cover a multitude of details, there are many friendly, experienced people to help you out as well.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“The teaching style, the environment there, the people are friendly, they have an awesome kids program that my nephew is now a part of.”

active competition team 2 mentions

“My son has competed a few times already & the coaches are always present providing the best support & coaching that they can have.”

From the reviews

My son loves coming to Modern Jiu Jitsu! All of the instructors are so nice and work well with him as well as all of the other children. It has been an awesome experience so far seeing my son grow and learn. I highly recommend and am glad we chose to go with them.

★★★★★ — Sarah, Oct 2018

Friendly, knowledgeable, patient coaches. If you have any doubts which martial arts to pick. This is the one. I have 2 kids in this school and they really enjoy it.

★★★★★ — Jose, Apr 2019

My husband goes here, he started Jiu Jitsu in Austin and when we moved back down to the valley, he searched and visited different bjj gyms and he says that none compare to modern. The teaching style, the environment there, the people are friendly, they have an awesome kids program that my nephew is now a part of.

★★★★★ — Laura, Apr 2021

Having never trained in Jiu Jitsu before, it was a rather intimidating to walk in to a gym, at age 42 and start training. Looking back a year and a half later, it was one of the best decisions of my life.

★★★★★ — Mj, Oct 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 244 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Modern Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Modern Jiu-Jitsu Academy 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 Modern Jiu-Jitsu Academy

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 Modern Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5305 N 23rd St, McAllen, TX78504

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.