Top 3 MMA gyms in Miami Florida!

In the United States, there’s hardly a city more interested in fitness as much as Miami. Fitness has been a core of the city and now Miami residents have started to discover the secrets of mixed martial arts training as a form of fitness. But even more so, many have started MMA training for self-defense, competition, and self-development purposes. 

No wonder it is the hometown of UFC stars like Kamaru Usman, Jorge Masvidal, and Colby Covington. Whichever reason is your motivation for starting MMA, here are the best gyms in the city where you can train and hone your mixed martial arts skills.

1. Freestyle Fighting Academy

Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal pictured with the AFC belt with coaches and fellow teammates at Freestyle Fighting Academy.

If you want a gym that could fit into your tight schedule, then this gym is the one. It is open 24 hours but that’s not even the reason why it is first on our list. It is a great choice for kids, women, and people of any age irrespective of fitness level. Don’t worry, the trainers at Freestyle Fighting Academy will get you in shape in a little time.

Whatever your goals are, this relatively large gym would accommodate them. For one, it is popular for its members’ successes in MMA competitions. Well for a fact, the training method used is top draw, but perhaps their success might be due to the trainers there having over 30 years’ experience. So, one certain thing is you’d be in capable hands.

When joining, be prepared to go through a personal interview session where you’d discuss your goals and reason for joining. It would help measure your progress and the instructors could use it to personalize your training. Cool, right? Well, this gym is so confident in its credentials that it offers 30 days free and a money-back guarantee of 60 days. If I lived in Miami, I’d definitely check it out.

2. Fight Sports Miami

60 min Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi training class with coach Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu overseeing the action pictured above at Fight Sports Club Miami.

Fight Sports Miami is jiu-jitsu based, but don’t worry, it has been relatively successful in the MMA circuit. And since its major martial arts; jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, and capoeira, are physically intensive sports, you’d get a good workout out of the training as well. 

In a short time, you’d lose weight and start throwing dudes around. As regards competition, the gym is dedicated to forging champions. I mean, its owner, Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, is a 5-time super heavyweight champion, so it for sure takes competition seriously.

Also, it has self-defense-specific training, hence why it is a great choice for women, children, and anyone looking to learn self-defense. One thing however is that due to the focus on competition, its system might be a little too intense if you’re training for fitness or casual self-defense. But regardless, unity is a central motto here and it intends to make the gym your second home. Also, if you’re interested in using jiu-jitsu as a base for your MMA training, then this is perhaps the best place for that in Miami.

Fight Sports Miami building and Gym pictured.

This gym is very welcoming. Even if it is your first day of doing anything athletic, don’t feel intimidated. Also, if you don’t have BJJ gear, being your first day, they’d let you borrow the right gear for you.

3. Carlson Gracie Miami

Large team pictured before a training session at Carlson Gracie Miami!

This is no doubt one of the best overall gyms in the city. Why? Well, the gym offers grappling and striking classes as well as several workouts that’d keep you super fit. Even better it has modern equipment, a spacious environment, and there are more than enough senior students that’d be willing to spar with you and teach you some things. It is the kind of gym that’d welcome you with open arms. No doubt, its environment is top notch and with all kinds of people present here, you won’t feel lost.

The priority of this gym is self-defense. It teaches Gracie jiu-jitsu – the most effective self-defense martial arts system known to man. So if you’re frail, weak, or small, you’d be equipped with the tools necessary to defend yourself against bigger and stronger opponents. Hence why Carlson Gracie Miami is open to all ages and levels.

If you’re there for competition, then you’re in the right place as its inspiration Carlson Gracie is a former MMA and BJJ competitor and he has raised so many champion-level fighters. Some of the instructors there are Michel Pereira, Jose Pita, and Marco Prado.

One downside however is that the gym is pretty expensive. Although it offers several free trials and introductory classes, you might have to dig deep into your pockets for this one. However, if you’re a firefighter or Law enforcement, you’d be allowed a special discount. There are even family discounts.

Well, those are our Top 3 MMA Gyms in Miami. Feel free to access their pros and cons and choose the one best for you.