We use the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA). Instead of memorizing static moves that fail under pressure, we play resistance-based games from Day One. This "Ecological" method builds faster reflexes and real-world adaptability because you are always solving problems against a resisting partner, not a dummy.

It means we aren't bound by tradition for tradition's sake. Our style blends high-level Jiu-Jitsu with Catch Wrestling and MMA concepts. We prioritize what works in a fight (control, heavy top pressure, and strikes) over what scores points in a sport-only tournament.

Absolutely not. Our MMAX BJJ Syllabus is designed to take you from zero technical knowledge all the way to elite competitor. When you do roll with upper belts, our culture emphasizes "mutual benefit" meaning you must get something out of the training and they must get something out of the training.

We may recommend that you sit out some rounds or that you pace yourself because going from doing absolutely nothing, exercise wise, to jumping into task-based-games and live rolling can be quite hard on the body without easing into a consistent exercise regime. So, under not circumstance should you go from sitting on the coach to trying to exercise like you were still in high school. We want you to be successful long term.

Training martial arts is a marathon, not a 100 meter dash. Train accordingly.

There are four primary belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: White, Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black. Each belt, except the black belt, comes with 4 stripes. Black Belts also have stripes, that are based on "time-in-grade" (how long you've been a black belt). In theory, there are 10 "degrees" or "stripes" on a blackbelt (that at some point stops being a blackbelt), but a 10th degree blackbelt is almost always a person nearing 80 years old and are living legends that have spent almost their entire life on the mats training BJJ.

We like to compare the Belt Rankings in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as similar to learning a language:

- White Belts: White Belts can spell words and by their 3rd or 4th stripe (each belt has 4 stripes), the can put simple words together: "See Spot Go, See Spot Run, Spot is a dog, etc."

- Blue Belts: Blue belts can comfortably put words together in ever increasing complexity. By their 3rd or 4th stripe, they can create complex sentences, "Spot, while a dog, is capable of many human emotions; emotions such as love or compassion and even grace."

- Purple Belts: Purple belts can comfortable put sentences together in ever increasing complexity. They "speak" in paragraphs.

- Brown Belts: Brown belts can tell whole stories in numerous and varied ways. On top of this, they're learning to create rhyming patterns so that they can create poetry.
- Black Belts: Black belts speak in poetry. They create increasingly sublime, increasingly nuanced poems that not just communicate well, but they do so with a wit, an understanding of the language, that is beautiful to watch unfold.

A couple of things:

#1 When rolling, when two partner groups get close to each other, the lower ranked student(s) moves away from the higher ranked student(s). If you're not sure who is ranked higher or lower, assume you're ranked lower. This teaches you sparring etiquette and it also teaches you situational awareness. Don't get so wrapped up in training that you become a "mat HOG."

#2 Every time you step on the mats, wash your feet. If you wear wrestling shoes on the mat, which is completely acceptable, do not wear those shoes in the bathroom. Get some slides or sandals or something and wear those. Don't drag funk onto the mats where you're getting ready to put your face (or someone else's face).

#3 "Rolling" (The BJJ version of "sparring") is a conversation. Each movement is either a statement or a question. It's important to speak respectfully to each other while engaging in tasks or while engaging in "rolling" (sparring for BJJ). If you "shout" ("explode" out of/into something, use A LOT of speed/strength, decide to become "acrobatic", etc.) at someone, expect them to tolerate it while they help you return to a speaking voice, but if you keep "shouting" don't be surprised if they "shout" back.

#4 Use your words. If you're concerned, have a question, don't understand, feel like someone is being "hard" on you? Use your words. With your partner. With the Coach. With an advanced student. If a round gets a bit more competitive than you'd like it to be, it's ok to say, "That's a bit faster/harder than I feel comfortable with. Can we tone it down a little?" Universally, the answer will be "Yes, absolutely." Unless... you start slow and then start "shouting" to get an advantage/when you start losing. Don't be the "Let's go light" person who starts "Light" and then ramps it up to 11 (Spinal Tap reference...)

#5 When we start from our feet you are NEVER allowed to throw your body weight at someone (i.e. Jump "Guard," Flying Scissor (Kani Basami), etc. All takedowns have to be controlled, similar to Highschoo/Folk Style wrestling rules: If you're going to the ground, a part of you (such as your knee, your elbow, etc.) has to be on the ground before your partner hits the ground.

#6 Dana White/Craig Jones/Helio Gracie won't be handing out belts, contracts, or awards at the end of class. Train hard, train smart, but remember just about everyone has to go to work tomorrow. And the athletes that aren't going to work tomorrow, still have to train hard tomorrow.

#7 Train/"Roll" with a purpose. Never just "wing it" while you're training/rolling. Think of every class like your own personal laboratory. Focus on specific things that you want to get better at across all classes and you'll find your skill increase exponentially. Get a journal. Use it. If you're not sure how, ask a coach; we would LOVE to help you!

#8 Unique amongst the areas BJJ gyms, in every class students are permitted (and even encouraged) to wear MMA gloves in the BJJ class. To our athletes that are preparing for a career in MMA, learning to negotiate with punches in every BJJ class and every BJJ situation is extremely important. If you're going to do this, we just ask that you tape your gloves because velcro can scratch people something fierce! If you see someone that doesn't have tape on their gloves, you can always remind them to put tape so that they don't scratch you.

You will never be punched by someone that is training for MMA, if you're only training BJJ. MMA Glove people can only punch other MMA glove people. If you're not wearing MMA gloves, no one will ever punch you or simulate punches on you.

#9 Similar to #8, ten (10) unanswered punches thrown by the top person is the same as a submission for someone wearing MMA gloves. So, don't be surprised to see people being "submitted" by Ground and Pound (GnP).

#10 Lastly, the CLA (Constraints Led Approach) methodology takes a little time to get acclimated to. Please ask questions. All of coaches have gotten down on their hands and knees and literally begged people to ask questions. Help us, help you. Help US, help YOU. Ask questions, we love questions.

We offer both Gi and No-Gi classes. For your trial, comfortable gym clothes (t-shirt and shorts) are perfect. If you join, we will help you get the appropriate gear for the specific classes you want to attend. Lots of our students only want to train no-gi (without the traditional uniform). Lots of our students only want to train in the gi (with the traditional uniform). The majority train both. Whichever one you want to train, is completely up to you!

At KMAA, belts are earned through skill acquisition, not just attendance. While everyone progresses at their own speed, our Ecological training method typically helps students develop usable skills faster than traditional rote memorization. The average time is around 18 months (a year and a half), which is pretty standard for the blue belt.

"I thought you said I'd get better faster via the ecological/CLA methodology?" You will. The reason we're about the same as everyone else is that we ask you to know more than most other schools. The belt only covers around 3" of your rear-end, the rest you've got to cover yourself. KMAA wants to ensure you can protect your whole hind-quarters... :-)

What's the IBJJF? IBJJF stands for the "International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation." It's an organization that seeks to keep competition between equally skilled opponents and in order to do so have become a bit of a regulatory body for the competitive version of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a sport.

KMAA is not IBJJF recognized. KMAA does not seek to be IBJJF recognized.

While we appreciate that the IBJJF has a laudable goal and that a bit of bureaucracy can be good for a competitive environment, we are not really interested in that style of BJJ (pure sport). There are amazing athletes and truly revolutionary ways of thinking about BJJ that develop within that ruleset, and we are in absolute awe of the athletes, coaches, and teams that really shine in this environment; we just emphasize a different aspect of BJJ.

We teach you to grapple effectively first, which covers all rulesets. While we are familiar with IBJJF rules for tournaments, we do not limit our curriculum to them. We teach many, many things that would not be IBJJF approved such as leg locks, cervical locks, and control positions that are often banned in "sport" BJJ but are essential for self-defense or Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

If you're looking for a purely Sport Focused style of BJJ KMAA is not the gym for you. Knoxville is blessed to have some truly amazing Sport BJJ teams and coaches and we would whole-heartedly recommend some of them.