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 ...

10 Ways Gracie Combatives Will Change Your Body, Mind & Social Life

10 Ways Gracie Combatives Will Change Your Body, Mind & Social LifeWhether you’re looking for a fresh way to get in shape, build unshakable discipline, or expand your circle of friends, Gracie Combatives delivers. Designed as the ultimate beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, our 23-lesson curriculum focuses on the 36 most effective self-defense techniques—no ...

Why Is It Inaccurate to Call Karate a Martial Art?

You may be inclined to believe that karate is just another martial art, but the truth is much more complex. As you consider the historical origins, philosophical foundations, and cultural significance of karate, you will come to understand why it is inaccurate to simply label it as a martial art. The intricate integration ...

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Kimberly Braun recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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Our son started the Gracie Bullyproof program in early February and he loves it. It's cool to see his confidence grow. He's become more social in Jiu-jitsu class as well as outside of the program. He's also become more respectful and mature, even just in this short time. We can't say enough good things about the coaches, they are all wonderful, and the kids just adore them. We highly recommend Gracie Jiu-jitsu HB - we couldn't be happier!

Renn Shaver recommends Gracie Martial Arts Tampa

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I have been training here for several years and cannot recommend it enough. Carlos is an excellent instructor who can work with folks of all ages and all focus types. From children to adults, from hobbyists to serious practitioners. I drive to Huntington Beach specifically to train at this gym although many other gyms and affiliations are more convenient for my schedule.

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Gracie Martial Arts Tampa Florida Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense

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720 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Suite 2, Tampa, FL, 33603, United States

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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

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

10 Ways Gracie Combatives Will Change Your Body, Mind & Social Life

Why Is It Inaccurate to Call Karate a Martial Art?