In the heart of Jacksonville, Florida, the quest for the ultimate MMA gym ends here.
We’ve scoured the city to bring you a curated selection of top-tier MMA gyms. Each spot boasts a unique blend of martial arts disciplines, perfect for fueling your fighter’s spirit.
Ready to explore? Let’s jump into the lineup!
Table of Contents
Elevate MMA
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: Jacksonville Beach, Florida
- Coaches: Preston Parsons, Cord Poe
Elevate MMA is a top-notch gym located in Jacksonville Beach. It’s a place to train where the atmosphere is fun and friendly, fostering a passionate experience amongst the students.
They offer a variety of classes, including Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, and Wrestling.
They even have a Women’s Kickboxing class and a Kids’ Program, making it a gym that caters to every aspiring fighter, regardless of who they are.
The gym is led by Preston Parsons, a UFC fighter and Jacksonville Beach native. As well as Cord Poe, a UFC Cornerman and striking coach.
These guys know their stuff and are dedicated to sharing their knowledge with their students inside the gym.
It’s also a gym with a growing roster of amateur and professionally competing fighters, so you’d be in good company for learning.
They offer a free trial class, so you can get a taste before you commit.
So, whether you’re a beginner looking to start your MMA journey or a seasoned fighter looking to elevate your skills, Elevate MMA is worth checking out.
Art of War Jiu-Jitsu
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 4625 Subchaser Ct, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Phone: (910) 939-0598
Art of War Jiu-Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialized gym best for people who love BJJ. If not, there are other programs to try too.
There are kids BJJ (ages 4-7), juniors BJJ (ages 8-12), teens BJJ (ages 13-19), and adult BJJ (ages 20+).
Strike fit and fight fit is open for all. It focuses on whole-body workouts to help you lose that extra weight while using striking techniques.
If you’re looking for a gym to grow old with, this is a good choice. Child-friendly environment and versatile programs will surely make students appreciate the art of war.
Bill Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association Inc
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 11701 San Jose Blvd #24, Jacksonville, FL 32223
- Phone: (904) 666-7036
Bill Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association Inc. is a pure Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu gym.
It promises to give high-level BJJ training to all ages and genders. If you’re a person who aims to hone your ground game, trying Bill BJJ may be the best decision that you’ll ever make.
Professor Bill heads them: a 5x Brazilian national champion and 5th-degree BJJ black belt.
Programs suited for kids and adults are available. The beginner’s class is suitable for new teens and adults, plus there’s an advanced class for the more hardened grappler.
Bill’s BJJ also shows its support for women. They offer a remarkable women’s self-defense class. This activity includes basic BJJ moves that will help women in times of danger.
Gracie Barra Jacksonville
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 8210 Cypress Plaza Dr Suite 104, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Phone: (904) 716-8600
Gracie Barra Jacksonville is another top-level BJJ gym by Professor Roberto Cuartero III.
However, If you’re somehow tired of getting on the mats, you can also try their Kickboxing program.
Their BJJ classes are separated into Kids BJJ (ages 4-13) and Adults BJJ (ages 15+). Kickboxing, on the other hand, is welcome to all.
What makes this gym special is its summer camp programs. Every summer, they invite all to join. In this camp, students get to learn a lot of things.
This can be self-defense, gymnastics, body awareness, and more!
If you’re a parent looking for a good gym for your child, consider this option.
With their unique programs, you can expect that anyone who comes out of the gym is a much better version of themselves.
Jacksonville Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 9759 San Jose Blvd Suite #3, Jacksonville, FL 32257
- Phone: (904) 487-9299
Jacksonville Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a Jiu-Jitsu gym that offers touches of several martial arts. They offer top-of-the-line BJJ, Wrestling, Muay Thai, and overall self-defense. Brazil-raised Jiu-Jitsu expert Luiz Palhares founded the gym
They also have the 23rd-ranked BJJ fighter in the world, Pedro Palhares. He is also the founder’s son.
They offer various BJJ classes that are flexible for all skill levels. You can join the beginner’s class that teaches the fundamentals.
An intermediate course is also available for 3-stripes white belts. The advanced level is for 4-stripes blue belts. Lastly, you need to have a 2-stripes white belt for No-Gi.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a home for countless elite black belts. Are you aspiring to be included beside their names? Be sure to sign up and have the chance to get your first two sessions for free.
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Jacksonville
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 4849 Dawin Rd #2, Jacksonville, FL 32207
- Phone: (904) 712-0217
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Jacksonville is a versatile Jiu-Jitsu gym that offers numerous possibilities.
10th Planet offers a whopping 2500 sq ft of mats. This area is utilized by their No-Gi BJJ, Wrestling, and MMA classes.
Aside from that, they also give self-defense training for kids being bullied.
Despite being a competitive gym, they ensure that whatever they teach works not only on the cage and mats.
They promise that these will work in a street fight too. So if you’re looking for a gym that gives practical techniques, this gym is for you.
Above all that, they are also strict when it comes to hygiene. 10th Planet implements rules such as no gum on mats, clean as you go, etc.
This doesn’t only teach students to be clean but also to be more responsible.
Invictus Jiu-Jitsu
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 2186 Park Ave Unit 101, Orange Park, FL 32073
- Phone: (904) 878-2740
Invictus Jiu Jitsu is one more child-friendly school that offers BJJ and Muay Thai. Invictus welcomes children ages 4-7 in their junior bracket.
If you want to sharpen your skills at a young age, go for Invictus, as there are classes for young kids and teens.
What makes this gym noteworthy is the unique things that it can offer.
Invictus has a wellness service program where you’ll get to experience a relaxing massage and even acupuncture.
Invictus allows you to loosen your muscles up after vigorous training.
This will allow your body to heal faster, leaving more space for improvement. If you’re looking for a gym like this, the search is over.
Smiley Academy of Martial Arts
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 10+ years in business · Orange Park, FL
- Phone: (904) 644-7571
Smiley Academy is a Mixed Martial Arts focused gym that welcomes everyone. They offer top-notch MMA, Kickboxing, and BJJ.
They also teach the traditional Cuban style of Boxing. Smiley Academy is waiting for you if you want to try something new.
Smiley Academy is open to children as young as three years old. Here they offer a special place for kids called Kids Zone.
They teach children how to build self-discipline and confidence and help the young ones to deal with bullying.
Smiley Academy’s doors are open Monday to Saturday. There are also morning and evening classes and private sessions if you book with them directly ahead of time.
Champion Kenpo Karate & Kickboxing, LLC
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 4261 Eldridge Loop, Orange Park, FL 32073
- Phone: (904) 602-5500
Champion Kenpo Karate is a gym that offers a unique Asian martial art. They allow their students to experience authentic Asian culture through Kenpo Karate.
But they are also mixing it up with high-end Kickboxing lessons to provide variety to their programs.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or new to the sport; there’s a place for you here. Kids’ classes for both Karate and Kickboxing are available.
Women are also welcome, supporting their empowerment in martial arts and self-defense.
Are you sick and tired of typical gyms that offer the same combat sport? Give Champion Kenpo a try.
You might find a new love in this gym. Not to mention, your first class will be free.
Jax Muay Thai
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Muay Thai
- Location: 14255 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32250
- Phone: (904) 500-5425
Jax Muay Thai is a Muay Thai gym with a mission to empower students to reach their full potential.
They offer Taekwondo and Muay Thai classes for youngsters. Moreover, Muay Thai, Boxing, and KickBoxing are open to adults.
Their Inner Warrior program makes them unique compared to other gyms on this list.
It’s where students get to meditate, do Yoga, and partake in flexibility training. Students will improve spiritually and bring out their inner warriors with this program.
You can buy protective gear inside the gym itself. Having this protective equipment available promotes a safer training environment for everyone.
Brazilian Top Team
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 13529 Beach Blvd #207B, Jacksonville, FL
- Phone: (904) 440-8934
Brazilian Top Team is a gym known for its top-notch BJJ training.
They offer authentic Jiu-Jitsu techniques fresh from Brazil. If you want to be trained by highly experienced athletes, BTT Jax is a good option.
BTT Jax is headed by Marcello “Salazar” Bergo, a 4th-degree black belt.
Upon entering the gym’s vicinity, you will be welcomed by a 1600 sq ft mat. An undoubtedly expansive space that gives students a lot of room for training.
BTT originated from Brazil and has managed to produce monsters in the MMA scene.
One of which is the former UFC Light-Heavyweight champion, Vitor Belfort. Now that it’s here in JAX, don’t miss the chance to train with them.
Karate America
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 950 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32065
- Phone: (904) 276-2344
Karate America is a gym that teaches Kickboxing, Karate, and Taekwondo to all ages.
What’s unique about this gym is they also offer Krav Maga which is particularly good at aiding in improving your self-defense awareness and giving techniques to protect yourself.
Karate America is founded by Master Clark, an 8th-degree black belt of Karate, and has been a consistently well-rated gym in its area for over 35 years.
Other than martial arts for adults, they also give a chance to the little ones to experience the fun.
If you’re looking for a well-known school that offers something unique, why not give Karate America a shot?