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 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, and Kickboxing. The program includes Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Fundamentals and Mastery tiers, along with a Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program that features a Ninjas Program and a Juniors Program. Wrestling basics are heavily incorporated into the Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu curriculum.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options are available Sunday through Saturday, with hours ranging from morning to evening most days.
Triangle Academy opened its doors on October 1, 2018. The academy is described 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 mission is 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 serves a wide spectrum of students from various professions and backgrounds and services multiple Tennessee communities including Fairview, Brentwood, College Grove, Eagleville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Nolensville, Spring Hill, and Thompsons Station.
The Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program includes a Ninjas Program for ages 5–8 and a Juniors Program for ages 9–12, as well as a very competitive Advanced Kids Program with high-volume live training. The team represents 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, and Triangle Academy is one of a handful of its affiliates. The academy promotes certified coaches and world-renowned training, states that there are no experience or athleticism requirements to join, and emphasizes “Hard Training. Good Culture. No Drama.” Private lessons are offered for personalized attention, and there are no mat fees for cross-training visitors. Loaner gloves and shin guards are provided for the first two Kickboxing classes, and an Intro Trial includes a Gi (uniform) waiting for new students.
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, a Black Belt NoGi Pans and Euros finalist, and previously achieved the #1 IBJJF ranking in the world at Brown Belt in both Gi and NoGi. He started training Jiu-Jitsu in 2008 under Royce Gracie, was awarded his Black Belt by Heath Pedigo in October 2021, and is described as one of the most active adult Black Belt competitors representing the USA on the world circuit. 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 U.S. 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 and BJJ State Champion 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, 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. The leadership team at Triangle Academy includes Clay Mayfield (Owner / Head Coach), Blake Brown (Adult Coach / Varsity Director), Zach Heath (Adult Coach), Foster Ehrie (Head Kids Coach), Justin Claphan (Adult Coach / Senior Kids Coach), Rishi Martinez (Kids Coach), Owen Sanford (Kids Coach / Assistant Adult Coach), Alexandrea/Alexandra Johnson (Kids Coach), and Heath Pedigo (head coach of Pedigo Submission Fighting, the team Triangle Academy represents).
Uniform guidelines for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Triangle Academy specify white, blue, or black Gi only in IBJJF-compliant colors, no shirt or rash guard under the Gi, and sports bras required for female athletes, with mouthguards required for live training. For Intro Trial BJJ classes, the Gi (uniform) is provided and waiting, and students are instructed to bring a water bottle and flip-flops or slides, with ladies asked to 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 Kickboxing classes.
Triangle Academy highlights that it offers hard training, a good culture, and no drama, and that no experience or athleticism is required to join, only a good attitude and work ethic. The academy states that it provides a clean and safe environment and that the facilities at the gym are clean and top notch. One testimonial from Brandon Smith states that Coach Clay and Coach Justin are great, that the culture around the gym is awesome, and that the facilities are clean and top notch. Another testimonial from Alaa Allen Elbanna describes the academy as very technical and hard working and notes that dropping in was a wonderful experience and that they were treated like a regular member as soon as they walked in. A testimonial from Lita Flores states that Triangle Jiu-Jitsu is a great place to train, that her son trained there during a transition in school and that they were 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, and she highly recommends Triangle for those in the Franklin area looking for a place to train. Another testimonial from Steven C. states 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 hours ranging from morning to evening most days.
Triangle Academy opened its doors on October 1, 2018. The academy is described 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 mission is 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 serves a wide spectrum of students from various professions and backgrounds and services multiple Tennessee communities including Fairview, Brentwood, College Grove, Eagleville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Nolensville, Spring Hill, and Thompsons Station.
The Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program includes a Ninjas Program for ages 5–8 and a Juniors Program for ages 9–12, as well as a very competitive Advanced Kids Program with high-volume live training. The team represents 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, and Triangle Academy is one of a handful of its affiliates. The academy promotes certified coaches and world-renowned training, states that there are no experience or athleticism requirements to join, and emphasizes “Hard Training. Good Culture. No Drama.” Private lessons are offered for personalized attention, and there are no mat fees for cross-training visitors. Loaner gloves and shin guards are provided for the first two Kickboxing classes, and an Intro Trial includes a Gi (uniform) waiting for new students.
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, a Black Belt NoGi Pans and Euros finalist, and previously achieved the #1 IBJJF ranking in the world at Brown Belt in both Gi and NoGi. He started training Jiu-Jitsu in 2008 under Royce Gracie, was awarded his Black Belt by Heath Pedigo in October 2021, and is described as one of the most active adult Black Belt competitors representing the USA on the world circuit. 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 U.S. 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 and BJJ State Champion 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, 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. The leadership team at Triangle Academy includes Clay Mayfield (Owner / Head Coach), Blake Brown (Adult Coach / Varsity Director), Zach Heath (Adult Coach), Foster Ehrie (Head Kids Coach), Justin Claphan (Adult Coach / Senior Kids Coach), Rishi Martinez (Kids Coach), Owen Sanford (Kids Coach / Assistant Adult Coach), Alexandrea/Alexandra Johnson (Kids Coach), and Heath Pedigo (head coach of Pedigo Submission Fighting, the team Triangle Academy represents).
Uniform guidelines for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Triangle Academy specify white, blue, or black Gi only in IBJJF-compliant colors, no shirt or rash guard under the Gi, and sports bras required for female athletes, with mouthguards required for live training. For Intro Trial BJJ classes, the Gi (uniform) is provided and waiting, and students are instructed to bring a water bottle and flip-flops or slides, with ladies asked to 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 Kickboxing classes.
Triangle Academy highlights that it offers hard training, a good culture, and no drama, and that no experience or athleticism is required to join, only a good attitude and work ethic. The academy states that it provides a clean and safe environment and that the facilities at the gym are clean and top notch. One testimonial from Brandon Smith states that Coach Clay and Coach Justin are great, that the culture around the gym is awesome, and that the facilities are clean and top notch. Another testimonial from Alaa Allen Elbanna describes the academy as very technical and hard working and notes that dropping in was a wonderful experience and that they were treated like a regular member as soon as they walked in. A testimonial from Lita Flores states that Triangle Jiu-Jitsu is a great place to train, that her son trained there during a transition in school and that they were 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, and she highly recommends Triangle for those in the Franklin area looking for a place to train. Another testimonial from Steven C. states 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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