Triangle Academy of Jiu-Jitsu – Kids & Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Programs
251 2nd Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064
About
Triangle Academy of Jiu-Jitsu – Kids & Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Programs offers training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, and Kickboxing. The program includes Kids Jiu-Jitsu classes that heavily incorporate wrestling basics, as well as a two-tier Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program with a Fundamentals Program and a Mastery Program. Kids classes are organized into age-based groups called the Ninjas Program and the Juniors Program, and there is also a very competitive Advanced Kids Program that focuses on detailed techniques, drills, and high-volume live training.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options are available Sunday through Saturday, with operating hours ranging from early morning to evening on weekdays and daytime hours on weekends.
Triangle Academy opened its doors on October 1, 2018, and represents the Pedigo Submission Fighting team, including the PSF “Daisy Fresh” headquarters affiliation. The academy describes itself as a premier destination for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling in the Franklin, TN area, and as a local trusted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy with a clean and safe environment and clean, top-notch facilities. Its stated mission since day one has been to provide world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Franklin and the surrounding areas, maintain a clean and safe environment, and create a supportive, healthy culture in the gym and community. The academy also offers private lessons, welcomes visitors, and does not charge mat fees for cross-training, and it uses the slogan “HARD TRAINING. GOOD CULTURE. NO DRAMA.”
Owner and Head Coach Clay Mayfield is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Judo Coach under Travis Stevens, an IBJJF Top 10 Ranked Athlete, and a Black Belt NoGi Pans and Euros Finalist who started training Jiu-Jitsu in 2008 under Royce Gracie, achieved a #1 IBJJF ranking in the world at Brown Belt in both Gi and NoGi, and was awarded his Black Belt by Heath Pedigo in October 2021. Adult Coach and Varsity Director Blake Brown is a BJJ Brown Belt, IBJJF Gi World Champion, IBJJF NoGi Pans Silver Medalist, and Wrestling Coach who wrestled through high school in Indiana, took 2nd place at the Freestyle State Championships, and won the IBJJF World Championships at Blue Belt in 2022. Adult Coach Zach Heath is a BJJ Purple Belt, IBJJF NoGi World Champion, and IBJJF Gi Pans Champion who began training Jiu-Jitsu in college in 2018, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2020, won the IBJJF Pan-Ams in 2021, served as Head Coach of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program for two years, and won the NoGi World Championships at Blue Belt in December 2023 before receiving his Purple Belt.
Adult Coach and Senior Kids Coach Justin Claphan is a BJJ Black Belt and US Army Veteran who began training in Ohio in 2014 under the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association, received his Brown Belt before relocating to Franklin, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team, earned his Black Belt from Heath Pedigo in October 2024, and teaches Adult Fundamentals and Kids Beginner Classes. Head Kids Coach Foster Ehrie is a BJJ Purple Belt, BJJ State Champion, and former wrestler with four years of wrestling experience who began training Jiu-Jitsu at age 10, wrestled four seasons in high school, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2020, and became Head Coach of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program in 2023. Kids Coach Rishi Martinez is a BJJ Blue Belt who is fluent in Spanish, began training Jiu-Jitsu in Culver City, California, relocated to Tennessee in 2021, and coaches Kids Beginner and Advanced Classes.
Kids Coach and Assistant Adult Coach Owen Sanford is a BJJ Purple Belt with three years of wrestling experience who wrestled in high school for three years, started BJJ in 2020, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2022, spent a season traveling the world competing with the Triangle Varsity athletes, accepted a full-time coaching position at Triangle Academy for the 2024 season, and teaches Kids Beginner and Advanced Classes and Adult Fundamentals Classes. Kids Coach Alexandrea (Alex/Alexandra) Johnson is a BJJ Blue Belt and IBJJF CON Champion who began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2023, trains three to four days per week in the Adult Program, coaches Kids Jiu-Jitsu Classes, and won the 2024 IBJJF CON event and earned her Blue Belt. Pedigo Submission Fighting head coach Heath Pedigo, whose team Triangle Academy represents, began his training in the early 1990s, is described as one of the first-generation pioneers of BJJ in MMA with an undefeated record, received his Black Belt from Rodrigo Vaghi (a student of Rickson Gracie), and runs the PSF “Daisy Fresh” headquarters in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Triangle Academy states that there are no experience or athleticism requirements to join, only a good attitude and work ethic, and that it aims to maintain a supportive and welcoming environment where individuals can thrive and win together. The academy is one of a handful of affiliates of Pedigo Submission Fighting, which is described as widely regarded as one of the most dominant up-and-coming American teams on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene. Equipment guidelines include providing a Gi (uniform) for Intro Trials, asking students to bring a water bottle and flip-flops or slides, and recommending that ladies bring a sports bra and compression shorts to wear under the uniform. For Kickboxing classes, students are instructed to wear normal gym clothes such as workout shorts with no pockets or yoga pants and a t-shirt, and loaner gloves and shin guards are provided for the first two classes. Uniform requirements specify White, Blue, or Black Gi only in IBJJF-compliant colors, no shirt or rash guard under the Gi (with sports bras required for female athletes), and mouthguards required for live training.
Parent and student feedback includes comments that Coach Clay and Coach Justin are described as great, that the culture around the gym is described as awesome, and that the facilities are described as clean and top notch, as stated by Brandon Smith. Another visitor, Alaa Allen Elbanna, described the academy as very technical and hard working and said that dropping in was a wonderful experience and that they were treated like a regular member as soon as they walked in. Parent Lita Flores stated that Triangle Jiu-Jitsu is a great place to train, that her son trained there for a little bit during a transition in school and that the academy was very welcoming, that they helped him get ready for kids pans, and that they push the kids to be the best they can and still have fun doing it. Another student, Steven C., stated that training at Triangle Academy of Jiu-Jitsu has transformed his lifestyle both mentally and physically.
Last updated May 12, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options are available Sunday through Saturday, with operating hours ranging from early morning to evening on weekdays and daytime hours on weekends.
Triangle Academy opened its doors on October 1, 2018, and represents the Pedigo Submission Fighting team, including the PSF “Daisy Fresh” headquarters affiliation. The academy describes itself as a premier destination for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling in the Franklin, TN area, and as a local trusted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy with a clean and safe environment and clean, top-notch facilities. Its stated mission since day one has been to provide world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Franklin and the surrounding areas, maintain a clean and safe environment, and create a supportive, healthy culture in the gym and community. The academy also offers private lessons, welcomes visitors, and does not charge mat fees for cross-training, and it uses the slogan “HARD TRAINING. GOOD CULTURE. NO DRAMA.”
Owner and Head Coach Clay Mayfield is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Judo Coach under Travis Stevens, an IBJJF Top 10 Ranked Athlete, and a Black Belt NoGi Pans and Euros Finalist who started training Jiu-Jitsu in 2008 under Royce Gracie, achieved a #1 IBJJF ranking in the world at Brown Belt in both Gi and NoGi, and was awarded his Black Belt by Heath Pedigo in October 2021. Adult Coach and Varsity Director Blake Brown is a BJJ Brown Belt, IBJJF Gi World Champion, IBJJF NoGi Pans Silver Medalist, and Wrestling Coach who wrestled through high school in Indiana, took 2nd place at the Freestyle State Championships, and won the IBJJF World Championships at Blue Belt in 2022. Adult Coach Zach Heath is a BJJ Purple Belt, IBJJF NoGi World Champion, and IBJJF Gi Pans Champion who began training Jiu-Jitsu in college in 2018, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2020, won the IBJJF Pan-Ams in 2021, served as Head Coach of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program for two years, and won the NoGi World Championships at Blue Belt in December 2023 before receiving his Purple Belt.
Adult Coach and Senior Kids Coach Justin Claphan is a BJJ Black Belt and US Army Veteran who began training in Ohio in 2014 under the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association, received his Brown Belt before relocating to Franklin, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team, earned his Black Belt from Heath Pedigo in October 2024, and teaches Adult Fundamentals and Kids Beginner Classes. Head Kids Coach Foster Ehrie is a BJJ Purple Belt, BJJ State Champion, and former wrestler with four years of wrestling experience who began training Jiu-Jitsu at age 10, wrestled four seasons in high school, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2020, and became Head Coach of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program in 2023. Kids Coach Rishi Martinez is a BJJ Blue Belt who is fluent in Spanish, began training Jiu-Jitsu in Culver City, California, relocated to Tennessee in 2021, and coaches Kids Beginner and Advanced Classes.
Kids Coach and Assistant Adult Coach Owen Sanford is a BJJ Purple Belt with three years of wrestling experience who wrestled in high school for three years, started BJJ in 2020, joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2022, spent a season traveling the world competing with the Triangle Varsity athletes, accepted a full-time coaching position at Triangle Academy for the 2024 season, and teaches Kids Beginner and Advanced Classes and Adult Fundamentals Classes. Kids Coach Alexandrea (Alex/Alexandra) Johnson is a BJJ Blue Belt and IBJJF CON Champion who began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2023, trains three to four days per week in the Adult Program, coaches Kids Jiu-Jitsu Classes, and won the 2024 IBJJF CON event and earned her Blue Belt. Pedigo Submission Fighting head coach Heath Pedigo, whose team Triangle Academy represents, began his training in the early 1990s, is described as one of the first-generation pioneers of BJJ in MMA with an undefeated record, received his Black Belt from Rodrigo Vaghi (a student of Rickson Gracie), and runs the PSF “Daisy Fresh” headquarters in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Triangle Academy states that there are no experience or athleticism requirements to join, only a good attitude and work ethic, and that it aims to maintain a supportive and welcoming environment where individuals can thrive and win together. The academy is one of a handful of affiliates of Pedigo Submission Fighting, which is described as widely regarded as one of the most dominant up-and-coming American teams on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene. Equipment guidelines include providing a Gi (uniform) for Intro Trials, asking students to bring a water bottle and flip-flops or slides, and recommending that ladies bring a sports bra and compression shorts to wear under the uniform. For Kickboxing classes, students are instructed to wear normal gym clothes such as workout shorts with no pockets or yoga pants and a t-shirt, and loaner gloves and shin guards are provided for the first two classes. Uniform requirements specify White, Blue, or Black Gi only in IBJJF-compliant colors, no shirt or rash guard under the Gi (with sports bras required for female athletes), and mouthguards required for live training.
Parent and student feedback includes comments that Coach Clay and Coach Justin are described as great, that the culture around the gym is described as awesome, and that the facilities are described as clean and top notch, as stated by Brandon Smith. Another visitor, Alaa Allen Elbanna, described the academy as very technical and hard working and said that dropping in was a wonderful experience and that they were treated like a regular member as soon as they walked in. Parent Lita Flores stated that Triangle Jiu-Jitsu is a great place to train, that her son trained there for a little bit during a transition in school and that the academy was very welcoming, that they helped him get ready for kids pans, and that they push the kids to be the best they can and still have fun doing it. Another student, Steven C., stated that training at Triangle Academy of Jiu-Jitsu has transformed his lifestyle both mentally and physically.
Last updated May 12, 2026.
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