13 Best MMA Gyms In New York City, NY

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Are you looking to find your next favorite MMA gym in the big apple? I got you covered.

In this article, I will list the best MMA gyms in New York City (NYC).

Some are more kickboxing or BJJ-focused, but each has unique benefits whether you’re trying to go pro or need a gym where you can also take your kids.

Let’s get to the list!

Ronin Athletics

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Ronin Athletics is a prominent MMA gym based on Madison Ave in New York City.

The gym prides itself on its inclusive environment for learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and empowering the weak against the strong in the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu belief system.

While this is a BJJ gym at heart, several other classes are still there for learning Kickboxing and MMA skills.

There’s a strong focus on self-defense at this gym to allow regular people to enjoy their lives without fear in what can be a dangerous city to live in.

This offering expands into women’s and even kid’s self-defense classes alongside the usual BJJ and MMA programming schedule.

If you are looking for an MMA gym focused on the traditions of the Gracie BJJ system while also giving opportunities to expand into striking arts for you and your whole family, it’s a great pick.

Evolution Muay Thai

https://youtu.be/KiS2WR8UeFM

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Evolution Muay Thai is a Thai boxing gym that includes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling, founded by Australian coach Brandon Levi.

Evolution helps you with choosing the right programs for you. Their well-trained, highly skilled tutors will push you to be at your best beyond what you ever imagined.

They have great coaching and a friendly environment for their members. They treat customers like family.

High-intensity workouts are a part of their learning experience and are excellent for weight loss and self-defense training.

Every Evolution coach is an experienced competitor in their own right. They base all they teach on real-world fighting experience.

They have schedules that can fit with anyone’s routine. With them, you can become a true athlete.

Radical MMA NYC

https://youtu.be/917jBHatCqY

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Radical MMA teaches self-defense based on MMA-oriented Jiu-Jitsu and a lot more.

Their academy works hard to help you improve yourself and be the best you can be.

Everyone respects each other and holds themselves to high standards to build a better future.

For best performance, they use a scientific approach to the science of fighting.

They use the most effective techniques and tactics for MMA competitions and self-defense, and they aren’t beholden to traditional methods.

All students are encouraged to compete – but no one is required. The true essence of martial arts is challenging oneself, which will help build courage, spirit, and fortitude.

This is a great gym to learn in if you are particularly interested in the shooting and grappling style of mixed martial arts.

This is a good idea since wrestlers and Jitsu practitioners are highly effective in MMA.

Mushin Mixed Martial Arts

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Mushin MMA is a members-only gym and fitness studio that offers martial arts and group fitness lessons.

They have an emphasis on the growth of talented individuals as well as maintaining our high-quality community.

Their Jiu-Jitsu program has you covered. They practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, providing students with diverse fighting skills.

Functional training emphasizing bodyweight training is the basis of their fitness program, but they also use kettlebells and dumbbells.

While based in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they also borrow Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, Muay Thai, Karate, Kickboxing, and Kali.

Ultimately anything effective in mixed martial arts can be used. Their classes are a combination of both drilling techniques and sparring.

This is a great gym to choose if you are looking for an incredibly dedicated learning environment.

Even Georges St-Pierre has walked through their doors to train! If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for most of us.

Pure MMA NYC

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Pure MMA NYC is a direct training program provided by Matt Derosa. He has taught others his knowledge for many years.

He aims to help people learn these skills to protect themselves and their loved ones.

He builds up students to be the best they can be, not just in martial arts or fighting, but also personally so they can take something to their day-to-day lives.

Matt will teach you the mindset and techniques for effectively dealing with real-life self-defense situations.

You will learn highly effective martial arts within a safe structure that will be useful for the rest of your life.

Ultimately, you will become an especially dangerous human being. 

This is ideal for someone who wants to get rid of their fears and bring confidence back into their lives alongside a personalized experience to become an all-around fighter.

Kings Combat Fitness

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Kings Combat Fitness is a gym that’s been pleasing students in martial arts since it opened its doors in 2014.

The gym is led by a team of dedicated and experienced coaches, including WKA Muay Thai Champion Dave Wai Moy and multiple Strongman Champion Andrew Rivera.

The gym offers a variety of programs, including Muay Thai & Kickboxing, Strongman, and a unique program for kids called Little Knights.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a professional competitor, Kings Combat Fitness has something for you.

One of the unique features of this gym is its Strongman program, led by Andrew Rivera.

This program uses a wide variety of equipment and objects instead of traditional weights, providing a unique and challenging workout.

The gym is also very welcoming to women and children.

Their Little Knights program is designed for kids aged 6 to 16 and focuses on engagingly teaching Muay Thai fundamental techniques.

While there aren’t any famous fighters mentioned as having trained at Kings Combat Fitness, the gym’s head coaches have impressive backgrounds in martial arts and fitness.

The next big name in MMA could be training at Kings Combat Fitness right now.

Kings Combat Fitness might be the place for you if you want a gym that offers variety and fosters a welcoming yet hardworking environment.

Valor Mixed Martial Arts

https://youtu.be/7OA23bQvSQU

Our Rating: ★★★★ 4/5

Valor MMA is like home for Mixed Martial Arts enthusiasts. They call it home, but students should come to class ready to work hard to achieve the desired results.

Valor’s classes last from 30 minutes to an hour, filled with fast-paced, energetic, and encouraging programs created for all ages, skill levels, shapes, and sizes.

They challenge every student to excel more than ever and take pride in teaching great classes and creating a community that builds lifelong friendships.

Valor MMA was created to provide and teach authentic correlative martial arts styles that can challenge students of all ages and abilities while helping them grow into stronger, more confident individuals.

Students show up for various reasons, often simply looking for a challenge or to learn how to defend themselves.

But you’ll come out with so much more, including increased confidence, increased health and fitness, and a new community.

Valor MMA is committed to supporting you at every stage of your fitness journey. This is a great gym to choose if you seek a predominantly kickboxing base for yourself and your kids.

Modern Martial Arts NYC

https://youtu.be/6yqi2rD3JG0

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 4/5

Modern Martial Arts NYC has a core vision to change the lives of its students every day positively.

They use tools that focus on the benefits of martial arts to inspire people to take small actions that can make a big difference in their daily lives.

Modern Martial Arts provide educational experiences that exceed expectations with passion and pride.

The goal is to change the world with every student by fostering an environment of trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.

With many years of experience, you can benefit from their knowledge and consistency.

Modern Martial Arts NYC knows how important it is to build a sense of community around their teaching and engage with every student individually to help them achieve their goal.

This is a great gym to choose from if you need several location options for yourself in kickboxing and jiu-jitsu, as well as having an extensive range of classes for your kids.

There is a heavy class schedule for kids of all ages here — which makes it all the more appealing for parents.

Five Points Academy

Our Rating: ★★★★ 4/5

Five Points Academy has prided itself on offering a high-quality training experience since it opened in 2002.

Their gym is equipped with not only a martial arts studio that has an expansive mat area but also a good selection of free weights.

Their martial arts on offer include Muay Thai, BJJ, Judo, and even a little-known weapon fighting art called Kali.

Their strength and conditioning classes help you improve your overall fitness and ability in the sport. They use free weights, barbells, and TRX (plus plenty more) to prepare you for a fight.

The class structure here is packed with options six days a week, so you’ll easily find a good training time no matter your situation.

If you’re looking for an eclectic mix of martial arts to learn and solid guidance to build your strength and fitness, then Five Points is worth trying out.

Longo and Weidman Mixed Martial Arts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogcUIGbEK74

Our Rating: ★★★★ 4.5/5

Longo and Weidman Mixed Martial Arts is another great MMA gym in New York, offering world-class instruction for all skill levels.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced fighter, this gym has the facilities and training for your needs.

They offer a wide range of classes, including boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, wrestling, and even some fundamentals in Jiu-Jitsu.

Their emphasis is on conditioning, technique, and promoting a healthier lifestyle for all students.

The head coaches are no joke, either. Ray Longo, a legendary coach in striking, leads the Muay Thai program.

Pete “Drago” Sell, a former UFC contender, brings world-class experience to the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program.

And let’s not forget Chris Weidman, whose passion for grappling has led to leading this top-notch wrestling program that’ll turn anyone into a great grappler.

The facility is a whopping 6500 square feet of industrial warehouse space, featuring a regulation-size MMA cage and over 3000 square foot of mat space for grappling and MMA.

They provide the equipment for an intense workout, always staffed with certified instructors to help.

Plus, they’ve produced some of the most talented amateur and professional fighters.

So, if you’re looking for a place to help you achieve your fight goals, then Longo and Weidman Mixed Martial Arts is an excellent option.

LifeStyle MMA Academy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MgIoNdQ7Hk

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

LifeStyle MMA is a unique academy that brings a selection of martial arts to New York.

They offer Jiu-Jitsu classes to help you grow self-defense skills, improve your well-being and become your best version.

The gym was established in Astoria, Queens in 2013. The location is easily accessible from several nearby hot spots and transport options.

They have earned themselves a worthy reputation for offering first-class martial arts to their students and helping them to find the purpose and strength to face their life challenges outside of school.

LifeStyle MMA was founded by Professor Fabricio Medici.

He has successfully coached his students to become excellent competitors that win 1st place in many tournaments and World Championships.

Fabricio is often considered a famous referee for BJJ competitions, as he is a leading IBJJF referee.

You can be sure he knows the rules and has the experience to demonstrate and help you to learn core Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu

Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu provides an ego-free training environment in the heart of New York City where all skill levels are welcomed in.

Most arrive there because they are curious about Jiu-Jitsu. Inevitably, that curiosity turns into a burning passion.

Their inspiration helps them to form a strong skillset.

They develop the best version of themselves, not by monotonous exercise, but by doing something they love to do almost every day.

This is rewarding for both the student and the teacher, which is what Clockwork BJJ focuses on.

Clockwork is easily accessible in downtown Manhattan, and they offer free introductory classes.

Clockwork believes that you deserve to be treated with respect.

They make it clear that sometimes city life can make you a few minutes late to class or that you may have to leave earlier and your teachers won’t shame you for it.

This is a welcoming environment to learn BJJ and develop the next grandest version of yourself.

Renzo Gracie Academy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHMtcR_LP0c

Our Rating: ★★★★ 4/5

  • Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Mixed Martial Arts
  • Location: 224 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001, United States
  • Notable Coaches: Gregor Gracie, Robson Gracie Jr.

Renzo Gracie Academy is one of the longest-standing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms in America, as it opened its NYC doors in 1996 under the supervision of Renzo Gracie himself.

The Gracie family are the pioneers of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu movement, in case you didn’t know that already.

This academy is so well structured that they have a vibrant and diverse team of expert coaches in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.

In their BJJ and grappling classes, you can use the standard Gi and No-Gi with what they refer to as “submission grappling” classes. Kids are welcome here with KidJitsu, too.

If you care about learning Jiu-Jitsu from a long line of tradition and source of the original methods, then you probably can’t go wrong than choosing Renzo’s Academy.

If you want to get involved in striking and develop your fighting capabilities, Muay Thai classes with several high-level coaches are there for you.

And if you hang around the gym long enough, you can ask to be included in invite-only MMA classes. But you’ll need to prove yourself first!

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