Welcome to American Black Belt Academy; a family friendly training facility with the most professional Personal Success Training Program in Georgia featuring over thirty five years of experience in martial arts and real world unarmed combat using Self-Defense as a vehicle to attain individual achievement.
We are Athens' only full-time professional, private martial arts, fitness, and self defense training academy. Internationally recognized as a world class leader in Martial Arts Education, our positive professionally certified staff, continuously updated world-class martial arts training supported by the unmatched real world experience of Academy founder and Director Retired Special Forces Master Sergeant (MSG-Ret) Randy McElwee.
We are Athens' only full-time professional, private martial arts, fitness, and self defense training academy. Internationally recognized as a world class leader in Martial Arts Education, our positive professionally certified staff, continuously updated world-class martial arts training supported by the unmatched real world experience of Academy founder and Director Retired Special Forces Master Sergeant (MSG-Ret) Randy McElwee.
Services
When you're looking for self-defense or martial arts training that emphasizes the importance of positive encouragement, you needn't look any further than American Black Belt Academy in Athens, GA. Our school is clean and inviting and is populated with enthusiastic certified world class instructors who want to help you succeed.
GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Athens at American Black Belt Academy (A.B.B.A.) is the MOST professional Personal Success Training Program in the southeast United States using Self-Defense as a vehicle to attain individual achievement.
GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Athens is recognized as a world class martial arts leader in self defense training featuring the most professional and effective curriculum available presented at a clean friendly and welcoming modern training facility.
GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Athens is recognized as a world class martial arts leader in self defense training featuring the most professional and effective curriculum available presented at a clean friendly and welcoming modern training facility.
Randy McElwee is the owner / director of GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Athens - Team Pedro Sauer at American Black Belt Academy. He is a retired Master Sergeant (MSG) and decorated Special Forces combat veteran in the U.S. Army. His military experience includes service with 3rd Ranger Bn and with 5TH Special Forces Group during the unit's participation in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, and Afghanistan during Operation "Enduring Freedom".
Trying to find a unique developmental activity that will bring out the best in your already great child? If you have been yearning for a progressive toning and strengthening workout with the structure and flavor of a traditional martial art, our Adult Martial Arts Program is for you.
If you are interested in a highly effective and comprehensive system of standing and ground defense techniques using leverage to defeat larger, stronger opponents then our Authentic GRACIE Jiu-jitsu is the answer.
If you are interested in a highly effective and comprehensive system of standing and ground defense techniques using leverage to defeat larger, stronger opponents then our Authentic GRACIE Jiu-jitsu is the answer.
KEYSI originated in Spain and was born from the life experience, study, and investigation of it's creator and founder Justo Dieguez. Justo grew up in the streets of a small Spanish mining town. He came from a tough upbringing with a combination of street fighting and military special forces experience shaping what would become the Keysi Fighting Method (KFM).
Reviews (10)
Darin Lang
Nov 13, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Value
Been awhile since I was a student here and I've trained a few places before and since. However this school still stands out to me as the standard I compare all the others to. Great instruction and an ideal atmosphere to learn. You always left class with at least a new detail.
Been awhile since I was a student here and I've trained a few places before and since. However this school still stands out to me as the standard I compare all the others to. Great instruction and an ideal atmosphere to learn. You always left class with at least a new detail.
Tony White
Oct 26, 2021
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Gracie Athens is where you want to train if you're interested in street effective, self defense based martial arts in the Athens area. The father/son instructor duo of Randy and Ryan McElwee can't be beaten. They're passionate, knowledgeable, organized, and excellent communicators.
I dropped in while traveling from Pennsylvania, and I would gladly train here full time if I lived in the area. This school has perhaps the most organized and well constructed curriculum that I've ever seen, and I've been to a good number of schools.
The student atmosphere is second to none. All students are respectful
I dropped in while traveling from Pennsylvania, and I would gladly train here full time if I lived in the area. This school has perhaps the most organized and well constructed curriculum that I've ever seen, and I've been to a good number of schools.
The student atmosphere is second to none. All students are respectful
Lauren Ray
Nov 13, 2019
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I cannot say enough amazing things about American Black Belt Academy. Their instructors are knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. The curriculum is very well structured with emphasis placed on safety. The class atmosphere is one full of comradery and free of egos. A great gym where you can bring your family and be treated as such. Do yourself a favor and come check out Athens' only authentic Gracie Jiu Jitsu school.
Adam Smith
Jul 08, 2019
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I started training here last month and it’s been an amazing experience. The instructors do a fantastic job of educating Jiu Jitsu and the introductory class is filled with wonderful people eager to learn the martial art. Everyone is encouraging and patient, which I find helpful since I’m brand new to Jiu Jitsu. I would highly recommend American Black Belt Academy to all my family and friends. I’m glad I started my path in Jiu Jitsu with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Athens Team Pedro Sauer.
Suzie Knitter
Dec 11, 2018
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I started my Jiu Jitsu journey at a SAFE class. I was so impressed with the amount of information given and how it was geared for those of us that had never been in a martial arts class before. I had so much fun and the staff made it so easy to catch on quickly. I ended up signing up for the Jiu Jitsu class and have never looked back. The instructors are so well trained and make it their mission to set students up for real life self defense. The environment is respectful, playful, serious and clean. I can’t believe how far I’ve come and how much it means to me to know that I have a special
Jimmy Loudermilk
Oct 17, 2018
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I spent several months researching a place to start taking Jiu-jitsu lessons and ABBA was my first choice. My wife purchased the January special for me for Christmas this past year. I started training shortly there after. My only regret is that I didn't stop by and check ABBA out sooner. The classes are well structured and move at a good pace.
I don't know anything about other martial arts but ABBA has student cards that guide your training and measure progress.
All of the things I was unsure about have been addressed. There are standards for progression. The school is self-defense focused so
I don't know anything about other martial arts but ABBA has student cards that guide your training and measure progress.
All of the things I was unsure about have been addressed. There are standards for progression. The school is self-defense focused so
Gary Michael
Oct 11, 2018
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The American Blackbelt Academy is the perfect fit for the entire family to learn martial arts and self defense. They teach self defense for the real life practical situations that you could possibly encounter on the streets today; self defense to the EXTREME!! THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!!! This stuff is AWESOME!!!
I have been a member for almost a year and have recently enrolled my 8 yr old and 11 yr old boys, who are also as excited as I. I couldn’t be more pleased with our continued progress in Gracie Jiu Jitsu by following their very structured curriculum. I feel better, I am more confident and
I have been a member for almost a year and have recently enrolled my 8 yr old and 11 yr old boys, who are also as excited as I. I couldn’t be more pleased with our continued progress in Gracie Jiu Jitsu by following their very structured curriculum. I feel better, I am more confident and
David Conners
Jan 14, 2018
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My journey at ABBA started about 18 months ago. I was hesitant at first to sign up, because I did not know the impact it would have on my wallet. Looking back now, I wish I had signed up sooner. The amount of knowledge and skills attained is well worth your investment and honestly a small price to pay.
If you want to learn self-defense, then you've come to the right place. Their curriculum is strategic and flows very well to give anyone the fundamental base needed to survive most common altercations.
The owner, Randy, has really put together the best self-defense program around. His experience
If you want to learn self-defense, then you've come to the right place. Their curriculum is strategic and flows very well to give anyone the fundamental base needed to survive most common altercations.
The owner, Randy, has really put together the best self-defense program around. His experience
Sean Shaikun
Jun 02, 2016
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The American Black Belt Academy (ABBA) is a fantastic place for the whole family to learn and practice martial arts. My family had looked for months, off and on, for the right place to send our kids to learn martial arts and self-defense and couldn’t be happier than we are with ABBA.
Our search turned into quite the Goldielocks experiment. Places were over-priced, or unorganized, dirty, or the staff just didn’t seem personable. We were very happy to find ABBA was just right. We came in and let the kids watch a class and knew immediately that it was the right place for them. There was a perfect
Our search turned into quite the Goldielocks experiment. Places were over-priced, or unorganized, dirty, or the staff just didn’t seem personable. We were very happy to find ABBA was just right. We came in and let the kids watch a class and knew immediately that it was the right place for them. There was a perfect
Safe Women'S. Self Defense
Sep 10, 2015
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I have wanted to take self defense, kickboxing, and marital arts ever since I was young. I'm so thankful that I found American Black Belt Academy to facilitate these dreams! I love all of the students, the fun environment, and real world experience that the owner and Director, Randy McElwee, has integrated into the classes. If you're looking for a fun, safe, and clean environment to train in look no further. Also, they have great introductory programs so you can experience the classes first hand!
