Master the Art

Conquer the Fight. Join the Legacy.

South Loop location opening October 2025

 

One Week Free Trial

Receive a one-week free trial at our new location in South Loop. Try as many classes as you would like for seven days.

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Programs

A large group of people in martial arts uniforms posing for a photo inside a gym with the logo 'Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu' on the wall behind them.

Adult Programs

Fundmentals, All Levels, and Advanced Classes

At Chicago MMA, we teach the world’s most effective martial arts in a supportive, high-energy environment. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu builds confidence and control, teaching leverage and technique over strength. Muay Thai develops striking power, conditioning, and discipline through the “Art of Eight Limbs.” MMA unites them into a complete system for sport, self-defense, and total fitness. Whatever your goal—fitness, competition, or personal growth—you’ll find the training and community to help you succeed.

kids martial arts chicago

Youth Programs

Youth (9-13 years) and Kids (5-9 years)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) gives kids more than just self-defense—it builds character. Through playful, structured training, children develop confidence, discipline, and resilience while having fun on the mat. Each class sharpens focus, improves problem-solving, and strengthens fitness in an engaging way. Along the journey, kids learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance—skills that extend far beyond the gym. BJJ helps shape strong, respectful individuals ready to thrive in every aspect of life.

A female boxer practicing her punches and defense with a trainer in a gym. She is wearing boxing gloves and has a tattoo on her shoulder.

Women’s Programs

Striking, Fitness, and Self-Defense

Our Women’s Only Program blends empowering kickboxing with circuit-based strength and conditioning—designed by women, for women. Each class builds confidence, strength, and resilience while delivering a full-body workout that’s both challenging and fun. You’ll learn real striking skills, improve fitness, and train alongside a supportive community that celebrates progress at every level. This is more than a workout—it’s a space to grow stronger, healthier, and more confident, inside and out.

Our Story

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Born into the legendary Gracie family, Ralph Gracie is a true warrior who helped shape the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and MMA. Trained by Carlos and Helio Gracie, Ralph mastered the art of leverage, positioning, and submission—proving that skill beats strength every time.

A fierce competitor in Vale Tudo and MMA, Ralph brought the Gracie fighting style to global prominence. As a dedicated coach, he’s built champions and spread the power of Jiu-Jitsu worldwide. From the streets to the UFC, his legacy stands strong.

Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Chicago was started my one of Ralph’s first black belts, Misho Ceko. Professor Ceko is a fourth degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and one of the top instructors in the country. Over the last 15 years, Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Chicago has awarded 20 black belts, becoming the top martial arts team in Chicago.

Cover of Gracie Mag magazine featuring Garry Tonon in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, wearing a black shirt with white text, a black jacket, and red belt. Background is dark green, with large red and white text reading "Seriously skilled" and other article highlights.

Sityodtong Muay Thai

Chicago MMA is proud to be the official representative of Sityodtong Muay Thai in Chicago. Founded by the legendary Grandmaster Yodtong Senanan in Thailand, Sityodtong is one of the most respected Muay Thai lineages in the world—producing countless champions at the famed Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums. Known for its authenticity, discipline, and technical excellence, Sityodtong preserves the true spirit of “The Art of Eight Limbs” while adapting it for modern competition and fitness.

At the heart of Sityodtong in the U.S. is Kru Mark DellaGrotte, one of only a handful of masters personally appointed by Grandmaster Yodtong to carry the lineage forward. Kru Mark is recognized globally for his deep knowledge of Muay Thai and his work training world-class MMA and Muay Thai athletes, from UFC veterans to rising champions. He is both a teacher and a conservator of the art, blending tradition with modern training methods.

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Chicago MMA is proud to serve as the official Midwest representative of Luta Livre under Master Hugo Duarte, one of Brazil’s legendary pioneers. Luta Livre—Portuguese for “free fight”—is Brazil’s original no-gi submission grappling art, built on wrestling, judo, and catch-wrestling roots. Known for its takedowns, control, and devastating submissions, Luta Livre became famous through its role in Vale Tudo, the precursor to modern MMA.

Master Hugo Duarte stands at the heart of this tradition. A fierce competitor and trailblazer, Duarte helped shape the evolution of MMA through his legendary rivalry with the Gracie family and his battles in Brazil’s no-holds-barred era.

At Chicago MMA, students now have the rare opportunity to train in this authentic lineage, blending Luta Livre’s raw power with modern MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai.

Luta Livre

A man with a shaved head wearing a black USA Luta Livre shirt with a bear logo, standing against a blue background featuring a stylized lion design.

Follow us on social

Name: Louis How long have you been training: 3 years come November What discipline(s): BJJ Formal Rank: Blue Belt Training pet peeve(s): Going to the bathroom barefoot and stepping back on the mats without cleaning your feet Day Job: Registered Dieti
Putting in the work everyday, back to back classes and still pushing through the Strength & Conditioning experiment with Coach @brianthy84 #lfg 📸 @sunismysymbol #85mm
🥋 Pete “The Greek” Letsos Seminar 📍 Chicago MMA 📅 Saturday, September 20 ⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 💵 $60 Join us for a special seminar with Pete “The Greek” Letsos, one of the most respected black belts in Brazilian Jiu-
Name: Rich How long have you been training: 4 years What discipline(s): Muay Thai (4 years); BJJ (2 years) Formal Rank: 0 stripe white belt Training pet peeve(s): Getting injured 🤕 Day Job: Professor / Social Scientist Fun Fact: I used to do oce
@kmmontgomery missed the pic but we’re so happy he’s back on the mats for the legendary Noon class with @gatrick 💪🏽 #sparringday
Name: Sam K. How long have you been training: 5 months What discipline(s): BJJ & Muay Thai Formal Rank: white belt Training pet peeve(s): getting yelled at by coach (although deserved) Day Job: VP in Private Credit Fun Fact: once spent 12 weeks i
Sunday comp class with @gatrick 🤌🏽
Name: Aaron G. How long have you been training: 1 year What discipline(s): Bjj/MT Formal Rank: white belt Training pet peeve(s): People who say let’s go 30% then go 110% Day Job: Sr. Analyst FP&A Fun Fact: I collect the board game Monopol
Name: Mike How long have you been training: Almost 5 years What discipline(s): Muay Thai - almost 5 years / BJJ - under a year Formal Rank: Whitest of white belts! Training pet peeve(s): Training partners that go unnecessarily hard Day Job: Graphic D
Name: Erik K. How long have you been training: 6 years What discipline(s): BJJ & Muay Thai Formal Rank: Blue Belt Training pet peeve(s): Aggressive leg locking Day Job: Electrical Engineer Fun Fact: I have an adorable Chihuahua named Einstein
Name: Andre How long have you been training: 5 years abouts What discipline(s): BJJ Formal Rank: Purple Training pet peeve(s): That I didn’t start sooner Day Job: Analyst/Consultant Fun Fact: I’m a pescatarian since ‘09

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