HomeCaliforniaOrange › TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange

TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange

5 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Orange, California

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule tmbjjacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (714) 944-8338

Hours

Monday 9 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9:30 PM
Friday 8 AM–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–1 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 TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 18 mentions

“Thiago is very knowledgeable and Profesional and works very well with kids!”

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🩳 No-Gi

“They have No Gi and Muy Thai as well for adults that look awesome!”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“I also adore how the girls are equally considered in value and personally am thrilled that these young women are seen as equals as competitors.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“Had a private training with Professor Thyago who was so skilled, knowledgeable and a great teacher.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“After the class, open mat begun.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“They also occasionally offer self defense classes for women which I have attended and enjoyed.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“It was my first time in a gi and he helped me learn how to wear it and move properly.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“You can learn jiu jitsu and muay thai at TM Academy.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

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 34 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 8 mentions

“Great school best coaches and get to train with the best in the world can’t get anything better than that”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“TM is a welcoming environment for any belt level, and my fellow students here are respectful, they know when to just flow, and when to train hard.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“TM is a welcoming environment for any belt level, and my fellow students here are respectful, they know when to just flow, and when to train hard.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“I will definitely incorporate his techniques in my game.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“They teach them anti bullying, how to protext themselves from strangers, mental strength, etc.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“I also adore how the girls are equally considered in value and personally am thrilled that these young women are seen as equals as competitors.”

From the reviews

Visited here during vacation! The gym is very new, spacious, and clean. Love the white walls with the grey mats. Professor Thyago is meticulous in his instruction and shows stuff that he uses himself in competition. The gym environment felt safe but challenging. I will definitely incorporate his techniques in my game.

★★★★★ — Anthony, Jan 2024

If you want your kids to learn jiu-jitsu this is the place. Our 7yo son has tried other gyms before and this is one that he instantly loved. The Professor Thyago and all coaches (Alex, JP, Andres and Patty) are all so extremely patient, kind and encouraging.

★★★★★ — Crystal, Aug 2024

BRINGYOUR KIDS HERE!!! We followed Professor Thyago from our previous gym when he opened his own academy. In 2021 he began working with my sons. I was worried about my younger son, as he is a bit more stubborn and defiant than my older son. Professor is patient, kind, and instructional always.

★★★★★ — Christie, Feb 2026

I’ve been training with Professor Thyago for about 4 years now, so I can say with confidence that he is world class. TM is a welcoming environment for any belt level, and my fellow students here are respectful, they know when to just flow, and when to train hard.

★★★★★ — Royce, Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 34 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange

TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange

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 TM BJJ Academy - Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense in Orange

1815 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA92867

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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.