Jorge Gurgel Mixed Martial Arts Academy (JGMMA) Kids & Youth Programs
6875 Fountains Blvd, Suite K, West Chester, OH 45069
About
Jorge Gurgel Mixed Martial Arts Academy (JGMMA) Kids & Youth Programs include training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts, No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Boxing. The academy also offers a Women's Only Jiu Jitsu class as a specialty martial arts class just for women. Kids Intro to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs are part of these offerings and run on a repeating schedule.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Kids Intro to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs start every 4 weeks, with upcoming start dates on December 9, 2025, January 6, 2026, and February 3, 2026; a 30 day trial is available to try a month of unlimited classes
Jorge Gurgel Mixed Martial Arts Academy states that its kids program is designed for ages 5–11, and its adult programs are open to ages 12 and up. The academy offers daily classes ranging from morning to evening and has programs for kids and adults of any experience level. All classes are described as a fun, safe, and practical form of a full-body workout while teaching self-defense skills that are applicable in a variety of real-world circumstances.
The academy was founded by MMA champion Jorge Gurgel, who is originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, and earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcus Aurélio. Gurgel starred in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter television series, and his match with Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 was designated as the “Fight of the Night” by the UFC. He has trained fighters such as Rich Franklin, Justin Edwards, Zoila Frausto, Dustin Hazelett, Jason Butcher, and Sean Salmon. The academy describes itself as Cincinnati, Ohio's premier mixed martial arts academy and the premier martial arts school in the Midwest, and notes that families can “Train Where History Has Been Made for 25 years.”
The leadership and coaching team for JGMMA includes Professor Jorge Gurgel (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Professor D'Andre (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Chris Hale “Smoke” (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Sensei Markus West (Judo Coach), Sensei Kameron Williams (Judo Coach), Coach Will (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Zane McMullin (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Rich Walden (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Hannah (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Nick (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Shope (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Nate (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Anna (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Lindsay (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Darcie (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Gary M. (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Jacob (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Joe Duffy (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), and Coach Stan Owens (Jiu-Jitsu Coach). The academy describes its instructors as expert instructors with decades of experience training and teaching at the highest levels of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, and states that Jorge brings elite-level coaching to every class.
According to its mission statement, JGMMA’s mission is to provide training and instruction to people of all ages, fitness, and skill levels, with a top priority of instruction in mixed martial arts and self-defense techniques surrounding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Wrestling, and Boxing, and a goal to change as many lives as possible. The academy describes itself as offering a supportive community, expert instruction, and a proven path to success, and notes that all JGMMA academies are located throughout the greater Northern Cincinnati area.
Parent and student testimonials describe the academy as the “Best MMA school in Cincinnati area” and mention that it “will make you tougher and stronger not just physically but also mentally (if you have children, have them train there!),” and that “you will make friends who become your family.” Another student notes that staff “couldn't have been nicer” during a drop-in visit and “10/10 would recommend,” and comments that “their people had great technique.” A parent and student shares that her son started training at JGMMA in 2019 and she started about two years later, and she reports seeing her son become “a confident and disciplined young man thanks to the guidance and leadership of the Professors and coaches at JGMMA,” along with her own confidence and respect growing, and describes lifelong friendships and being “very grateful to this art and academy,” ending with “Highly recommend stepping in the door at JGMMA, it’ll change your life in the best ways possible!!”
Last updated May 12, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Kids Intro to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs start every 4 weeks, with upcoming start dates on December 9, 2025, January 6, 2026, and February 3, 2026; a 30 day trial is available to try a month of unlimited classes
Jorge Gurgel Mixed Martial Arts Academy states that its kids program is designed for ages 5–11, and its adult programs are open to ages 12 and up. The academy offers daily classes ranging from morning to evening and has programs for kids and adults of any experience level. All classes are described as a fun, safe, and practical form of a full-body workout while teaching self-defense skills that are applicable in a variety of real-world circumstances.
The academy was founded by MMA champion Jorge Gurgel, who is originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, and earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcus Aurélio. Gurgel starred in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter television series, and his match with Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 was designated as the “Fight of the Night” by the UFC. He has trained fighters such as Rich Franklin, Justin Edwards, Zoila Frausto, Dustin Hazelett, Jason Butcher, and Sean Salmon. The academy describes itself as Cincinnati, Ohio's premier mixed martial arts academy and the premier martial arts school in the Midwest, and notes that families can “Train Where History Has Been Made for 25 years.”
The leadership and coaching team for JGMMA includes Professor Jorge Gurgel (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Professor D'Andre (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Chris Hale “Smoke” (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Sensei Markus West (Judo Coach), Sensei Kameron Williams (Judo Coach), Coach Will (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Zane McMullin (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Rich Walden (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Hannah (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Nick (Muay Thai Coach), Coach Shope (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Nate (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Anna (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Lindsay (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Darcie (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Gary M. (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Jacob (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), Coach Joe Duffy (Jiu-Jitsu Coach), and Coach Stan Owens (Jiu-Jitsu Coach). The academy describes its instructors as expert instructors with decades of experience training and teaching at the highest levels of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, and states that Jorge brings elite-level coaching to every class.
According to its mission statement, JGMMA’s mission is to provide training and instruction to people of all ages, fitness, and skill levels, with a top priority of instruction in mixed martial arts and self-defense techniques surrounding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Wrestling, and Boxing, and a goal to change as many lives as possible. The academy describes itself as offering a supportive community, expert instruction, and a proven path to success, and notes that all JGMMA academies are located throughout the greater Northern Cincinnati area.
Parent and student testimonials describe the academy as the “Best MMA school in Cincinnati area” and mention that it “will make you tougher and stronger not just physically but also mentally (if you have children, have them train there!),” and that “you will make friends who become your family.” Another student notes that staff “couldn't have been nicer” during a drop-in visit and “10/10 would recommend,” and comments that “their people had great technique.” A parent and student shares that her son started training at JGMMA in 2019 and she started about two years later, and she reports seeing her son become “a confident and disciplined young man thanks to the guidance and leadership of the Professors and coaches at JGMMA,” along with her own confidence and respect growing, and describes lifelong friendships and being “very grateful to this art and academy,” ending with “Highly recommend stepping in the door at JGMMA, it’ll change your life in the best ways possible!!”
Last updated May 12, 2026.
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