Claudio França Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – San Jose

Claudio França Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – San Jose offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for kids, teens, and adults, including beginner-friendly fundamentals, advanced BJJ training, and a Kids Jiu Jitsu program. The program includes specific classes such as Little Jags: Beginners BJJ for children ages 4–7, Junior BJJ for ages 7–10, Youth BJJ for ages 11–15, and Youth Striking for ages 8–15, along with adult BJJ and striking options. The academy also offers kickboxing, strength and conditioning classes, self-defense training, sparring, competition preparation, and birthday party packages that feature open mat space, a rock wall, games, a bouncer with slide, and an optional Jiu Jitsu lesson in the Premium package.

• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class and training hours are available Monday–Thursday from 12:00–2:00pm and 4:00–8:00pm, and Friday from 12:00–2:00pm; birthday party packages provide 2 hours of coverage.
• Price: Birthday Packages: Basic – $449 weekend pricing; Standard – $699 weekend pricing; Premium – $799 weekend pricing, with additional child pricing of $20 (Basic), $25 (Standard), and $30 (Premium) per child.

Claudio França Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – San Jose has been described as one of the most established BJJ schools in the Bay Area and as a family-friendly BJJ academy, and is recognized as one of the best martial arts academies in the Bay Area. The academy is described as an 18,000-square-foot San Jose BJJ facility and is noted as being located in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is also described as San Jose’s premier BJJ academy serving the San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbell, Willow Glen, Almaden, and South Bay communities, and offers a first class free for new students, along with special 10% discounts for military, first responders, and students. The Train Hard Center and Train Hard Circuit Training are mentioned as part of its offerings, and strength and conditioning classes are described as designed to build confidence, discipline, and fitness.

Owner and Professor Erik Benaquisto began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 1999 under the mentorship of Master Claudio França, took over the San Jose academy in 2004, and partnered with Claudio in 2009 to grow the academy. Erik has achieved multiple gold medals in the competitive Black Belt division and has experience in kickboxing and MMA. The leadership and coaching team includes Erik Benaquisto (Owner and Professor), Anaue Pavanello (Jiu Jitsu Professor), Sam Romero (MMA BJJ & Kick Boxing coach), Erik Matlin (Jiu Jitsu Professor), Akrura Gordillo (Jiu Jitsu Professor), Anthony Liu (Jiu Jitsu Professor), Ahmed Moussa (Train Hard Circuit Training Instructor), Savina Moio (Instructor Assistant), Alex Bustos (Instructor Assistant), Jerome Turcan (Kickboxing Instructor), and Jimmy Zimmerman (Special Discount Offers!). The mission statement for Claudio França Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – San Jose is that it believes in training hard, having fun, and building confidence.

Claudio França Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – San Jose offers birthday party packages that are described as 100% private parties with open mat space, a rock wall, and games, and notes that food and beverage are not included. The Premium birthday package includes a Jiu Jitsu lesson as part of the party.

Parent reviews mention “really affordable family prices” and the ability for adults to get a workout at the same time as their kids, with one parent noting “1 hour and you’re done,” and another stating they “cannot overstate how happy” their family has been with the gym. Another review describes it as an “awesome place to learn and practice BJJ for kids and adults” with a “really friendly atmosphere” and notes that a fundamentals class was launched for those just starting out.

Last updated July 24, 2026.