BJJ Gyms in Massachusetts, United States

617 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu RJ

617 Fight Sports, operated by Neto Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Inc., is a premier martial arts academy located in Somerville, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. The academy offers comprehensive training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi), Muay Thai, and specialized programs for children as young as three years old. 617 BJJ is more than just a place to train—it embodies a champion's lifestyle. The academy welcomes students of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners, with a structured curriculum that includes Fundamentals, Intermediate, and Advanced BJJ classes. Their No-Gi program caters to those interested in submission grappling and MMA-style training. The Muay Thai program provides striking fundamentals for students looking to round out their martial arts education. The academy operates six days a week with morning, midday, and evening classes to accommodate various schedules. Their comprehensive kids programs include "Little Kids" (ages 3-6) and "Kids BJJ" (ages 7-12), teaching discipline, confidence, and self-defense in a fun, supportive environment. 617 Fight Sports prides itself on fostering a welcoming community where students train hard, support each other, and pursue excellence both on and off the mats. The academy has a strong competition culture, with students regularly competing at IBJJF events including the prestigious Boston Spring International Open.

Kimura BJJ USA

Kimura BJJ USA was founded in 2003 by Master Jean Kleber de Freitas, a 6th-degree Black Belt certified by the IBJJF, USJJF, COBJJ, and CBJJ, with over 30 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Master Jean began his journey in 1991 at age 14 in Brazil, started teaching in 1995, and earned his black belt in 2001. Before moving to the United States, he successfully established Kimura BJJ in Portugal, building a strong foundation in Europe. When Master Jean and his wife arrived in Boston in 2003 with only $2,000 but a priceless vision, they started teaching twice a week at a karate school with just five or six students. Through dedication and hard work, with his wife working 80-90 hours a week to support the dream, Kimura USA gradually grew. From 2004 to 2012, the team dominated the competition scene in the Northeast, winning almost every major tournament in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and surrounding areas. By 2016, the school had grown to over 250 students. That same year, they expanded to Boca Raton, Florida, which now has over 400 students. The Watertown location continues to thrive as a family-run academy built on real passion and values, not a franchise. The instructing team at Kimura BJJ Watertown includes highly experienced coaches: Marbnys Andrade (1st-degree black belt, head instructor), David Keefe (3rd-degree black belt with nearly 20 years of experience), Joe Bell (3rd-degree black belt with over 20 years and head instructor since 2008), Cormac Bride (1st-degree black belt, teaching since 2018), Nick Moraes (1st-degree black belt and No-Gi instructor), Andrea Muccini (black belt in BJJ and 3rd Dan in Judo, World Master Champion 2019), Nicoletta Hoctor (brown belt, women's class instructor), Lyle Del Vecchio (brown belt), Patrick "Coach Pat" Adams (brown belt), and Bryan Ueda (brown belt, morning Gi instructor). Master Jean's wife is a brown belt and two-time Pan-Am champion, and their children Mayah and Zyon have trained since age three, truly living the Kimura way of life.