BJJ in Chicago

Chicago is one of the deepest BJJ markets in the United States, and easily the most lineage-dense city between the coasts. The headline academy is Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters — Carlson Gracie Sr.'s last U.S. base before his passing, and still the upstream affiliation for a wide swath of city independents including Lakeside BJJ, Vianna Brothers, Bender Martial Arts, Double Five, Dynamite Kickboxing, and BJJ X Yoga Studio.

The second pillar is the Gracie Barra Redzovic family — Idriz Redzovic and his brothers run Stronghold, Supreme Jiu-Jitsu, Southside Jiu Jitsu Club, Brazil 021, Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club, and Gracie Barra Chicago, giving Gracie Barra unusual saturation across the city. Renzo Gracie is represented by Rodrigo Uflacker's well-known Uflacker Academy, plus TDC MMA and Ralph Gracie Chicago. 10th Planet Chicago and Hybrid Martial Arts cover the no-gi / Eddie Bravo corner. Pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu flies the Checkmat flag. The city also runs a deep independent bench (North Side BJJ, Valko, Taylor Biagi, Fonseca, The Bridge, Jiu-Jitsu Institute, Chicago School of Grappling, Movimento, Foundation), plus the usual UFC GYM and big-box options. Expect $130-$180/mo for adult unlimited; Loop and Lincoln Park locations skew toward the top of that band.