BJJ Gyms in Missouri, United States

Arnold Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Arnold Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a full-service Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy located in Arnold, Missouri, serving the greater St. Louis area. Founded and led by Coach Kirk Huff, who has trained and competed in Jiu-Jitsu since 2007, the academy offers a comprehensive martial arts program rooted in the traditional lineage from Mitsuyo Maeda to the Gracie family. The academy provides a welcoming training environment for students of all ages and skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced competitors. With a strong emphasis on both sport grappling and practical self-defense, Arnold BJJ teaches authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques with both gi and no-gi training options, wrestling for BJJ, and specialized competition preparation classes. Coach Kirk Huff brings extensive experience as both a BJJ competitor and professional MMA fighter. With numerous grappling competition victories including NAGA championships and a winning MMA record in promotions such as Shamrock FC, Kirk offers students well-rounded instruction that encompasses not only sport grappling but also striking, wrestling, and practical self-defense techniques. The academy prides itself on maintaining flexible membership options with no long-term contracts, family discounts, and currently offers a free week trial for new students.

Fight To Win Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the only certified Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu team in the Charlotte area, with multiple locations across North Carolina and beyond. Under the close scrutiny of UFC legend Royce Gracie, Fight To Win focuses on authentic Gracie Self-Defense techniques developed by Grand Master Helio Gracie, emphasizing leverage and technique that allow smaller practitioners to defend against larger opponents. The academy has been recognized as "The Best School In the South East" by the North American Grappling Association and has led the team to win several MMA fights and countless World, National, State, and regional medals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The training philosophy at Fight To Win centers on systematic learning through the traditional Gracie Self-Defense system, which puts Jiu-Jitsu into real-life situations including strikes, takedowns, clinch work, and ground techniques. The academy caters to both recreational students seeking a lifestyle change and competitive athletes, with programs ranging from fundamentals to advanced training. Classes emphasize proper movement, balance, technical precision, and the development of a personal style for each student. Professor Steve Hall serves as the Lead Instructor and holds a 4th Degree Black Belt under Master Royce Gracie, making him one of the highest-ranked American BJJ Black Belts in the country. Steve began training in 1998 and received his black belt in October 2006, becoming only the 9th Royce Gracie black belt given in the world and Royce's fastest black belt at just eight years of training. His lineage traces through Mitsuyo Maeda > Helio Gracie > Royce Gracie/Charles dos Anjos > Steve Hall. Steve is also a Senior Referee for the North American Grappling Association and has extensive experience in mixed martial arts competition. The teaching team includes several black belts under the Royce Gracie/Steve Hall lineage, including Nick Spirito, Dan Baileys, and Mark Kerkhoff, along with experienced brown and purple belt instructors.

10th Planet Crystal City, MO

Eric Longar is a professional Jiu Jitsu athlete with over five years of coaching experience. Originally introduced to Jiu jitsu at Tenth Planet Saint Louis in 2011, he then trained under Professor Bobby Willams Jr (Ricardo Almiada affiliation) where he helped organize Tenth Planet Tokyo’s Hot Box. On his return to the US, Eric trained under Ronin Jiu Jitsu (Gokor Chivichyan affiliation) before he returned to Tenth Planet in Las Vegas. There, he was also coached by Casey Halstead (an Eddie Bravo first degree black belt) who actively works with some of the most experienced and well-respected MMA fighters in the world. He is an active Jiu Jitsu competitor who has competed in Japan and all over the United states, most notably in the Professional Grappling Federation Season One. Taking pride in developing homegrown MMA talents and Jiu Jitsu athletes from day one, he works closely with everyone from students with no Martial Arts experience to athletes at the peak of their careers. On top of being a master of his craft, Eric’s style of coaching and instruction pushes the limits of his team to come together and work to build the community up. He has a reputation of hard work while promoting a family friendly environment where people from all walks of life have fun while striving for greatness. He lives a life devoted to inspiring his team to live a mentally and physically healthy lifestyle and pursue higher personal and professional goals.

10th Planet Kansas City, MO

Lone Wolf MMA is the proud home of 10Th Planet Jiu Jitsu Kansas City. Since opening in 2004, Lone Wolf has been focused on mixed martial arts, specifically No Gi Jiu Jitsu. This focus led the gym to naturally gravitate toward 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. Lone Wolf offers classes and private instruction in: Head instructor, Jeremy Whorton has been training in martial arts for 18 years. After many years of serving as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, Jeremy enjoyed a successful MMA career in the Kansas City area. Lone Wolf has trained many successful fighters who have won numerous armature MMA titles and the ISCF world title. They have also had professional fighters win in Titan FC and King of the Cage.

Clever Combat

Clever Combat Jiu-Jitsu & MMA in Latham, New York provides a unique zen-like atmosphere enhanced by a carnivorous plant nursery. Founded in 2017 by William Schwartz and four friends who trained together for 20 years, the academy was created to promote positivity and avoid the toxic culture sometimes found in martial arts schools. The gym offers comprehensive training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi), MMA, Muay Thai/Kickboxing, Wrestling, and even Yoga classes. The academy emphasizes free thinking and a cerebral approach to training while maintaining high competitive standards. With multiple experienced instructors available during training sessions, Clever Combat has become one of the strongest competitive teams in the Albany Capital District area. The gym offers programs for all ages (kids 4-12 and adults 13+) and skill levels, with a flexible "Troubleshooting" class that allows students to work on specific needs across different disciplines. Head instructor William "Bill" Schwartz earned his black belt from Julio Ceaser Fernandez Nunes in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 after over 20 years of training. The core instructor team includes black belts Jeff Hart (promoted 2022, trained 25+ years), Adrian Uribe (promoted 2023, started at age 33), and Benji Anastasio (trained under Daniel Moraes in Brazil). Additional instructors include purple belt Anthony Doria (kids coach) and striking coach Tarry Marbley (10+ years experience). Bill's philosophy ensures money or physical ability are never barriers to training, welcoming everyone from casual hobbyists to professional fighters.