Cast Iron Bjj

Cast Iron BJJ has been part of the Kansas City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene since 2014, founded and led by Josh Littleton—a 3rd degree black belt whose roots run through both the Renato Tavares Association and the early days of Midwest BJJ. Josh received his black belt from Jason Bircher and Renato Tavares after a decade of training, and his approach on the mats reflects a blend of technical precision and practical experience gained from backgrounds in wrestling, karate, boxing, and MMA. The academy’s reputation for careful instruction and friendly, competitive training comes directly from Josh’s hands-on involvement and ongoing commitment to learning from top practitioners like Renato Tavares, Royce Gracie, and João Miyao. The coaching team features a range of talent and experience. Travis Maddox, a black belt under Josh and Renato Tavares, has been competing and coaching in Kansas City since the late 1990s, with an emphasis on competition prep and bulletproof fundamentals. Tyler Berg brings a high-level wrestling pedigree from his time at the University of Missouri, translating relentless pressure and positional control into both wrestling and gi classes. Rounding out the staff, Andrew Lunnen is known for his clear, methodical breakdowns of technique, while Jared Kerns brings tournament-tested fundamentals to introductory no-gi and Friday night classes. Students at Cast Iron BJJ can train in both gi and no-gi throughout the week, with classes available mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Programs include adult and kids’ classes, women-only sessions, wrestling instruction, and dedicated competition training. Kids and teens have their own gi and no-gi classes, and open mats run on weekends. Drop-ins are welcome, and the facility is wheelchair accessible. Whether stepping onto the mat for the first time or preparing for competition, students find a structured, technical approach grounded in years of Midwest BJJ history.

Amenities