Greater Michigan's Premier Academy for authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA — built on sweat, repetition, and the Gracie way.

The Mission Whether you're stepping on the mat for the first time or preparing for your next professional fight — you'll train with accomplished black belts and pro fighters in a room that demands your best.

On the mats Grand Rapids · Holland · Kalamazoo

— Now on screen

01 Mat time

Claim Your First Class View Schedule

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu× MMA Striking× Kids BJJ× Wrestling× No-Gi× Open Mat× Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu× MMA Striking× Kids BJJ× Wrestling× No-Gi× Open Mat×

02 The Academy Greater Michigan

Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Taught the way it was taught to us.

Whether you are a novice, want a fun way to stay in shape, or are a professional fighter, we have classes and schedules to fit your training needs. Our coaching staff are active competitors — not just instructors.

We teach the art the way it was taught to us: grounded in fundamentals, tested in live rolls, and sharpened by a team that shows up for each other every single day.

20+ yrs

Coaching Experience

Combined mat time between head coach Cody (BJJ black belt, a decade under Daniel Gracie) and assistant Miguel (black belt, pro MMA veteran).

6°

Gracie Lineage

Daniel Gracie — Cody's coach, 2× BJJ World Champion and 6th-degree black belt.

Locations

Grand Rapids, Holland, and Kalamazoo — all open on the mats.

03 Heritage

Building Champions. — not just students.

Cody learned this art directly from Daniel Gracie in Philadelphia, through a lineage that runs back through Renzo Gracie to Hélio Gracie — the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Daniel is a sixth-degree black belt and 2× World Champion. That sacrifice — that will to be a champion — is what we pass on.

“Our lineage is Hélio, Renzo, Daniel… we are walking the very same path.” — Cody Hier, Head Coach

01 / Origin

Hélio Gracie

Founder of BJJ

02 / New York

Renzo Gracie

Renzo Gracie Academy

03 / Champion

Daniel Gracie

6° · 2× World Champ

04 / Here

Cody Hier

Black Belt · Head Instructor

04 Programs Three Disciplines · One Team

Pick your fight.
We'll match you with the right room.

01 / BJJ

Core

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Gi & No-Gi · Fundamentals & Advanced

A grappling art centered on controlling a resisting opponent until they submit. Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu curriculum, taught by a Daniel Gracie black belt — Gi and No-Gi classes throughout the week.

All Levels Gi & No-Gi All Ages 16+