Santa Cruz County's family-friendly gym with a great kid's program and a wide-ranging training schedule for adults. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu needs no introduction. Anyone who has ever seen a UFC event has seen the devastating submission techniques, takedowns, and dominating positional control that BJJ has to offer.
While MMA is a combination of BJJ, wrestling, and kickboxing, the Gracie Family has proven that without BJJ, a fighter will be submitted quickly and easily. As for fitness, there is no equal to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The pushing, pulling, twisting, and cardio involved in our daily sparring sessions will make any other workout seem too easy.
While MMA is a combination of BJJ, wrestling, and kickboxing, the Gracie Family has proven that without BJJ, a fighter will be submitted quickly and easily. As for fitness, there is no equal to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The pushing, pulling, twisting, and cardio involved in our daily sparring sessions will make any other workout seem too easy.
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At Kaijin MMA, we examine all martial arts equally and extract the essentials from each that fall under one leading criteria: Effectiveness. The mind learns most effectively when it is young, and martial arts is no exception. Kids who train mixed martial arts from a young age gain muscle memory that will last them a lifetime.
You can try out any class we offer before you sign up and we encourage you to try all that interest you! Please arrive 15 minutes early so that you can sign a waiver. Wear loose-fitting clothing that you can move in without restriction (sweatpants, athletic or board shorts, Tshirt). During class, you'll be stretching, participating in movement drills, and practicing techniques under the supervision of a coach.
Reviews (27)
Tofu Mendoza
Mar 31, 2021
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Tonya Scheftner
Jan 21, 2020
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My son has been training at Kaijin for about a year now and I decided it was time to give it a try myself. Walking into my first class was intimidating, but the welcoming atmosphere really put me at ease. The coaching is excellent (supportive but challenging), the fellow students are friendly, and although it's a tough sport, I continue to look forward to training every week.
Ashleigh Trujillo
Dec 26, 2019
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Sandra A.
Dec 11, 2019
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This is a beautiful studio, with a welcoming atmosphere. It's clean and comfortable, with plenty of space. The bathroom is clean as well.
I was visiting in Santa Cruz, and stopped by on a Thursday night for Family Capoeira @ 5 pm... a fun but super-challenging class that teaches skills, language, and music to adults and children alike.
Our class had 4 adults, and 6 children - the youngest of which was 2!! Everyone followed our instructor "Teacher Tony" - Formando Currupio.
A great time, solid training and a beautiful gym!
I was visiting in Santa Cruz, and stopped by on a Thursday night for Family Capoeira @ 5 pm... a fun but super-challenging class that teaches skills, language, and music to adults and children alike.
Our class had 4 adults, and 6 children - the youngest of which was 2!! Everyone followed our instructor "Teacher Tony" - Formando Currupio.
A great time, solid training and a beautiful gym!
Nick A.
Oct 15, 2019
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Spacious, clean, friendly, and run with passion and care.
MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Wrestling, it can all seem really intimidating. In a way, they kinda should be. But don't be intimidated. There's no reason to be when you have a dojo like Kaijin East.
Not everyone wants to be a cage fighter. 95% of us just wanna learn the skills to defend ourselves and our families. Kaijin is a rare spot where you'll get both walks of life not only coexisting, but working together to make everyone better.
When you sign up for a sport you want to make sure you're getting the best training
MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Wrestling, it can all seem really intimidating. In a way, they kinda should be. But don't be intimidated. There's no reason to be when you have a dojo like Kaijin East.
Not everyone wants to be a cage fighter. 95% of us just wanna learn the skills to defend ourselves and our families. Kaijin is a rare spot where you'll get both walks of life not only coexisting, but working together to make everyone better.
When you sign up for a sport you want to make sure you're getting the best training
Lydia Abler
Oct 13, 2019
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I love everything about this gym; the instructors are both knowledgeable and excellent communicators, open to questions and good at explaining maneuvers to new students. (Adult) classes are small, and fellow students support and encourage each other. Very laid back atmosphere for such an intense sport! I couldn't recommend Kaijin MMA more highly.
Lori Alexander
Sep 15, 2019
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Angie Scoma
Aug 28, 2019
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My boys and my husband have been doing jujitsu here for over a year and they LOVE it!! They have all learned so much and wrestling has taken on a whole new meaning around our house! The instructors are awesome and take time with each kid. They are gaining confidence and learning a really great lifelong skill. Highly recommend!
Chris Castleman
Jul 27, 2019
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Alicia Ortega
Jun 11, 2019
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Kaijin North is such a great place to train jui jitsu and boxing. My daughter has been going here for 2 years and she loves it. Her self esteem is great now. I have been training for a year here I liked watching my child do it that I decided to do it. The instructors are great and the staff are nice.
Nathaniel Allen
Jan 05, 2019
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Lori Alexander
Nov 12, 2018
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Michael McDonald
Sep 15, 2018
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Steve R.
Dec 10, 2017
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This is a great gym! I would recommend it to anyone passing through Santa Cruz. It is not a Muay Thai gym just in case you're wondering but they teach kickboxing and the trainers are thoughtful and take the time to make sure that students leave with new information.
Sparring is light, no one is coming out swinging just to prove that they know what they're doing.
Clean, professional and well put together.
Sparring is light, no one is coming out swinging just to prove that they know what they're doing.
Clean, professional and well put together.
Duke Brouwer
Oct 15, 2017
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Sergio Luiz E. Silva
Aug 14, 2017
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Matt S.
May 31, 2017
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My young children both trained here for a year before we moved out of the area. I wanted to state that Kaijin and Jeremy, the kids teacher, have created an amazing environment. It is warm and welcoming, and quite familial. The kids classes are a great mix of lighthearted fun, discipline, and learning. Jeremy really "gets" kids. If they are excited it's their birthday or they want to show him a new toy they got, he will make time to focus on their excitement and listen to what they have to tell him! It's very touching. On the flip side, he holds kids accountable, making sure
Travis L.
Sep 04, 2015
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I couldn't ask for a better place for jiu jitsu! I was extremely intimated/nervous before I started and realized it was all in my head! The classes are full of great people and always offering help and a good laugh! Class at 6am is amazing! I love the positive vibes and exercise to set my day off right :)
They have multiple martial art teachers, and a wealth of knowledge with equal patience. Proud to be apart of this gym and can't wait to grow!
They have multiple martial art teachers, and a wealth of knowledge with equal patience. Proud to be apart of this gym and can't wait to grow!
Tyler Crain
Dec 30, 2014
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Jocko R.
Sep 14, 2014
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I'm almost 70 and probably don't belong near an "MMA" gym. Having just moved to the area and having looked at a lot of gyms, I scratched my head and tried to figure out what was drawing me to this place. After spending a lot of time sitting and watching classes there, I think I have an idea.
First, there's a welcoming aspect to everyone I ran into--from Sue the front office person, to Garth the senior teacher, along with every student who looked at this old guy as they left the mat, smiled and said hello. With the welcome came no sales pitch about this or that "
First, there's a welcoming aspect to everyone I ran into--from Sue the front office person, to Garth the senior teacher, along with every student who looked at this old guy as they left the mat, smiled and said hello. With the welcome came no sales pitch about this or that "
Kevin S.
Jun 28, 2014
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It can be hard to find a martial arts academy that focuses on growing good technique and growing good people. Kaijin focuses on both though. From a healthy place to have your kids grow up in a martial setting, for people just interested in casual training and sparring, to people who want to compete and win at the world championship level. I'm pretty particular about always training with the best in Jiu Jitsu and having Garth Taylor, a world champ, as my coach for the last 10 years has been one of the most valuable sources of growth for me. His feedback is helpful not just on the mat in my
Patrick Carr
Jun 28, 2014
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Billy P.
May 01, 2013
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Larry Y.
Mar 15, 2013
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My son is reaching that age of rights of passage and discovering his inner strengths so I was really hoping he would find his way to training at a martial arts studio. We suggested he try Kaijin and he resisted but he submitted after a few forceful suggestions. And I am glad he did, it's a great club with many MMA forms. Kickboxing, judo, boxing and brazilian jiujitsu give him a balanced palette of fighting sports.
Moreover the camaraderie and brotherhood is felt through the whole gym from instructors to students, and the staff at the desk is friendly and welcoming. My son is training
Moreover the camaraderie and brotherhood is felt through the whole gym from instructors to students, and the staff at the desk is friendly and welcoming. My son is training
Christopher L.
Feb 28, 2013
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I've been training here for quite some time and I really enjoy every moment of training. I've only taken the Kickboxing classes with Sam and the Boxing classes with Aaron and I'm thoroughly impressed with how much I've learned and improved over the past few years.
The instructors are very good at what they teach and know what's best for each individual, not just teaching one thing and expecting everyone to learn at the same rate.
The people who train here are friendly and willing to work with you. I've even made multiple friends out of all the people I've
The instructors are very good at what they teach and know what's best for each individual, not just teaching one thing and expecting everyone to learn at the same rate.
The people who train here are friendly and willing to work with you. I've even made multiple friends out of all the people I've
Kristina N.
Mar 05, 2011
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I'm extremely picky about the places I train. I take into consideration the instructor, mats, the area of the gym, and the atmosphere of the classes.
Instructor: I took morning classes with Clement Shields and he is an amazing and very technical instructor. He incorporates wrestling moves in many of his jiu jitsu classes which is extremely useful. It was difficult to find an instructor like Clement until I came to Kaijin.
The mats: Super clean! Good color contrast as well.
Area of the gym: No problem for me to find parking. In the mornings, the sun
brightens the whole gym which gives
Instructor: I took morning classes with Clement Shields and he is an amazing and very technical instructor. He incorporates wrestling moves in many of his jiu jitsu classes which is extremely useful. It was difficult to find an instructor like Clement until I came to Kaijin.
The mats: Super clean! Good color contrast as well.
Area of the gym: No problem for me to find parking. In the mornings, the sun
brightens the whole gym which gives
Crystal L.
Jan 23, 2010
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I started training here April of '09, never having done any grappling before. After six months of hard work (training 4-7 days a week), I was a grappling beast!!!! 5'2", 135 pounds of kickass!!!
Well, not so much the beast and the kickass part, but I've definitely come a long way. Part of my success is from self-effort, but the other part is definitely due to the awesome and knowledgeable instructors here.
If you come here for kickboxing, be prepared to sweat and have your form corrected by Sam. He's a Crossfit instructor too, so don't be surprised when you get
Well, not so much the beast and the kickass part, but I've definitely come a long way. Part of my success is from self-effort, but the other part is definitely due to the awesome and knowledgeable instructors here.
If you come here for kickboxing, be prepared to sweat and have your form corrected by Sam. He's a Crossfit instructor too, so don't be surprised when you get
