Best MMA gym in Chicago area?

[Birdie]

I recently saw another thread about the best gyms in the CA area, and figured I'd give it a try. I know this probably isn't the best forum for it, but it gets the most hits- so I wanted to try. I have a few years of informal BJJ (Army trained) and have boxed for quite a while, and want to put it all together. Any suggestions where I should go in the Chicago area?

 

[metal123123]

AA trains out of chicago, so does Bonnar i belive. Look into where they train at, im sure its pretty good.

 

[Birdie]

AA trains out of chicago, so does Bonnar i belive. Look into where they train at, im sure its pretty good.

Yeah, I know they both train out of Chicago (so does Shonie Carter and a few others), but I was looking for sugesstions. You know, like which schools have the best ground game, standup, etc.

 

[dyslexic]

not bonnar's gym. have you seen that little gangbanger mexican that he trains with??? what a joke! no wonder stephen is forrest's bitch. he's a 5'0'' wetback bouche dag

 

[YoBMC]

jabb boxing gym is where arlovski trains for boxing and he goes to POW kickboxing for his BJJ i am pretty sure. Gilbert Grappling is pretty good in the south burbs. i want to open my own gym in the near future, South Side Freestyle

 

[pukematrixx]

AA trains out of chicago, so does Bonnar i belive. Look into where they train at, im sure its pretty good.

As someone said in this thread AA for boxing goes to JABB. POW does more than Kickboxing though, they have BJJ (not sure how good it is?), krav maga, and a few other styles (they have a website). Stephan rolls at the Carlson Gracie Academy in the Fitness Formula Clubs Club on LaSalle street in the Gold Coast - not sure where he boxes though. I texted my buddy who rolls in the western side of the city (close to the west burbs I think) to find out his gym for you.

I roll at Gracie.

 

[Sgt.JT]

As someone said in this thread AA for boxing goes to JABB. POW does more than Kickboxing though, they have BJJ (not sure how good it is?), krav maga, and a few other styles (they have a website). Stephan rolls at the Carlson Gracie Academy in the Fitness Formula Clubs Club on LaSalle street in the Gold Coast - not sure where he boxes though. I texted my buddy who rolls in the western side of the city (close to the west burbs I think) to find out his gym for you.

I roll at Gracie.

Dino is a good BJJ player. He teaches at POW.

 

[XJ3B]

I would also like to know as well.


Newbreed, Force-Toro, and Jeff Curran's are supposed to be great for MMA, but are all too far.

I'm looking into the Gracie Barra's, Carlson's, POW, and Pedro Vianna

 

[haughn22]

Curran Martial Arts. There are Gracie Barra schools around there. Just do a search on Carlson JR. I think he teaches there. My instructor is supposed to meet Carlson in Chicago next month to become officially certified. He'll be the only Gracie Barra instructor in Michigan.

 

[XJ3B]

Why would Carlson certify him for Gracie Barra?

I thought they were separate organizations?

 

[MMAFAN05]

not bonnar's gym. have you seen that little gangbanger mexican that he trains with??? what a joke! no wonder stephen is forrest's bitch. he's a 5'0'' wetback bouche dag

Miquel would kick your ass for that remark.

 

[dreadedothrside]

Miquel would kick your ass for that remark.

I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure Miguel has better things to do than what some ignorant jackass says on sherdog. Besides, he got banned after only a handful of posts.

 

[XJ3B]

In chicago

chicagojuijitsu.com
powkickboxing.com
carlsongraciefederation.com

Western Suburbs:
combat-do.com
graciebarracountryside.com
jeffnealjiujitsu.com

Northern Suburbs:
newbreedchicago.com

 

[BJJ in Chicago]

it really depends on where you live... I live in northwest indiana (but closer to the actual city of chicago than most people who claim to be from there) and I train with Miguel Torres in Highland, IN.

I'd assume mmafan05 trains at corral's which is right down the road. Where you train really depends on where you live. Chicago traffic is so nasty that you can't really train one place and live on the opposite side of the city.

Corral's website links are under mmafan's post. miguel's site is www.torresmartialarts.com
if you live in the area check them both out. I did and I ended up at Miguel's and couldn't be happier, but that's just me.

 

[pukematrixx]

Following up on my original post, my buddy rolls at Victory martial arts in Oak Park

 

[Birdie]

Thank you to everyone with serious responses. I'm leaning towards Gilbert Grappling for my groundwork (its probably closet) and still looking for a quality boxing/kickboxing gym

Thanks again!

 

[XJ3B]

yo how is victory martial arts because that is about 5 minutes away from my house. I used to pass it on my way to school


edit: I just looked at the website. I've actually been there before. From what I remember, it was 110 a month. way to expensive for getting lessons from a no name, especially when gracie barra, Carlson Gracie, Dino Costeas, etc are all cheaper or the same price.

When I checked it out, the muay thai was NON-contact, and several of the students were like soccer moms. grappling looked okay though,

 

[pukematrixx]

yo how is victory martial arts because that is about 5 minutes away from my house. I used to pass it on my way to school


edit: I just looked at the website. I've actually been there before. From what I remember, it was 110 a month. way to expensive for getting lessons from a no name, especially when gracie barra, Carlson Gracie, Dino Costeas, etc are all cheaper or the same price.

When I checked it out, the muay thai was NON-contact, and several of the students were like soccer moms. grappling looked okay though,

My boy rolls there and has been for about a year and a half. His Jiu Jitsu is on point man, don't think because of lack of traditional names it's not good. I go to Gracie because I live in the Gold Coast.

 

[XJ3B]

I'm not saying it's not good, I'm saying for 110 dollars I would rather train with Arlovski, or Bonnar, or a real Gracie, or certified Gracie Barra instructors.

Im not looking at the name either, I'm looking at the credentials more. The instructor at gracie barra countryside is number one in the world for most of the competitions in his division.

 

[pukematrixx]

I'm not saying it's not good, I'm saying for 110 dollars I would rather train with Arlovski, or Bonnar, or a real Gracie, or certified Gracie Barra instructors.

Im not looking at the name either, I'm looking at the credentials more. The instructor at gracie barra countryside is number one in the world for most of the competitions in his division.

I'm not so sure you will actually train with either. I've seen Bonnar at Carlson and he's usually getting 1 on 1.

Been to both Pow and JABB on numerous occassions, have never seen the Pit Bull. Would like to though, I hear he's huge....and tv doesn't give him justice