Checkmat BJJ Gallatin

Checkmat BJJ Gallatin offers a structured curriculum that covers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals, advanced gi and no-gi grappling, and wrestling for both adults and kids. The academy’s teaching is organized by age and skill level, with dedicated classes for younger children (ages 4–8), older kids (9–12), and adults. Beginners work through fundamentals in the gi, while more experienced students have options to branch into no-gi classes and competition-focused open mats. Wrestling and catch wrestling are also woven into the weekly schedule, reflecting the instructors’ diverse backgrounds. The team is led by Professor Sebastian Rodriguez, a Checkmat black belt with over 25 years on the mats and a decade as a professional MMA fighter. Rodriguez’s lineage runs through Professor Ricardo Pantcho Feliciano and to the Checkmat headquarters founded by Leo Vieira, establishing deep roots within the competition-focused team. In addition to his BJJ credentials, Rodriguez holds a third-degree black belt in Japanese Kempo Karate and is formally trained in kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing, and judo. His approach blends technical precision with cross-disciplinary experience, emphasizing respect, consistency, and growth. The instructor roster also includes Professor Rob Morris, who came up under Paragon BJJ and brings decades of law enforcement combatives experience, and coaches like Harris Bowman and Charles Cook, each contributing competition and coaching backgrounds in wrestling, MMA, and self-defense. Classes at Checkmat Gallatin are designed to support personal progress and family participation. Kids’ programs focus on building confidence, teamwork, and fitness, while adults can pursue self-defense, sport jiu-jitsu, or competition training. The facility welcomes drop-ins and offers open mat sessions for visitors and members to train together. With its team-based structure and a head instructor rooted in both local and international jiu-jitsu, the academy serves as a steady home for grapplers in Gallatin and the surrounding area.

Amenities