Hey guys, I've searched and seen some threads on here that have been done before on this topic but a lot of them are kind of dated so I am just wondering if there is anyone on here that has any information on what are the best mma gyms in Chicago, specifically the downtown area. I am a college student and am looking at joining a gym around the downtown area and just want to see what the best places are around, I've seen good stuff about Valko, but by looking at their schedule it looks like they don't offer too many striking classes and our geared more towards gi bjj classes. Also, I've read about POW kickboxing, but it looks like that's more geared towards getting in shape and not really an actual mma training gym. If anyone has any info it will be greatly appreciated.
mma gyms in chicago
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rbun
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http://www.chicagommatraining.com/mixed-martial-arts-training-facilities-chicago.htm
Probably ideal for you since it's in Jeweler's row (aka Wabash Street).
Plus, after training you can stop by Tilted Kilt and hit on the waitresses working there and say you train MMA.
Besides that, this seems ideal considering your location.
Probably ideal for you since it's in Jeweler's row (aka Wabash Street).
Plus, after training you can stop by Tilted Kilt and hit on the waitresses working there and say you train MMA.
Besides that, this seems ideal considering your location.
MickCollins
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Depends on what you are primarily looking for. There's Valko, Brazil 21, a UFC gym, a place called Emerald Smoke, little bit further North you have a Renzo affiliate, Carlson Jr's gym on Milwaukee ave, Andre Madiz at Conviction Fitness(and he teaches Muay Thai at Junior's school) etc.. New Breed is in Skokie and that'd be a hike.
Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah Skokie would be a little too far for me, I'm looking more for something in the Loop. Have you guys heard anything about POW? It's right by Union station, which is where I take the train everyday, so for location it looks like its the best for me so far, I'm just worried its going to be more of an exercise thing rather than a technical mma gym. Also, for Valko, on their schedule on their website it looks like its mostly gi bjj, do you guys know if maybe the schedule might not be updated and that they also have more striking and no gi classes as well? Thanks
Yeah I was looking into that, but I've seen some bad things about it on the internet regarding their memberships (scamming somebody for a membership fee after they quit) Have you guys heard anything about this gym?
As far as I know, there is no pure MMA gym near the loop that has a big reputation.
That's partially because you need a base art before doing MMA. Whether it's wrestling, BJJ or striking, you should train it in isolation before starting to "mix" them up. What's your training background? If you're a complete beginner, I'd totally recommend a solid base in one thing first.
There was some sort of split in that Carlson Gracie location, and Jr opened up a new gym way north of the loop. It was honestly a clusterfuck. And yes, it was guilty of very shady billing practices.
Also, that place was a very traditional bjj gym. No takedowns. Almost no no gi, striking class was mainly noobs.
Valko is a really good gym. There's plenty of no gi. Also lots of wrestling classes, and bjj classes that mainly start on the feet. Having wrestling classes is clutch. Can't really find that anywhere else.
Good luck finding a place!
That's partially because you need a base art before doing MMA. Whether it's wrestling, BJJ or striking, you should train it in isolation before starting to "mix" them up. What's your training background? If you're a complete beginner, I'd totally recommend a solid base in one thing first.
There was some sort of split in that Carlson Gracie location, and Jr opened up a new gym way north of the loop. It was honestly a clusterfuck. And yes, it was guilty of very shady billing practices.
Also, that place was a very traditional bjj gym. No takedowns. Almost no no gi, striking class was mainly noobs.
Valko is a really good gym. There's plenty of no gi. Also lots of wrestling classes, and bjj classes that mainly start on the feet. Having wrestling classes is clutch. Can't really find that anywhere else.
Good luck finding a place!
Avoid that place
MickCollins
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I visited POW once and it seemed to be a Krav Maga place. As others have said, you’d probably be better off looking for a place that specializes in your interest. If you aren’t into BJJ, find a place that does boxing/kickboxing.
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What college will you be coming from? We are just off the Orange-line Halsted stop. Close to UIC, MotaMartialArts.com
POW's website gives their MMA program little justice. Dino is highly skilled and if POW is convenient for you check it out
tristanESP
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Threshold is an Alliance affiliate run by a brown belt. Don't know to much about him but his assistant instructor is a purple belt who regularly competes and places. How much experience do you have? You should definitely check them out and if New Breed in Niles isn't too far from you, check them out too. Bigger gym with tons of guys with experience.
Thanks for the reply, man! I am just getting started in BJJ, so no experience at all. I have heard great things about New Breed, but it is about 35 min away so a bit far. I still want to go and check it out because I tend to get obsessed and if the place is as awesome as I hear then I might just have to take on the drive
...Threshold is about 10 min away thats why I am thinking about it so much.Thanks for taking the time!
Would help a bit if you gave us some info on what training you already have and what your goals are. How much you weigh would be important as well. You also might want to consider choosing one place for grappling (gi, nogi, wrestling) and find another for striking as there are prob some good boxing gyms close to downtown.
Agree with MagicWand about Valko's for the downtown chicago area. They do have a lot of gi classes but they also have some good wrestling and nogi classes. They have been around for a while and have a good range of skill levels at most classes.
New Breed is in Skokie and has Eddie Wineland training there, and he is on a nice run in the UFC so there is certainly some good MMA training there. Have not done any MMA classes there but the BJJ classes are good and they have a lot of different options for class times.
Thanks everyone who for the kind words about Valko BJJ 
We don't have MMA classes, but we do have MMA fighters. We basically make sure a potential fighter is solid in BJJ/wrestling/striking then train MMA with him leading up to fight. As of now we only have three striking classes a week, but I hope to add some more as they are starting to get pretty popular.
There's lots of good BJJ in Chicago and the surrounding area, you really have a lot of great schools to choose from. I'd say just try out a free class at as many as possible and make an informed decision.
Feel free to post or PM if you have any questions.
We don't have MMA classes, but we do have MMA fighters. We basically make sure a potential fighter is solid in BJJ/wrestling/striking then train MMA with him leading up to fight. As of now we only have three striking classes a week, but I hope to add some more as they are starting to get pretty popular.
There's lots of good BJJ in Chicago and the surrounding area, you really have a lot of great schools to choose from. I'd say just try out a free class at as many as possible and make an informed decision.
Feel free to post or PM if you have any questions.
Thanks everyone who for the kind words about Valko BJJ
We don't have MMA classes, but we do have MMA fighters. We basically make sure a potential fighter is solid in BJJ/wrestling/striking then train MMA with him leading up to fight. As of now we only have three striking classes a week, but I hope to add some more as they are starting to get pretty popular.
There's lots of good BJJ in Chicago and the surrounding area, you really have a lot of great schools to choose from. I'd say just try out a free class at as many as possible and make an informed decision.
Feel free to post or PM if you have any questions.
Do you know anything about POW with Dino Costeas, or Team Redzovic? Thanks
I don't know much about POW except that my judo coach (RJ Cohen) also teaches kids there.
Adem Redzovic is a good dude. I'm not sure how much no gi they do, but I'm sure they run a tight ship.
Like I said, there's lots of options. I'm sure most places will allow you a free class or two.
Adem Redzovic is a good dude. I'm not sure how much no gi they do, but I'm sure they run a tight ship.
Like I said, there's lots of options. I'm sure most places will allow you a free class or two.
I have seen many great gyms represented in fights in the Chicagoland area. I can't seem to find one that is as caring and well represented as Dion Ricardo's Victory Martial Arts Academy. I have been going on and off for three years now. I first started in Orland Park with Anthony and Danny. The best part is that they provide several instructors ranging from adults to young teens who have mastered the art and can teach MMA, but most importantly, self defense. The classes are designed to help you in real life situations, which for me being an aspiring police officer, that is extremely important. I took some time off because I needed to go back to college a lot. However, they never forgot about me and have treated me like family since day 1. With several locations all over Chicago and its suburbs, Victory is a great family atmosphere and place to learn the sport of MMA and self defense.
TheBJJProfessor
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I haven't updated it in a long time, but http://www.BJJinChicago.com has a huge list of academy reviews and a lot of info about the local Chicago BJJ scene.
