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Upper Cumberland MMA
5 ★★★★★ 34 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Cookeville, Tennessee
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
- Membership memberships run around $20/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
- 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule ucmmacookeville.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (931) 389-4662
Hours
| Monday | 4–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4–9 PM |
| Friday | 4–9 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–11:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
Other martial arts here
“They offer Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and great Cardio.”
“Upper Cumberland MMA is the best place in the Upper Cumberland region for mixed martial arts training.”
“Caleb has some of the fastest hands and boxing/kickboxing/jitz.”
“I've been taking kickboxing classes at Upper Cumberland for about two months now, and I couldn't be happier with my experience.”
“They offer Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and great Cardio.”
What members say
“Great instructors, Great sparring partners, great equipment, just an awesome place to train!”
“Everyone was very welcoming and I felt like the instructor (Jonathan) for BJJ really takes his time teaching the new people and making them feel comfortable.”
“Everyone was very welcoming and I felt like the instructor (Jonathan) for BJJ really takes his time teaching the new people and making them feel comfortable.”
“I’ve seen noticeable improvements in my technique and fitness level, and I'm excited to continue training here.”
“I've been going to the 11 o'clock classes and I sweat more in the time that I'm there than I ever have going to the gym.”
“They offer Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and great Cardio.”
From the reviews
I love UCMMA! I feel pushed to the limit each and every time I go in there. The class atmosphere makes working out fun! I've been going to this gym for 8 months and I can honestly say I have never been bored! Each trainer offers something different and new to keep the workout interesting.
I've been taking kickboxing classes at Upper Cumberland for about two months now, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. The gym offers a fantastic range of training options, including kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and mixed martial arts, which is perfect for anyone looking to improve their skills in multiple…
Best MMA training in uppercumberland region. Instructors are awesome and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend Uppercumberland Mixed Martial Arts for all your training needs.
I started the jiu jitsu program here about 5 months ago with no prior knowledge and without having done any serious physical training in years. Now, I'm constantly trying to improve myself in other aspects of life to make sure I can keep BJJ in my life for years to come.
New to BJJ? Start at Upper Cumberland MMA
Upper Cumberland MMA 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.
Your first BJJ class at Upper Cumberland MMA
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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