About
Peninsula Jiu Jitsu offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, including Mini Groms foundation-based Jiu Jitsu, Groms & Jr. Teens Jiu Jitsu, a Teens Jiu Jitsu program, and an Adults Jiu Jitsu program. The program also offers Adults – Fundamentals and Adults – Technics Jiu Jitsu classes, Jiu Jitsu-based games, private Jiu Jitsu classes, and workshops with guest instructors from the Gracie Allegiance Team created by Clark Gracie.
• Ages: 3.5–18 years old
• Schedule: Beginning June 1, the summer schedule includes a mixed-ages Groms Class for ages 6–11, a Teens Class for ages 12 and up, and a pause of Adults classes for June and July; all private sessions are approximately 45 minutes.
Peninsula Jiu Jitsu was established in 2021 at its first location in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and was formerly known as Phillips Jiu Jitsu. The program’s stated vision is to provide a unique experience bridging traditional Gracie Jiu Jitsu to modern sport Jiu Jitsu and describes itself as “Family Focused Jiu Jitsu Serving The Palos Verdes Peninsula.” Peninsula Jiu Jitsu is part of the Gracie Allegiance Team created by Clark Gracie and specializes in serving the entire family starting as young as 3.5 years old.
The Mini Groms curriculum focuses on Jiu Jitsu-based games, core fundamental movements, and building block techniques of Jiu Jitsu, and the Mini Groms class maintains a space for kids to be kids while developing primary learning skills for Jiu Jitsu. The Groms & Jr. Teens class is divided into two separate groups based on age and skill level, and older teens are allowed to attend Adults classes as well. The Adults – Fundamentals class has no open sparring and uses only specific sparring constrained to related techniques and is geared for beginners at any age or physical level, while the Adults – Technics class emphasizes sparring and practicality. The studio offers workshops throughout the year with guest instructors from the Gracie Allegiance Team.
Peninsula Jiu Jitsu has a leadership team that includes Brian Phillips as Founder, Second Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and Youth Head Instructor; Nicole Phillips as Co-founder, Director of Operations, and Kids Instructor; Menamy Mitanes as Adults Head Instructor; and Daisy Gonzalez as Kids Instructor. Brian Phillips is a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, was awarded his black belt in 2017 by Professor Chris Haueter, has trained consistently in the Gi since the age of nineteen, and has foundations in Jiu Jitsu from the Gracie and Machado Family and several of their first generation black belts, with gold medals and podium finishes at every belt leading up to black belt; he holds a bachelor’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and a master’s degree from Pace University. Nicole Phillips is a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu, a silver medalist at The IBJJF New York Open, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Manhattan College. Menamy Mitanes is a Rigan Machado 2nd degree Black Belt with over 25 years of experience, trained extensively under Rickson Gracie from white to purple belt, is also a Judo Black Belt, a master instructor in the Russian art of Systema, has extensive training in JKD under Dan Inosanto, Paul Vanuk, and Pat Strong, holds a bachelor’s degree from NYU, and is the head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor at Rigan Machado’s The Academy in Beverly Hills, California. Daisy Gonzalez is a Purple Belt under Professor Andre “Alemão” Vascconcellos with multiple wins across IBJJF and Jiu Jitsu World League competitions, has competed in some of the largest tournaments in the sport, and has earned consistent podium finishes.
Peninsula Jiu Jitsu is described as a premium boutique Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio with a state-of-the-art facility that includes two separate mat areas, two bathrooms, one shower, a lobby, and a designated parking lot. The studio is part of the Gracie Allegiance Team created by Clark Gracie and serves the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A testimonial from Kids Instructor Daisy Gonzalez states, “As much as I love competing, nothing is more rewarding to me than helping the next generation build confidence, discipline, and a love for jiu jitsu.”
Last updated July 27, 2026.
• Ages: 3.5–18 years old
• Schedule: Beginning June 1, the summer schedule includes a mixed-ages Groms Class for ages 6–11, a Teens Class for ages 12 and up, and a pause of Adults classes for June and July; all private sessions are approximately 45 minutes.
Peninsula Jiu Jitsu was established in 2021 at its first location in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and was formerly known as Phillips Jiu Jitsu. The program’s stated vision is to provide a unique experience bridging traditional Gracie Jiu Jitsu to modern sport Jiu Jitsu and describes itself as “Family Focused Jiu Jitsu Serving The Palos Verdes Peninsula.” Peninsula Jiu Jitsu is part of the Gracie Allegiance Team created by Clark Gracie and specializes in serving the entire family starting as young as 3.5 years old.
The Mini Groms curriculum focuses on Jiu Jitsu-based games, core fundamental movements, and building block techniques of Jiu Jitsu, and the Mini Groms class maintains a space for kids to be kids while developing primary learning skills for Jiu Jitsu. The Groms & Jr. Teens class is divided into two separate groups based on age and skill level, and older teens are allowed to attend Adults classes as well. The Adults – Fundamentals class has no open sparring and uses only specific sparring constrained to related techniques and is geared for beginners at any age or physical level, while the Adults – Technics class emphasizes sparring and practicality. The studio offers workshops throughout the year with guest instructors from the Gracie Allegiance Team.
Peninsula Jiu Jitsu has a leadership team that includes Brian Phillips as Founder, Second Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and Youth Head Instructor; Nicole Phillips as Co-founder, Director of Operations, and Kids Instructor; Menamy Mitanes as Adults Head Instructor; and Daisy Gonzalez as Kids Instructor. Brian Phillips is a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, was awarded his black belt in 2017 by Professor Chris Haueter, has trained consistently in the Gi since the age of nineteen, and has foundations in Jiu Jitsu from the Gracie and Machado Family and several of their first generation black belts, with gold medals and podium finishes at every belt leading up to black belt; he holds a bachelor’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and a master’s degree from Pace University. Nicole Phillips is a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu, a silver medalist at The IBJJF New York Open, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Manhattan College. Menamy Mitanes is a Rigan Machado 2nd degree Black Belt with over 25 years of experience, trained extensively under Rickson Gracie from white to purple belt, is also a Judo Black Belt, a master instructor in the Russian art of Systema, has extensive training in JKD under Dan Inosanto, Paul Vanuk, and Pat Strong, holds a bachelor’s degree from NYU, and is the head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor at Rigan Machado’s The Academy in Beverly Hills, California. Daisy Gonzalez is a Purple Belt under Professor Andre “Alemão” Vascconcellos with multiple wins across IBJJF and Jiu Jitsu World League competitions, has competed in some of the largest tournaments in the sport, and has earned consistent podium finishes.
Peninsula Jiu Jitsu is described as a premium boutique Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio with a state-of-the-art facility that includes two separate mat areas, two bathrooms, one shower, a lobby, and a designated parking lot. The studio is part of the Gracie Allegiance Team created by Clark Gracie and serves the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A testimonial from Kids Instructor Daisy Gonzalez states, “As much as I love competing, nothing is more rewarding to me than helping the next generation build confidence, discipline, and a love for jiu jitsu.”
Last updated July 27, 2026.
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