The Minnesota Jiu Jitsu Scene is Blowing Up!

The St. Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy first opened it’s doors in November of 2015, and since that time, there have been several more Martial arts and Jiu Jitsu schools that have opened up in the Minneapolis Saint Paul area and greater Minnesota.

Roland Larson opened up his own MMA school in Monticello, MN so the folks who live Northwest of the cities have a nearby place to train.

Enrique Muniz opened up Southside Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Minneapolis near the University of Minnesota campus

Merrick Morlan opened up a new Mixed Martial Arts and fitness gym west of the Minneapolis Metro area.

Topher Braddock opened up Alchemy Jiu Jitsu in Uptown Minneapolis.

Derek Barlow and Brian Mogdans opened up Bellum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in St. Paul inside of the Element Boxing gym!

Hayden Buckner Opened up the Academy – Eden Prairie to expand the reach of the Academy, Minnesota’s largest MMA and martial arts gym in the Minneapolis St. Paul area and in the entire state of Minnesota whose headquarters is stationed in Brooklyn Park.

Whew! What a year for Minnesota Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA! I hope I’m not missing anything? With all of these fast growing and great places to train, there has never been a better time to start your journey is Jiu Jitsu! The only question now is which one?

While we don’t know the specifics of each and every new gym out there, we know that Brandon has a background in Mixed Martial Arts with a total record of 14 wins and only 3 losses. Most of Brandon’s wins have come by submission, demonstrating that when it comes to Submitting attackers who are really trying to hurt you, Brandon’s experience is one of the best in Minnesota! In addition to his MMA background, Brandon also comes from a security and law enforcement background where he has use the Jiu Jitsu techniques that he has refined over the years to keep himself, his partners, the public, and even his attackers safe. With all of his experience in MMA, law enforcement, and security, if you are looking for Jiu Jitsu for self defense, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better instructor than Brandon Bergeron in the Minneapolis area and even in the entire state of Minnesota! Check him out!

Brandon Bergeron finishing his opponent with an armbar in one of his MMA fights

By Brandon Bergeron|2018-01-12T16:50:08-06:00January 8th, 2017|News|0 Comments

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Joe G

13:52 12 Apr 24

The coaching staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The St. Paul BJJ Academy culture is vey supportive and welcoming.... This is a great learning environment for beginners and experts. The facilites are new and very clean.read more

Andrew Biermaier

15:27 26 Mar 24

St. Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy is a great place to start your BJJ journey! The instructors are knowledgeable and... good at explaining techniques. Everyone I have meet there has been helpful and welcoming. This is a great place to learn and grow your BJJ skills.read more

Jonathan Ramirez-Hernandez

20:16 29 Feb 24

This is a great place to practice BJJ. The head coach Brandon truly cares about being an effective teacher. In the... little time I've been there he's already made tweaks to how he runs his classes in an effort to improve the learning experience. He seems to constantly be looking for ways to do better and it shows.Not only are the instructors great, so is the community they've been able to foster. There's a real culture in the gym of everyone being welcoming and helpful. There's no shortage of people looking out for you to help you improve. Starting a new hobby is always intimidating but they've managed to take the edge out of it.I highly recommend this place if you're looking to get into BJJ!read more

Jeremy Prose

14:41 13 Feb 24

I've been a member of this gym for about a year and a half and before that I trained at other gyms. I can say that head... coach, Brandon, takes the art of teaching more seriously than any instructor I've ever trained with. He is sincerely dedicated to the improvement of all the students in this gym. You can find a lot of reasons why you should learn BJJ all over the internet and this is a great place to put that into action.read more

Tj jaques

16:27 08 Feb 24

Would love to join 😍 love MMA

Jeremy Pierce

02:11 06 Feb 24

I truly didn't know what to expect when I joined St. Paul BJJ, but I was blown away. The people here are amazing, the... coaches are so knowlegable, and this truly feels like the perfect environment to learn BJJ. Coach Brandon runs a top notch gym with a hands on approach.You never feel left out and get the attention you need to learn even in larger class sizes.Truly life changing in the best of ways. If you're on the fence, at least give the free trial a shot. I'm sure you'll be hooked as I was.Side note:I'm a truck driver by trade and my back had been bothering me even though I stay in shape through cardio and weights. Since starting my back pain had vanished. I feel like BJJ gives me that extra edge I need to stay fit and healthy.read more

Tate Marschall

19:37 01 Feb 24

This is an awesome gym! The coaches are extremely knowledgeable and meticulous when teaching technique. The gym has a... fun atmosphere and everyone is friendly and welcoming. Everyone is willing to help you if you have any questions.read more

Sam Tuhy

15:33 09 Jan 24

Fantastic gym! Very helpful and knowledgeable instructors, good environment for rolling, clean gym/changing rooms.

Trevor Schauls

04:45 23 Dec 23

I just started. I met some great people. Everyone who was new with me signed up... We chatted it up before class. The... instructors and participants were great to meet and were generally interested in my history. I felt bad having to take 10m breaks total though. I'm 230lbs and pretty fat, lol. Drink water before hand. It's a weekly payment. No contract too! Competitive, but you can't beat the flexibility in the schedule! I'd doing Ju Jitsu. Can't wait to see youread more

Heather Brunell

12:34 10 Dec 23

I started about 7 months ago, I fell in love the first day. Coaches are knowledgeable and supportive. The training... partners are amazing. If I need help learning or drilling something, my teammates are more than happy to help. Being in an environment where everyone is evolving, really brings out this euphoric energy. This is truly my happy place!read more

Jake Benkofske

16:54 27 Nov 23

Great coaches that really care. Made it easy for BJJ to become an important part of my life

Nestor Arguello

14:18 13 Oct 23

They have a gift for meeting you at your level and helping you to improve with each class. Every coach is skilled and... patient. Variety of class times is very helpful. Highly recommend.read more

Cecilia Earls

12:34 13 Oct 23

I have trained BJJ all over and this gym stands out as one of the best. The head instructor, Brandon, employs a... teaching style that allows for extremely fast progress. I have met students here who have only trained for a few months that are better than students at other schools who have trained over a year. It is also an extremely clean facility and the members are great training partners and friends. I highly recommend this school for both beginners and those much further along in their BJJ journey!read more

Firaol Degefa

01:24 22 Sep 23

This is an exceptional community and environment, whether you're new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or have been practicing for... a while. I highly recommend this place; everyone is incredibly supportive and kind, always ready to assist you.read more

Zach Pieper

18:39 25 Aug 23

A 5-star rating for a 5-star Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy.

ChueKongPheng Xiong

15:00 13 Aug 23

People here are nice and patient for you to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Jay Huh

21:32 09 Aug 23

Trained here for a couple days while in town. Clean and large facility, and tough but friendly rolls were had. Thanks... Brandon!read more

Sam Tallman

16:44 12 Jul 23

Having a great time at this place.I highly recommend it.

sam kelly

17:09 29 Jun 23

I trained at one of the best BJJ gyms in the world in NYC for a few years. When I moved back to Minnesota I was looking... for a BJJ Black Belt I could continue training under who I felt was at that level. So glad I found BJJ Black Belt and Coach Brandon Bergeron at St Paul BJJ. He's definitely one of the better Black Belts I've seen and shocked I hadn't heard of him prior to meeting him. I would highly recommend learning from him if you're serious about learning BJJ correctly from the very beginning. We are very lucky to have a BJJ Black Belt like him here in Minnesota.read more

Juanita Bradley

04:26 28 Jun 23

My baby has been going to these classes for a year. And at first he had a bit of a rough start, but then he started to... get into the swing of things. He has been here almost a year. It will be a year in July or Augustread more

liban gullied

17:52 25 Jun 23

Top instructors, history of excellence, very clean, and family friendly. I love this gym! If you or your family are... looking to increase physical fitness, improve overall health, learn self-defense, train with top athletes, learn from the best in BJJ I highly recommend this gym!read more

Erin White

03:12 15 Jun 23

I can’t imagine a better place to give Jiu Jitsu a try! I was nervous about trying it out but I’m so glad I walked... through the Academy doors. The coaches and training partners are welcoming and friendly no matter the level of skill you have and there’s a real atmosphere of growth - learning is celebrated and the skills I’ve gained are empowering. Seriously this is the absolute best place to give Jiu Jitsu a try, you won’t regret it. 5 stars isn’t enough!read more

Mauricio Hermoza

20:38 31 May 23

One of the best decisions I made in my life is to join the academy. I have learned so much from Coach Brandon and am... excited to keep training and improving my game through his knowledge. The environment he has created in his gym makes you feel welcome, everyone is friendly and the instructors are great I would always recommend this to anyone looking to start Jiu Jitsu.read more

Zack Campbell The Realtor

19:51 02 May 23

I walked in here on a whim after not liking the vibe at another gym. I have never been to a place where it is so easy... to fit in. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I am somebody who has 0 martial arts experience and little athletic ability, and I was immediately hooked onto this sport.The gym is lively as there are always new people coming in each week, so you will not be the only beginner, and the great coaching will ensure you are not clueless for long. Each and every class has participants of all shapes, sizes, genders, and backgrounds. Some gyms have rather limited times that they hold class, but whether you need early morning, mid-day, or evening classes, this gym can accommodate your scheduleread more

Hayden Rutan

22:46 01 May 23

I've been here about two months, and I have been loving this gym and the sport of BJJ. Coach Brandon is an outstanding... teacher, with a passion for the sport and a natural talent for breaking down complex techniques. The gym itself is clean, outfitted with high-quality mats, and populated by a welcoming and supportive community. I couldn't be happier to have found this gym and this group of competitive and outgoing members.read more

Kevin Donovan

01:06 17 Apr 23

I've been training here at St. Paul BJJ for a few years now and it's one of the best decisions I've made. The facility,... coaches, students, and atmosphere make this place feel like a second home. The supportive learning environment makes it easy for me to recommend this gym for anyone!read more

Peter Chan

15:40 14 Apr 23

StP BJJ is a great place to learn and practice BJJ. The instruction is top notch from top notch practitioners. Coaches... Brandon, Zach, Will, Adam, and others are great teachers and have a great way to show and practice. The training partners are great as well with everyone being kind and respectful. Finally, the facilities are top notch, clean and bright!I would invite anyone to stop in.read more

Jack D

01:07 13 Apr 23

I've been training here for 2.5 years and it has far exceeded my initial expectations. Regardless of your motivations... for joining Coach Brandon has designed the curriculum to cater to you. Everyone from high level grapplers focused on competing to people just looking for exercise and a sense of community, its all here for you. Jiu Jitsu will change your life.read more

Andrew LaBarre

01:16 22 Mar 23

Training jiu jitsu here is such an amazing experience. The leadership starting with Brandon and all staff/coaches is... honestly second to none with any organization I’ve been a part of. The communication, instruction on the mat, passion for growth not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well makes St. Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy a place that I would recommend to anyone. The community of people there are awesome and I am so grateful to be a part of it!read more

Hans Gunderson

14:25 21 Mar 23

I have been a member for almost 3 months. Nothing but friendly staff and members. Classes/instruction that are easy to... understand and build off one another. Not to mention a great workout.read more

Jack Haben

01:49 02 Feb 23

I walked into the academy with 0 BJJ experience. From day 1 I have benefited physically, emotionally and as a person.... It has been about 4 months and I am surprised at how much I have learned already. I have seen a noticeable difference in my strength and endurance. The workouts are clear and well taught. Class is run at a moderate pace, geared towards learning but still provides a good workout, and there are additional optional opportunities for a higher intensity match if I need it. My classmates are friendly and helpful. They offer convenient class times and a well kept modern facility. My kids have a great time at the kids class.read more

David Thao (Dave)

04:22 21 Dec 22

I was with SPBJJ in the early days, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Brandon always pushed us to get better, and... although I no longer study BJJ, I still admire this place.read more

Noumia Cloutier-Gill

23:12 30 Jul 22

My 8-year-old son and I started attending BJJ classes about 3 months ago. I was hoping that adopting a martial art... practice would help my son learn to stay focused and get him additional physical activity and socializing. The team of coaches at the St. Paul BJJ Academy has been nothing short of amazing. They are very patient and friendly, yet they also find ways to instill discipline in their students. We could not be happier with our experience so far. We would gladly attend our respective classes every single day if that were practical. We love our newfound BJJ family!read more

Doug Grimm

13:43 03 Jul 22

I've really enjoyed training and being a member at St Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. The coaches are welcoming and... the atmosphere is fun, friendly and safe, and the instruction and training are fantastic.read more

mark delay

17:45 14 Jun 22

What to expect when new to Jiu JitsuIf you have been reading many reviews, then your probably serious about trying Jiu... Jitsu. You will at least want to find a place with a dedicated foundations program. These classes show the basic submissions, chokes, escapes and sweeps all at your own pace. When you’re ready, you can move on to mastery classes with dedicated time to roll against other skill levels. These classes build on the basics and are of a higher intensity level.If you are thinking of signing up consider The Academy - Saint Paul BJJ, they have a great curriculum and dedicated classes for beginning or advanced students. At The Academy classes usually have several instructors (both teaching and taking classes) so the student to teacher ratio is always high. Don’t worry about coming in as a beginner either, everyone there has been through it and you will always get an encouraging word. The Academy hosts a great family atmosphere and even has kid’s classes!Fun for the whole family.read more

Thomas Lindsey

18:10 16 May 22

If you have ever thought about training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but thought maybe you were too old to start or you retired... and are looking for a new challenge in your life then do yourself a life changing favor and come to the Saint Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy and train with Coach Brandon. It doesn’t matter what age you start, BJJ is for everyone. At the Saint Paul BJJ Academy you will find a place that will help you reach not only short-term goals but also set you on a path to reach your long-term goals. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will challenge you but with the team that Coach Branden has assembled you will be able to reach those goals. I began training in my late 50’s after retiring from law enforcement and needed a challenge in my life and I found it with Coach Branden and his coaching staff at the Saint Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. You will not find a better group of people to train with from the coaches to the men and women who train here at the Saint Paul BJJ Academy.read more

Justin Konwinski

18:07 14 May 22

Cleanliness: one thing that sticks out about this school is it is literally immaculate. You can tell the coach and... staff take extra time to keep their academy clean. There is nothing worse than rolling on a mat and getting hair in your mouth.This place also has phenomenal instructors that not only teach the technique, but the how, why, and when behind it. I believe that principle and concept based instruction really helps elevate your students to new level. This school is hands down one of the best in the area.read more

Kevin Jiang

21:17 23 Apr 22

I made the decision to try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the St. Paul Academy almost six years ago and never looked back... since. Initially I was simply curious in learning some basic self-defense techniques but I was quickly sold on the welcoming atmosphere, the healthy and humbling balance between people of different backgrounds and purposes, and the exceptional teaching methods of Coach Brandon and the team. Jiu Jitsu is a great discipline for those who enjoy sports, sharpening their minds and their bodies, and most importantly having fun and you'd be hard pressed to find a better place to train than the St. Paul BJJ Academy!read more

Ty S.

22:05 17 Apr 22

Everyone here is incredible. There are multiple levels of classes and the schedule makes the only reason you aren't on... the mat you. They recently remodeled. Check it out, try something new, get a workout, have fun.read more

R H

20:38 13 Apr 22

Great place to train great for beginners or even the most seasoned experts! clean facilities nice new equipment and... coaches are amazing patient and full of knowledgeread more

Chris Mason

22:35 27 Nov 21

Great atmosphere, high caliber instruction. New schedule with alot of classes offered through out the week. This... academy is soley focused on BJJ. Highly recommend this school!read more

Tim

17:21 22 Nov 21

I've been training at Saint Paul Brazi Jiu-jitsu Academy for almost 2 years. It has changed my life. I was welcomed... with open arms after having a not so stellar experience starting BJJ at a different facility a few years prior.I am more confident in all aspects of my life, i'm in better shape at 36 than I have ever been my entire life. Training martial arts also has helped me manage what used to be severe depression and anxiety.The owner Brandon Bergeron is one of the most passionate and driven people I have ever known when it comes to jiujitsu . We welcome all walks of life into our dojo. Don't wait, call them right now! You won't regret and it cpuld be the best decision you ever made. It was for meread more

Coyote Clone

17:05 29 Aug 21

Highly recommend this gym. Gi and No Gi classes.I'm a 51 year old male, had some limited training at another bjj... school. Have attended this academy for about a year.If you are new to jiu jitsu, get through the adult beginner, Foundations Course (no contract). It should take around 3 months or so. Do your best, if you can't do some of the activities at first, let the coaches know.Be warned, the coaches use the beginner course as a filter for the right attitude. If you are overly aggressive and dangerous, that is not ok. Safety and respect for the students is a big deal.Once the coaches see that you have the basics and are ready to spar, you are invited to the Mastery Program (contract).If you are invited and sign up, Mastery is where you see the culture of the Academy. The head coach, Brandon, is an accomplished, competition tested blackbelt and a really nice guy. His teaching is programmed and technical. He has a legit lineage from Greg Nelson and Pedro Sauer, but also incorporates new school stuff from John Danaher.The students at the academy come in all shapes, sizes, colors and ages. Everyone seems to want to help each other get better.Jiu Jitsu can be physically and mentally challenging, a bit expensive and time consuming, with a slight element of danger.Give it a try, it might just be for you!Chris Mread more

Damien Lazzari

12:42 31 Jul 21

Couldn’t be happier about my decision to join the academy over a year ago. Not only has my Jiu jitsu improved, but I... have more confidence in my personal and professional life as well. Thank you Saint Paul BJJ Academy!read more

Danna Pye

12:20 25 May 21

My son has been going to BJJ for a few years now, working his way through belts and building skills, confidence, and... muscles. I am so happy that he is engaged with this warm and inspiring community.read more

Melvin Welch

17:21 16 Apr 21

St. Paul BJJ Academy has been essential to developing my son's physical confidence and capabilities. Excellent... instructors with phenomenal instincts working with children.read more

Amber Richards

20:46 15 Apr 21

First off, if you're thinking of trying BJJ, just do it and The Academy is an amazing place to start. They give you the... opportunity to dip your toes in to see if it's right for you but you will probably just want to jump in once you get the chance. The atmosphere is incredibly friendly and welcoming with a staff that is dedicated to helping you along your journey to achieve your goals. The coaches even take an extra step to check in with you from time to time and that shows me just how much they care. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, there is a space for you here.I actually looked at this gym last year but then covid hit and I put the thought on hold. I wish I would've started sooner but now I've been at this gym for almost 3 months and this has quickly become one of my happy places. No matter what goes on in my daily life, I can focus on my training for the day and end up in a fantastic mood when class is over. I had no formal training before this and trust me, I was so nervous to roll with anyone. Being a female, I was also afraid of the size/strength difference but all those fears have been laid to rest. Everyone is here to learn and we do that together. Now, I have the confidence to seek out people to roll with and I look forward to rolling with my instructors when given the chance. It's easy to see this place as a family, even though I haven't been here long.So my advice to you, take that leap and try something new. You'll be surprised at what you can accomplish with this incredible team in your corner.read more

David torres

16:35 28 Dec 20

Moving to Minnesota from Florida and New York as a black belt and coming two very competitive schools (Team Renzo... Gracie and Team Gracie Barra) I wanted to make sure I chose somewhere that my abilities would continue to grow and flourish. I have no doubt in my mind that I found the perfect fit for me at St Paul Bjj. St Paul BJJ led by coach Brandon Bergeron is teaching jiujitsu in a way that will ensure its students excel at each and every rank they hold along their journey to black belt. Coach Brandon and his staff approach jiujitsu in a way that challenges the mind and body while also presenting tangible goals for each individual student. Coming to any school as a black belt the goal is always to make sure your growth continues for many years. Thanks to coach Brandon and my team mates I have no doubts this is true.read more

Jessica King Gerdts

15:50 28 Dec 20

I have trained at many gyms over the years and I cannot brag enough on Brandon and the entire staff and community here.... It is very technically based and welcoming to everyone. As a woman, I have always felt extremely comfortable training here and I would recommend it to anyone, beginner or advanced, who is looking to train BJJ.read more

Chun W

05:09 30 Jul 20

Starting Jiu Jitsu at the tender age of 48 with no prior martial art experience at all, I feel incredibly lucky to have... found the best Jiu Jitsu school in town!! Coach Brandon and the entire coaching staff have created a fun and exciting environment, where we learn the art of Jiu Jitsu from amazing teachers and training partners who treat everyone with kindness and respect, no matter what your skill level may be. After two years of training and earning my Blue Belt, I am physically and mentally transformed in positive ways that are hard to describe. Jiu Jitsu is now part of my life and I look forward to continuing training with Coach Brandon for as long as I possibly can. Highly recommended! Two thumbs up!!read more

Eric

22:11 16 Nov 18

2 years ago I walked into the St. Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy with no experience in marital arts and no real idea... of what to expect. From my initial free consultation to where I am today there has been nothing but positivity and a helpful guidance to get better, from not only the excellent coaching staff, but also the fellow students. I am on such an amazing journey with the team at St. Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy.Every time I step into the Academy I experience things like:- Acceptance from everyone in the building, both coaches and other students.-Teamwork as we learn, share and practice new techniques together.- Self-defense skills improve every class along with my physical and mental conditioning.- Incredible stress relief! Life and all its problems do not seem to matter as much after a good class. No anti depressants, alcohol, or meditation needed. This beats them all!- Fun and healthy competition when we “roll” (practice in real time with each other the things we have learned).- The mental and spiritual growth this challenging art rewards me with EVERY TIME class is over.- And surprisingly, the relaxedness with many moments of laughter happening during most classes. Coming to class is fun and I look forward to it!Coming into Jiu Jitsu as a new white belt is hard but so it is so worth it to push through and dig into this. Nothing worth a damn comes easy and this is no exception. 4 days ago I was give my blue belt by owner and head coach Brandon Bergeron. Being recognized and rewarded for all the hard work is one of those special moments in life. As I type this it honestly feels like I just stepped in the door, 2 years flew by like nothing! Jiu Jitsu for sure has challenged me but the reward has been 10 times more. And I am happy the team at St. Paul Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy is there to guide on this path.read more

The Minnesota Jiu Jitsu Scene is Blowing Up!

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