About
Connection Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy offers kids classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Boxing, along with adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA. The program also includes women’s Muay Thai, women’s kickboxing, women’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, women’s self defense, a women-only class, and special striking classes in conjunction with no-gi.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Connection Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy operates under the Connection Rio BJJ brand, which was created in 2009. The academy is described as Central Oregon’s premier Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy and offers kids and adult BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, and women’s-only classes.
The kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is described as being designed to build kids up by instilling positive core beliefs, character building, developing boundaries, combating bullying, and teaching self discipline in a safe and fun environment. The kids Muay Thai program is described as providing a positive outlet to build mental fortitude, become physically fit, and build a lifelong realistic technical skill set. Instruction in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai is described as battle tested and proven, and the environment is described as supportive, safe, fun, and family-like.
Professor Dennis Asche leads the program as founder of the Connection Rio BJJ brand and is a 4th degree black belt and lifelong martial artist. He earned his brown and black belt ranks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and was the first American to receive these ranks under Professor Roberto Correa de Lima (“Gordo”). Under the guidance of Master John Machado, he held a 77-match winning streak.
Connection Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy states that its mission is to empower students by unleashing their greatest potential as a martial artist and human being through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts. The academy highlights women’s-only Muay Thai and BJJ classes that build strength, confidence, and real-world self-defense skills in a supportive community. It also notes membership discounts and special offers for police officers, first responders, military, and veterans, and states that it is proudly serving Bend and all of Central Oregon, with two locations in Bend and Redmond.
The academy notes that it offers 6:00am classes three days a week and that takedowns and throws are practiced every session. It also mentions special striking classes in conjunction with no-gi. Connection Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy describes its Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as world class and identifies itself as Central Oregon’s premier Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy.
The program lists competitive credentials that include gold medal wins in the IBJJF US Nationals, gold medal wins in the IBJJF USA vs Brazil, and the grand prize of the first Gracie Open in 2003, which included a trip to Brazil and a week of training and stay with Grand Master Helio Gracie at his home.
Testimonials from students describe Professor Dennis Asche as having an unparalleled level of knowledge and depth of expertise, with attention to detail and patience while instructing, and describe the atmosphere as very welcoming to all experience levels. Other testimonials describe his classes as beneficial, enjoyable, and relevant to modern jiu jitsu, and refer to him as a coach, teacher, leader, and mentor. Additional testimonials describe the gym as having great work ethic, a friendly atmosphere, hard workouts, kids classes, a women-only class, and a mix of different types of training partners, and mention that takedowns and throws are practiced every session and that there are special striking classes in conjunction with no-gi.
Last updated August 2, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Connection Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy operates under the Connection Rio BJJ brand, which was created in 2009. The academy is described as Central Oregon’s premier Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy and offers kids and adult BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, and women’s-only classes.
The kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is described as being designed to build kids up by instilling positive core beliefs, character building, developing boundaries, combating bullying, and teaching self discipline in a safe and fun environment. The kids Muay Thai program is described as providing a positive outlet to build mental fortitude, become physically fit, and build a lifelong realistic technical skill set. Instruction in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai is described as battle tested and proven, and the environment is described as supportive, safe, fun, and family-like.
Professor Dennis Asche leads the program as founder of the Connection Rio BJJ brand and is a 4th degree black belt and lifelong martial artist. He earned his brown and black belt ranks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and was the first American to receive these ranks under Professor Roberto Correa de Lima (“Gordo”). Under the guidance of Master John Machado, he held a 77-match winning streak.
Connection Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy states that its mission is to empower students by unleashing their greatest potential as a martial artist and human being through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts. The academy highlights women’s-only Muay Thai and BJJ classes that build strength, confidence, and real-world self-defense skills in a supportive community. It also notes membership discounts and special offers for police officers, first responders, military, and veterans, and states that it is proudly serving Bend and all of Central Oregon, with two locations in Bend and Redmond.
The academy notes that it offers 6:00am classes three days a week and that takedowns and throws are practiced every session. It also mentions special striking classes in conjunction with no-gi. Connection Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy describes its Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as world class and identifies itself as Central Oregon’s premier Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy.
The program lists competitive credentials that include gold medal wins in the IBJJF US Nationals, gold medal wins in the IBJJF USA vs Brazil, and the grand prize of the first Gracie Open in 2003, which included a trip to Brazil and a week of training and stay with Grand Master Helio Gracie at his home.
Testimonials from students describe Professor Dennis Asche as having an unparalleled level of knowledge and depth of expertise, with attention to detail and patience while instructing, and describe the atmosphere as very welcoming to all experience levels. Other testimonials describe his classes as beneficial, enjoyable, and relevant to modern jiu jitsu, and refer to him as a coach, teacher, leader, and mentor. Additional testimonials describe the gym as having great work ethic, a friendly atmosphere, hard workouts, kids classes, a women-only class, and a mix of different types of training partners, and mention that takedowns and throws are practiced every session and that there are special striking classes in conjunction with no-gi.
Last updated August 2, 2026.
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