BJJ in Tempe

Tempe punches well above its size as a BJJ city, concentrating several of Arizona's most competition-accomplished academies in a compact corridor along the south side of the metro. The anchor is Gustavo Dantas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy — Professor Dantas is a 6th-degree black belt and founder of the GD Association, a network of affiliated schools and an online training platform; his Tempe mat carries a roster of eight black belt instructors including 3rd-degree Mannie Romero, 2nd-degrees Jody Smith and Josh Rodriguez, and several 1st-degrees. One door away in competitive stature is Soul Fighters Headquarters, led by Augusto "Tanquinho" Mendes — a 4th-degree black belt and 6x BJJ World Champion who claims to be the only adult black belt world champion based in Arizona. The 12,700 sq.ft facility runs Gi, No-Gi, Muay Thai, and a full age-graded kids program. Jay Pages Jiu-Jitsu & MMA rounds out the top tier: Jay Pages is a 4th-degree black belt under 12-time world champion Caio Terra, affiliated with both the Caio Terra Association and BJJ Globetrotters; the gym runs 8,500 sq.ft of mat with free open mats open to all academies.

Beyond the three competition-flagships, Tempe has several respected independents. Arizona Combat Sports has been operating for 25+ years, offering BJJ alongside MMA, Muay Thai, and wrestling. Like Minded Jiu-Jitsu is run by Professor Darrell Taylor, a 4th-degree black belt with 29+ years on the mat, serving the South Phoenix and Tempe corridor. Fluid Martial Arts Academy is a family operation under first-degree black belt John T. Burns, with multiple family members on the instructor staff. Monthly dues in Tempe run $130–$175 for adult unlimited across the main academies.