Jiu Jitsu on the Screen: The Last of Us

Jiu-Jitsu has been featured In recent episodes of HBO’s hit series The Last of Us Season 2. Bella Ramsey, the actress portraying Ellie on screen dedicated two months to intensive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training so that Ellie’s fight scenes would ring true—showcasing armbars, triangle chokes, and even the less commonly seen omoplata submission. The ...

What Is the Difference Between Jujitsu and Karate?

When it comes to martial arts, the differences between jujitsu and karate may not be immediately apparent. While both are rooted in ancient traditions and emphasize discipline and skill, they diverge in their approach and techniques.Understanding these distinctions can provide valuable insight into the unique strengths and applications of each martial art. Whether ...

Using Jiu-Jitsu in a Real-World Self-Defense Scenario

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult your local laws and a qualified attorney for guidance on self-defense regulations in your area.1. Verbal De-Escalation & Situational AwarenessSpeak Calmly: “Hey, let’s keep this cool,” can often defuse tension before it spirals.Apologizing: Whether you are in the ...

April 2025 Promotions: Congratulations to Our Newly Promoted Students!

We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of the students who recently earned their next belt promotion at Gracie Martial Arts Tampa! Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance on the mats have truly paid off.A Big Round of Applause for Our PromoteesReceiving the first brown belt under head instructor Emiliano Cardona: JamesReceiving Purple Belts: ...

New Master Cycle Fundamentals Class Launching at GMAT

Transitioning from Gracie Combatives to the full Master Cycle can feel like a leap—from 36 core drills to several hundred advanced techniques. To bridge that gap, we’re excited to introduce our Master Cycle Fundamentals class at Gracie Martial Arts Tampa, designed to help you build rock-solid positional basics and confidence before diving into ...

From Combatives to Mastery: How Our Master Cycle Builds True Martial Artists

Transitioning from the Gracie Combatives beginner program to the Master Cycle is more than just the next belt—it’s the evolution from learning essential drills to becoming a well-rounded, strategic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. In this post, we’ll explore Combatives vs Master Cycle, highlight the Gracie Master Cycle benefits, and show why our advanced BJJ ...

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Nayeli Fernandez Sostre recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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I got nothing but great things to say about this place. Their trial option is amazing you get to try a little bit of both Combatives and Women Empowered classes and choose which one you like or both if you want to. The instructors are amazing, James and Kyle love them! Jessica has been a great help throughout the whole process and the owner, Emiliano, is so nice. All the other students you can tell they’re more advance but they will walk you through everything and they’re very patient. Very glad I took the first step here and that I chose them for this journey.

Yazan A recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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I had a fantastic experience at Gracie Martial Arts Tampa Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense! The owner, staff, and everyone at the gym were incredibly friendly and welcoming. From the moment I walked in, I felt like part of the community. The training was excellent, and the environment was positive and supportive. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, I highly recommend checking this place out!

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Jason Jeske recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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Gracie Martial Arts Tampa, led by Emiliano, is an exceptional place to learn the original and modern forms of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Having had the opportunity to compare it with other noteworthy schools, I found that this one particularly appeals to me. The program is well-structured and easy to follow, and the membership includes access to the outstanding online resources of Gracie University, especially the Combatives 2.0. It boasts a great atmosphere, and the people there create an ideal environment for learning one of the most effective self-defense martial arts available to everyone

Alyssa Sanchez recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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The experience here is first class! The teachers: Emiliano, James & Kyle took us through a lovely class on standing guillotine choke and punch block series 1-4. We train at a Gracie Certified Training Center in Orlando and this was a day visit to Tampa we are so glad we joined their welcoming community! Definitely will be back to visit again next time we’re in Tampa!

Jana Pauls recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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I highly recommend Gracie! I've done different martial arts and was always reluctant to do Jiu-Jitsu because there are very few girls doing it, and let's be real, who wants to roll around on the floor with random guys? I am SO GLAD I checked out the Women Empowered program! And because the instructors are very professional and attentive I even enrolled in Combatives and I'm LOVING IT! Come check it out!

Daniel Cannon recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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I highly recommend GMAT to anyone interested in learning self-defense but intimidated by what they see on TV (UFC, MMA, etc.). The instructors are highly professional, know their stuff, and can explain each move with a level of detail that is highly beneficial for any beginner of the art or practitioners trying to improve their skills. All instructors make you feel welcome and encourage an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual learning that is hard to find in many schools. GMAT is certified by the Gracie family and follows their curriculum, which is easy to follow and allows you to build on each lesson, teaching moves that can be used in a street fight and not moves that can only be used in competitions. You get access to videos of each lesson so you can practice on your own and go over each move before and after class.
I am a Law Enforcement Officer; I trained in a different school for 6 months and was discouraged by the lack of a true curriculum I could follow, the fact that you start rolling with any belt after three classes, never having enough time with the basic moves to do anything other than get beat on every roll for six months and get injured often, and the total emphasis on competition versus real-life applications left me wondering why I was spending so much time and money doing this. This is how many schools operate, and there is nothing wrong with that; it is just not what I was looking for or needed. I drive 45 min each way to GMAT, I have already used many of the things I learned here in real life in law enforcement with real people, and I can tell you that this program works! Give it a shot. You won't regret it.

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Welcome to the GMAT Blog

Jiu Jitsu on the Screen: The Last of Us

What Is the Difference Between Jujitsu and Karate?

Using Jiu-Jitsu in a Real-World Self-Defense Scenario

April 2025 Promotions: Congratulations to Our Newly Promoted Students!

New Master Cycle Fundamentals Class Launching at GMAT

From Combatives to Mastery: How Our Master Cycle Builds True Martial Artists