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South Brooklyn BJJ @ Darfight
5 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Brooklyn, New York
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
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule southbrooklynbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 917-748-9781
Hours
| Monday | 12 pm–2 am |
| Tuesday | 12 pm–2 am |
| Wednesday | 12 pm–2 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm–2 am |
| Friday | 12 pm–2 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm–2 am |
| Sunday | 12 pm–2 am |
The classes they run
“High level head coach Gene was very respectable and conducts class in an educational/ open mat environment.”
“Every session is a perfect blend of technical drills, live sparring, and practical application, providing both a great workout and valuable self-defense skills.”
“Having never trained in any combat sports before, I can confidently say this is a very beginner-friendly environment.”
Other martial arts here
“One of the best MMA/BJJ gyms for locals in south brooklyn looking to get some extra training in, or looking to learn BJJ.”
“There are always guys to wrestle with 💪 Don't hesitate, looking forward to seeing you there😉”
What members say
“Geene is an amazing instructor who encourages you to grow and helps you to identify and improve your strongest skills.”
“Having never trained in any combat sports before, I can confidently say this is a very beginner-friendly environment.”
“Having never trained in any combat sports before, I can confidently say this is a very beginner-friendly environment.”
“His ability to analyze what works and what doesn’t, how moves work differently for different people, breaking down technique, etc.”
“Every session is a perfect blend of technical drills, live sparring, and practical application, providing both a great workout and valuable self-defense skills.”
“The grappling techniques taught here are excellent, not just for competition but also for self-defense.”
From the reviews
I had an amazing time at this BJJ class! The atmosphere is super friendly and welcoming, with a diverse group of people that makes it even better. The coach is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor, which makes learning fun and engaging.
Great experience with trainer Gene, very polite people, high level technical moves practice and also any weight category partners for roll. Highly recommend!
I have been training here for 5 years and this is one of the best and friendly gyms I have ever been to. I started my jiujitsu journey here and can confidently say Gene has given me the skills to thrive in any gym I enter
I know one of the instructors personally for many years. First of all Gene is an exceptional human being, he is kind and means well. He is also a man of great patience, integrity and talent, as well as an accomplished BJJ wrestler and instructor.
New to BJJ? Start at South Brooklyn BJJ @ Darfight
South Brooklyn BJJ @ Darfight 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 South Brooklyn BJJ @ Darfight
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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