BJJ Gyms in Minnesota, United States

10th Planet St. Paul, MN

Next Level Combat is the home to 10th Planet Jiu jitsu St. Paul, Minnesota. Opening in July 2010, Next Level Combat has since gained a lot of recognition in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area as being the premier no gi jiu jitsu training facility. We also offer gi Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and MMA training to fit the needs of everyone from the casual jiu jitsu practitioner to the full time Mixed Martial Arts competitor. We strive to offer the best instruction and training for our students. Our training facility has top of the line equipment and is a clean and safe training environment. Located in Woodbury, MN, we are just east of St. Paul, MN and close to two major highways for easy access to our school. The #1 Gym for Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA, and Youth Martial Arts in the Twin Cities.

Checkmat Woodbury

Defiant Jiu-Jitsu opened its doors to the Woodbury, Minnesota community in late 2024, founded by owners Dave Margraf and Kenzie Swartz. The school serves the Woodbury, St. Paul, and Oakdale communities with a mission to bring people together through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The academy is proudly certified as a We Defy Foundation Training Facility, partnering with WDF to provide combat veterans coping with military-connected disabilities a long-term means to overcome their challenges through BJJ and fitness training. The training philosophy at Defiant emphasizes camaraderie, discipline, and hard work. Students are empowered through learning self-defense, improving fitness, and building skills for competition while becoming proficient in BJJ, grappling, and submission wrestling. The academy applies a hands-on approach during instruction that supports individual fitness goals and allows students to truly enjoy themselves. The school offers programs tailored to meet a wide set of goals—from character development in kids' classes to technique refinement for adults, and empowerment and support at women's-only events. Head instructor Dave Margraf is a black belt who has trained for over 20 years with nearly a decade as an instructor, earning his black belt in 2016 and winning multiple IBJJF competitions. Kenzie Margraf, who runs the youth program, is a certified personal trainer with a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology (exercise science) and a minor in sports coaching. She offers personal training for general fitness and specializes in programming tailored to Jiu-Jitsu athletes. With their combined experience, Dave and Kenzie have built a strong culture where positivity grows through camaraderie and encouragement between students and instructors. The school hosts frequent open mat opportunities, guest seminars, and women's-only events to provide comprehensive training experiences.