Ares East Mesa BJJ Academy

Ares East Mesa BJJ Academy in Mesa, Arizona, is led by Professor Alex Martinez, a first-degree black belt under Paul Nava and the Ares Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. Martinez has competed in IBJJF tournaments and professional superfights across the country, and his approach blends technical rigor with a focus on personal growth for each student. The academy’s coaching staff features several black belts, including Carlos Morales and Aderito “Dee” Cardoso, each bringing their own lineage and competition backgrounds to the mat. The kids’ program is overseen by Justin Belcher, an experienced instructor and active competitor who emphasizes confidence and character development for young students. Training at Ares East Mesa is structured around both gi and no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with fundamentals, mixed-level, and advanced classes available for adults. The schedule includes specialized programs such as women’s-only BJJ, youth mixed-level classes, and the Little Warriors gi program for younger children. Coaches like Steve Benton and Colin Opper contribute additional expertise in fundamentals and wrestling, drawing from backgrounds in military service and folkstyle wrestling. The academy also offers open mats, providing students with extra time to refine their skills and spar with teammates. The presence of multiple black belts and instructors with varied training histories ensures that students receive a wide spectrum of technical perspectives, rather than a single-instructor approach. The curriculum emphasizes solid fundamentals, positional proficiency, and progression at every level, reflecting Martinez’s competitive experience and the collective knowledge of the coaching staff. The academy is wheelchair accessible and welcomes drop-ins for most classes.

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