Discover the top 5 Jiu Jitsu gyms in Sacramento for beginners, competitors, and families. Compare world-class instruction, competition teams, prices, and reviews of the best BJJ academies near you.
---
Sacramento's BJJ scene punches way above its weight. Home to Urijah Faber's Team Alpha Male, multiple world champions, and elite coaches who've trained UFC fighters like Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, and Frank Mir—this city knows grappling.
Whether you're a complete beginner, a competitor chasing IBJJF gold, or someone looking for a supportive community, Sacramento has a gym for you. Here are the top 5 Jiu Jitsu gyms in Sacramento that stand above the rest.
---
1. 🏫 Yemaso Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Sacramento, CA
Short Summary: Yemaso BJJ is Sacramento's most successful competition academy, led by Marcos "Yemaso" Torregrosa — a 5x World Champion and 3rd Degree Black Belt who made history by winning the first IBJJF team trophy for the greater Sacramento region.
🧠 Gym Overview
Yemaso BJJ was founded in 2011 by Marcos Torregrosa, a black belt under legendary competitor Cassio Werneck. Originally from Puerto Rico, Marcos began training in 1999 after witnessing UFC 8 in Bayamon. His nickname "Yemaso" (meaning "hard head" in Puerto Rican slang) perfectly captures his relentless approach to competition and coaching.
The academy emphasizes battle-tested techniques and accountability. Every student sets their own goals, and everyone is held to them. The result? Sacramento's most decorated competition team.
⚙️ What Makes This Gym Unique
- 🥇 For Beginners: Personalized training programs that match your goals—whether competition, self-defense, or fitness.
- 💪 For Competitors: Sacramento's most successful competition team with champions at every belt level and age division. IBJJF No-Gi World Champion instruction.
- 🧒 For Kids & Families: Youth martial arts programs that build discipline and confidence.
- 🔥 For Advanced Practitioners: Train with multiple world-ranked competitors and study under a 5x World Champion who still actively competes.
📍 Location & Contact Information
Address: 3021 65th St, Sacramento, CA 95820 Phone: (916) 768-1366 Website: https://www.yemasobjj.com/ Instagram: [@yemasobjj](https://www.instagram.com/yemasobjj/)
🕒 Class Schedule: 5 AM - 8 PM, multiple classes daily including early morning 💰 Price Range: $$ (competitive pricing)
⭐ Reviews & Reputation
Yemaso BJJ has a 4.9/5 star rating with over 52 reviews. Students consistently praise Marcos's ability to teach at all levels—from white belt to black belt—and the welcoming, hard-working culture. The 5 AM class is legendary for busy professionals who want elite training before work.
---
2. 🏫 Cassio Werneck Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Sacramento, CA
Short Summary: Cassio Werneck BJJ is home to the 2003 Black Belt World Champion and 8x Masters World Champion Cassio Werneck. This 7,000+ square foot facility has trained UFC legends including Randy Couture, Urijah Faber, Dan Henderson, and Frank Mir.
🧠 Gym Overview
Professor Cassio Werneck began training in Brazil in 1991 and received his black belt in 1998 under Ricardo "Tanque" Reis. A member of the legendary Brazilian Top Team, Cassio trained alongside Mario Sperry, Ricardo Liborio, and Murilo Bustamante before establishing Sacramento as his home in 2003.
What sets Cassio apart? He teaches over 90% of adult classes personally—you're learning directly from a world champion, not assistant instructors.
⚙️ What Makes This Gym Unique
- 🥇 For Beginners: Two free trial classes with the world champion himself. Fundamentals broken down into easily digestible segments.
- 💪 For Competitors: Train under one of the most accomplished competitors in Sacramento history. Multiple black belts on staff who earned their ranks under Cassio.
- 🧒 For Kids & Families: Successful youth program led by black belt Toby Staley with multiple satellite locations.
- 🔥 For Advanced Practitioners: Access to deep technical knowledge from a competitor who fought BJJ legends like Terere, Marcelo Garcia, and Marcel Louzado.
📍 Location & Contact Information
Address: 5800 Madison Ave, Suite E-H, Sacramento, CA 95841 Phone: (916) 482-2505 Website: https://www.cassiowerneck.com/ Instagram: [@cassiowerneckbjj](https://www.instagram.com/cassiowerneckbjj/)
🕒 Class Schedule: Mon-Sat with morning, noon, and evening classes | Sun 10:45 AM - 1 PM 💰 Price Range: $$ (competitive pricing)
⭐ Reviews & Reputation
Cassio Werneck BJJ has a 4.8/5 star rating with over 57 reviews. Students praise the genuine, easy-going community and world-class instruction. The fact that most BJJ black belts teaching in greater Sacramento received their belts from Cassio speaks volumes about his legacy.
---
3. 🏫 Ralph Gracie Sacramento — Sacramento, CA
Short Summary: Ralph Gracie Sacramento brings authentic Gracie family Jiu Jitsu to the capital under Professor Manny Gonzales — a black belt with over 10 years of teaching experience who trained in Rio de Janeiro. Co-owner Katie Dees leads one of the area's strongest women's programs.
🧠 Gym Overview
Ralph Gracie is a legendary name in BJJ—a champion fighter for over 20 years and grandson of Carlos Gracie. He currently oversees six California academies, all led by black belts who trained directly under him.
Professor Manny Gonzales started training at 14 and began teaching at 16. He spent four months training in Rio de Janeiro and has experience with legends like Royler Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr., and Braulio Estima. Katie Dees, a black belt under Manny and certified in women's self-defense, ensures female practitioners have exceptional instruction.
⚙️ What Makes This Gym Unique
- 🥇 For Beginners: Free one-hour class for first-time students. Welcoming atmosphere with patient instruction.
- 💪 For Competitors: Direct lineage to the Gracie family with proven competition techniques.
- 🧒 For Kids & Families: Youth programs and a family-friendly environment. Katie and Manny's own children train and compete.
- 🔥 For Advanced Practitioners: Study under the Gracie system—learn techniques, execute them correctly, and train relentlessly.
📍 Location & Contact Information
Address: 4000 Truxel Rd, Suite 1, Sacramento, CA 95834 Phone: (916) 692-8814 Website: https://ralphgraciesac.com/ Instagram: [@ralphgraciesac](https://www.instagram.com/ralphgraciesac/)
🕒 Class Schedule: Mon-Fri 6 AM - 8:45 PM | Sat 9 AM - 12 PM | Sun 1 PM - 3:45 PM 💰 Price Range: $$ (competitive pricing)
⭐ Reviews & Reputation
Ralph Gracie Sacramento has a 4.8/5 star rating with over 35 reviews. Students highlight the welcoming atmosphere, quality instruction, and the fact that it's one of the few gyms offering dedicated female-only classes. The Gracie name carries weight, and this academy lives up to it.
---
4. 🏫 Urijah Faber's Ultimate Fitness — Sacramento, CA
Short Summary: Ultimate Fitness is home to Team Alpha Male and Sacramento's most prestigious MMA instructors. Founded by UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, this gym offers world-class BJJ alongside boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, and conditioning.
🧠 Gym Overview
Team Alpha Male was founded in 2004 and has produced numerous UFC champions and contenders. Urijah Faber—"The California Kid"—built an empire that puts Sacramento on the MMA map globally.
The facility features elite instructors including Fabio Prado for BJJ, plus striking coaches and conditioning specialists who train professional fighters. This isn't just a BJJ gym—it's a complete combat sports training center.
⚙️ What Makes This Gym Unique
- 🥇 For Beginners: Classes for all ages and skill levels with structured progression from fundamentals to advanced.
- 💪 For Competitors: Train where UFC fighters train. Access to professional-level coaching across multiple disciplines.
- 🧒 For Kids & Families: Youth MMA program combining BJJ, wrestling, kickboxing, and boxing with emphasis on discipline and work ethic.
- 🔥 For Advanced Practitioners: Cross-train in multiple combat sports—wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai—to round out your game.
📍 Location & Contact Information
Address: 6700 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819 Phone: (916) 444-3357 Website: https://ufultimatefitness.com/ Instagram: [@ufultimatefitness](https://www.instagram.com/ufultimatefitness/)
🕒 Class Schedule: Mon-Fri 5 AM - 9 PM | Sat-Sun 7 AM - 2 PM 💰 Price Range: $$ (excellent value for multi-discipline access)
⭐ Reviews & Reputation
Urijah Faber's Ultimate Fitness has a 4.0/5 star rating with over 90 reviews. Students praise the variety of classes, professional coaching, and the opportunity to train at a historically significant MMA gym. The spacious facility and community atmosphere make it ideal for those wanting more than just BJJ.
---
5. 🏫 Capitol Jiu Jitsu — Sacramento, CA
Short Summary: Capitol Jiu Jitsu is East Sacramento's boutique BJJ academy, offering a vintage-meets-industrial vibe and welcoming environment perfect for beginners and hobbyists looking for quality instruction without the competition pressure.
🧠 Gym Overview
Located in a charming vintage building near the old Muzio Bakery, Capitol Jiu Jitsu provides a unique training environment that blends old Sacramento character with modern BJJ instruction. The academy offers a free two-week trial—one of the most generous in the area.
The gym emphasizes fundamentals, proper technique, and a supportive community where everyone feels welcome.
⚙️ What Makes This Gym Unique
- 🥇 For Beginners: Free two-week trial to see if Capitol is right for you—no pressure, no commitment.
- 💪 For Competitors: Solid technical foundation with training partners who support your growth.
- 🧒 For Kids & Families: Community-oriented atmosphere ideal for families.
- 🔥 For Advanced Practitioners: Focus on technical refinement in a less ego-driven environment.
📍 Location & Contact Information
Address: 1734 34th St, Sacramento, CA 95816 Phone: (916) 467-4555 Website: https://capitoljiujitsu.com/ Instagram: [@capitoljiujitsu](https://www.instagram.com/capitoljiujitsu/)
🕒 Class Schedule: Mon/Wed/Fri 12-1 PM & 6:30-8 PM | Tue/Thu 5-8 PM | Sat 10 AM - 12:30 PM 💰 Price Range: $$ (competitive pricing)
⭐ Reviews & Reputation
Capitol Jiu Jitsu has a 5.0/5 star rating with 24 reviews. Students love the vintage building, welcoming atmosphere, and accessible instruction. It's the perfect spot for East Sacramento residents looking for quality BJJ without the intense competition focus.
---
🥋 How to Choose the Right Gym for You
Sacramento has excellent options for every type of practitioner:
For serious competitors: Yemaso BJJ and Cassio Werneck offer world champion-level instruction with proven competition success.
For authentic Gracie lineage: Ralph Gracie Sacramento brings direct family lineage with excellent women's programs.
For MMA cross-training: Urijah Faber's Ultimate Fitness provides complete combat sports training under one roof.
For a welcoming community gym: Capitol Jiu Jitsu offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for hobbyists.
---
Most gyms offer free trials—take advantage of them! Visit a few academies, roll with different training partners, and find the community that feels like home.
Train hard, stay humble, and enjoy the journey. 🤙
---
Written by: Gabriel Urreola, 12/15/2025, 8 min read