NOGI MMA

Ryan Egbert

My teen son wanted to work on MMA skills. After starting we learned he would begin with only Jiu-Jitsu. After asking if he could work on other skills, he was disappointed to be told he could only work on Jiu-Jitsu for a year before working on anything else. The atmosphere was too negative with kids being put down by the instructors that my son decided not be in that environment any more. This is a buyer beware warning. The contract is for a 30 day notice before cancelation will take place. Because we called and canceled a few days after our monthly billing we will be charged for 2 months without attending. So after one month of attending we will be charged for 3 in total with 2 months not attending. The owner was unwilling to accommodate the situation and only stated that he was going to stick to the contract. I asked my son if he would be willing to go back for those 2 months but he is too afraid of how he will be treated. I was very disappointed so a one start rating from me. On the positive side the training was good and the owner has a lot of experience.

Malcolm Coffey

"Take your hands out of your pockets, it shows lack of confidence. Do you know how to wrestle? This is a tough class, not everyone can do it." These are the first words that Professor Joshua "Jag" Garcia said to my son. These were the exact reasons I brought my son to NOGI MMA, to build his confidence and bring out the tough young man that he is. At the time, I had no idea when he said that "not everyone can do it" he was talking about the parents. My son and I would find over the following months that this Academy was indeed tough. This is not an academy that gives away promotions and a false sense of security to it's students. They are taught real techniques and are challenged every class. As a parent, you have to understand your child will learn these tough life lessons. It's your choice if they happen in a controlled professional Academy like NOGI MMA, by an accomplished professor like Jag, or from school bullies. I made the choice to have my son be taught the real thing, and it shows. He walks with his head up high, and hands out of his pockets. Is self awareness and confidence are shot through the roof. I couldn't recommend this Academy any more.

Will Gohr

Great gym! I have three kids training here. It is not just another cookie cutter gym. The coaches are great with people of all skill levels. My kids have learned more than i would have ever imagined. If you want to learn BJJ this is the place. They have taught my children respect, discipline, and to never give up.

R Beckert

Was greeted by two cordial instructors at the school when I visited with my child and initially had a good impression of the place. But when I was introduced to one of the owners (who later told me his name was "Jag...like the car!"), I immediately recognized arrogance. Just for example, what kind of businessperson would ask a potential customer, "Why are you wearing a mask? Are you afraid of something?" My wife has an auto-immune disease and Florida lately has the highest incidence of deaths from the COVID-19 delta virus, but I ignored his rude question, kept my mask on (as everyone should in this state), and gave him a chance to discuss the program. When I asked my daughter's opinion what she thought of the school and the class we had just witnessed, "Jag" then shockingly proceeded to try to tell me how to discuss the classes with my youngest daughter. I am 64 years of age and have another daughter who is 32 – whom I encouraged to understand martial arts as a youth – yet this punk had the gall to try to interfer with my deference to my daughter? (I also studied MMA and BJJ for six years, including one in Rio de Janeiro, karate at university, and twelve years in tae kwon do, so it's not like I am ignorant of the disciplines at hand either.) There were many missteps by this individual, but the last straw was him trying to explain that the name of the school did not actually mean "no gi" and that we would have to purchase a gi (which he mistakenly referred to as a kimono). I was actually initially attracted to the school's name NOGI because I was trying to avoid needless and wasteful purchases for a youngster – why would a five-year-old immediately need a gi when it would be outgrown and useless after a year? All in all, I was revolted by the tone of "Jag" and his low character, and resolved that I nor any member of my family would ever return to the school.