Consistency

Technique

Community

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Louisville.

A welcoming academy for adults, kids, and toddlers. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or building on years of experience, you belong here.

Build skills, improve your fitness, and learn self-defense with supportive coaches and training partners.

Start with a free trial week or our 10 days for $10 all-access trial.

Start your trial View the schedule Explore memberships

What we stand for

Consistency

Show up, take small steps, and build lasting progress.

Technique

Learn the details that turn practice into skill and confidence.

Community

Train with people who support your growth and celebrate your progress.

Mavericks courses with Jon Thomas and Espen — all access includedALL ACCESS

Proud Mavericks affiliate

Your training continues beyond the mat.

Every Old Louisville Jiu Jitsu student receives all-access to Mavericks online instruction and video companion courses as part of their membership.

Review techniques after class, revisit the details, and build on what you learn with instruction from Jon Thomas and Espen.

Explore Mavericks

A personal connection to world-class jiu-jitsu. Jon Thomas—Joseph’s brother and a Mavericks co-owner—regularly visits our academy to teach, sometimes bringing world-class competitors with him. It’s another way our students can learn, connect, and grow.

Weekly class schedule

Find your next class. All times are Louisville local time.

Monday

  • BJJ · Gi
  • Toddler BJJ
  • Kids BJJ · Gi
  • BJJ · Gi

Tuesday

  • BJJ · Gi
  • BJJ drilling
  • Women’s BJJ
    Paused till the new year

Wednesday

  • Muay Thai
  • BJJ · Gi
  • Toddler BJJ
  • Kids BJJ · Gi
  • BJJ · Gi

Thursday

  • BJJ · Gi
  • Yoga
  • Kids Muay Thai
  • Muay Thai

Friday

  • BJJ · No-Gi

Saturday

  • No classes

Sunday

  • Open Mat

Schedule subject to change. Check Instagram for cancellations. New here? Contact us to start your trial.

Training partners practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu technique at Old Louisville Jiu Jitsu Academy

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and self-defense system that focuses on technique and leverage to control and submit opponents, making it effective for all ages, sizes, and fitness levels

  • We offer everyone a free trial week. We want to make sure you are excited to train and you enjoy our coaching style. Feel free to come by and check us out.

Yoga

  • I focus on yoga for longevity — simple, sustainable movement practices that help you feel better, move better, and live stronger on and off the mats.

    I studied through Yoga for BJJ and ISSA and have certifications through both programs.

  • Yoga classes are included in all gym memberships, including if your child trains with us. Drop in yoga is a suggested $5 fee.

  • Through Friends of Central Park, we’ve been able to facilitate free yoga classes on Saturdays at 10am during the summer in Central Park.

    2025 Yoga in the Park is June-August. Keep an eye out for any future dates.

Self Defense Workshops

  • Our coaches are available for private self defense workshops and demonstrations.

Find your place on the mat.

Room to grow. People to grow with.

Adult training partners practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Old Louisville Jiu Jitsu Academy

Adult jiu-jitsu

Build technique, confidence, and fitness with supportive training partners. From your first class to your next challenge, there’s room to grow here.

Explore adult jiu-jitsu
Training partners practicing back control at the academy

Women’s jiu-jitsu

Learn together, build skills, and find your confidence in a welcoming training community.

See class times
Coach awarding a stripe to a young student at Old Louisville Jiu Jitsu Academy

Kids & toddlers

Celebrate the small steps. Build confidence, technique, and consistency with a supportive coach.

Explore kids & toddler classes
Muay Thai students training together at Old Louisville Jiu Jitsu Academy

Muay Thai

Build striking skills, fitness, and confidence with a supportive team. Train punches, kicks, knees, and elbows in our Muay Thai classes.

Explore Muay Thai classes
Private party guests enjoying a playful inflatable sword and shield battle

Private parties

Bring your people together for something a little different. Ask us about hosting your next private party.

Plan a private party
Old Louisville teammates gathering together between matches at a tournament

Community goes beyond class.

From everyday training to cheering each other on at tournaments, we show up for one another. You don’t have to compete to belong.

Consistency. Technique. Community.
That’s what we build together.

Come meet your training partners

Find your way to train.

Membership options for every stage. Tap a card for full details.

All-access

$150 / month

Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, yoga, and workouts. All classes included.

View membership details

Muay Thai

$70 / month

Access to all Muay Thai classes.

View membership details

Kids jiu-jitsu

$125 / month

For ages 5 and up.

View membership details

Toddler jiu-jitsu

$50 / month

For ages 2–4.

View membership details

Yoga

$80 / month

Yoga classes only.

View membership details
Compare all memberships & drop-in options

More than your time on the mat.

Explore private coaching, Mavericks online instruction, and our open mat community.

Explore Training & Benefits

What our community says

  • Signed up for jiu-jitsu back in April! My boyfriend and I take these classes together and we LOVE it! It’s a fun way for us to do an activity together and learn new skills! I definitely feel safer in general knowing I’ve learned some great self defense moves in the process! Joe and Yani are great instructors and very friendly and personable, they make sure everyone at the gym feels comfortable and it makes for great camaraderie!

    Kelsey Neuwirth

  • Yoga with Yani is a must add into your schedule once a week. My back has been locked up for over six weeks…today I did a class and my back actually released within the class and I was able to move better than when I got there. The passion from the instructor is there, the vibes are there, now you’ve got to get there!

    Brandi Ramos

  • Amazing facility’s and fantastic instruction and staff. If I could give 10 stars ⭐️ I would.

    Dan Spence

  • 10/10 recommend coming here if you would like to learn self defense in an encouraging and welcoming environment. Amazing instructors and peers.

    Cody Cooper

  • They hosted a Femme Fatale class for free and it was so informative and helpful. Really enjoyed all the tips and tricks and just how relaxed of an environment it was. Left feeling way more confident in myself and my abilities.

    Sarah Laufer

  • Great bjj gym. New mats and perfect location especially for UofL students. Joe is very nice and very good at teaching techniques. The team is still small because the gym only opened recently, but I learned a lot more and a lot faster than in the big gyms.

    Arthur

  • This is one of the more unique places I have trained. From the great location and vibe to the obvious technical expertise, I was very happy to have found Joe and his gym.

    Nick

  • Great spot for bjj. Joe the owner was super kind and accommodating me as a visitor. The gym itself has a cool brick/industrial vibe and is probably the most central to where I was staying in NuLu of any of the other bjj gyms which is a plus. Top notch instruction from Tomas the nogi instructor and I picked up some helpful tips on my nogi leg lock game. Highly recommend this if you’re visiting Louisville!

    Vuthana

  • Took some BJJ lessons with Joe while visiting town. Loved his passion and attention to detail.

    Thanks so much!

    Giorgia