16033 N 77th St suite b, Scottsdale, AZ
Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense in Scottsdale is led by Professor Gavin Sonnier, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with over a decade of dedicated training and competition experience. Originally from Welsh, Louisiana, Gavin began his journey at Gracie Barra in 2013 and has since earned podium finishes at major tournaments, including the IBJJF World Championships, Pan-Americans, and gold at the IBJJF American Nationals. After moving to Arizona, he brought his belief in discipline, resilience, and personal growth to the Scottsdale academy, where he strives to ensure every student feels supported and valued. The academy follows the structured Gracie Barra curriculum, offering a clear progression from fundamentals to advanced training. Beginners start in the GB1 Fundamentals program, which covers self-defense and core techniques, before advancing to GB2 and GB3, where students take on more complex drills, live training, and, for advanced ranks, no-gi sessions. Specialized programs include the GBK Kids program, which focuses on confidence, discipline, and age-appropriate self-defense, and the GBF Women’s Program, designed to introduce women to jiu-jitsu in a supportive setting with a path to join the full curriculum. Classes run throughout the week, with morning, midday, and evening options to accommodate different schedules, and sessions available on weekends. Coach Amanda, a decorated former U.S. National Wrestling Team member, brings her grappling expertise and focus on academy culture to the team, emphasizing the value of relationships and personal growth alongside technical development. The school is wheelchair accessible and welcomes students from all backgrounds who are interested in training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a structured, lineage-driven environment.
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Part of Gracie Barra — the affiliation currently ranks #1 on the IBJJF gi academy ranking.
Team affiliation ranking — reflects the competition results of the wider Gracie Barra team across all its academies, not this location alone.
From public IBJJF & ADCC 2025–26 season rankings (data as of Jun 2, 2026). ADCC figures reflect this gym's own competitors; the IBJJF rank is its affiliation's standing, shared across all its academies.
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