MMA is the fastest-growing sport in the world and Montreal’s fight scene is by far the best in the country and one of the best on the planet. Even though many gyms have spurted out following the meteoric rise of UFC, few places demarcate themselves with their quality of teaching, sense of community, and the progress the students are making on weekly basis. Here are the best Mixed Martial Arts gyms in Montreal!
1. Angry Monkey MMA
Based in Verdun, just a few blocks from the metro station of the same name, Angry Monkey MMA is one of those special “je ne sais quoi” gyms. Its founder and head striking coach Justin Etheridge, is also the president of the World Kickboxing Federation of Quebec. Etheridge managed to create a safe space where hardcore training is perfectly balanced with a sense of community. The gym has produced multiple champions in K-1 Kickboxing and many fierce competitors in Muay Thai, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The key element of the gym is the submission grappling coach Alexandre Brock Arteau who is probably the nicest scary guy you will ever meet. His BJJ crew, which meets 6 days/week, feels more like a friendly gathering than a class.
If you looking to lose weight, the boxing coach, restless Coney Reyes, won’t let you leave her class unless you are drenched in sweat and a bit overwhelmed but still wanting to come back for more. The Gym also has close ties with World Champions like Liam Harrison , Jean Charles Skarbowsky and Bas Rutten
Address: 5139 Rue de Verdun, Verdun, QC H4G 1N6
Phone: (514) 543-6107
2. Tristar Gym
Lead by World-Renowned Coach Firas Zahabi. Tristar is home to many great Internationally recognized Fighters, such as Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, David “Crow” Loiseau, Kenny Florian, Miguel Torres, Ivan Menjivar, Yves Jabouin, John Makdessi, Denis Kang, and many more. In BJJ, Firas has helped develop a few of no-gi’s best, names such as Ethan Crelinsten, Oliver Taza, and Pierre-Olivier Leclerc. Tristar Gym is one of the top professional MMA training camps.
3. Apex Martial Arts
Apex Martial Arts isn’t a gym, its a community. You will join a dynamic environment where the coaches and students will push you harder and further than you could ever go alone. They are a team and a family. Ryan Parsons opened the first APEX gym at 21 years old in 2006. To this day, he still competes in Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. He is a certified instructor under Kru Nokweed Sriampai of Muay Thai School USA. He holds black belts from Zen Dragon Martial arts and Fang Shen Do Kung-Fu, and a Blue Belt from 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu under Louis Ho.
4. Bujutsu Montreal
Founded by Louis-Christophe Laurin, Bujutsu Montreal offers self-defence, bujutsu, weapon training and combat sports: kickboxing, submission grappling and MMA. In modern history usage, bujutsu means martial art or military science, and is typified by its practical application of the technique to real-world situations.
Lessons for children and adults, beginners and advanced.
5. 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a non-traditional no-gi jiu-jitsu system developed by Eddie Bravo.
Bravo’s system focused on training without the traditional gi, becoming one of the first jiu-jitsu schools to do so. The idea behind this was to try to implement as many of the techniques as possible in MMA competitions. Bravo became known in 2003 by submitting Royler Gracie at the ADCC Championship, after which he launched his 10th Planet jiu-jitsu team, a program that is gathering a huge following in the grappling and mixed martial arts (MMA) communities.
6. Carlson Gracie Team Montreal
Tri Nguyen is a brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. He has also trained under Renzo Gracie in NYC and received his blue belt from Renzo in 2000. He then spent several years at the renowned AMC Pankration Martial Arts Center located in Seattle WA taught by the Mixed-martial-arts great- Matt Hume. He has also trained at Carlson Gracie- London UK and at Montreal BJJ Revolution. Tri also holds a judo brown belt from Iranian wrestling and Canadian judo champion- Mohammad Khorrami.
7. Titans Academy
Titans Academy specializes in Muay Thai and is honored to have Kru Ash as a coach, a leading authority in the field. At our school, all of our students surpass themselves and become better people through the philosophy of martial arts. Training is not only beneficial for physical fitness, but also for mental strength, self-confidence, focus, etc. In addition, Muaythai is a great form of self defense.
Interested in learning Muaythai and self-defense techniques in Montreal? Call them! Their martial arts and physical training center covers 8,000 square feet and has been offering its services since 2012
8. Victory Training Center
MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Eskrima/ Kali and Fitness in one center for one price for all ages.
9. Mizu Studio Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling
Mizu Studio is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Studio with Wrestling and Muay Thai Kickboxing in Saint-Henri/Montreal. No contracts. No politics. Accessible training for everyone. They welcome practitioners from any school and of any art and pride themselves on being beginner and family friendly while providing the highest level of training. They created a club- and family-like atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Be it a beginner with no previous experience in martial arts or a seasoned competitor — they share mats, exchange knowledge and improve together. They despise hidden fees, up-selling, and forced contracts and strive to make martial arts truly accessible to anyone.
10. H20 MMA
In addition to mixed martial arts, Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, H2O MMA runs women’s kickboxing courses that take place up to four times a week. If you prefer really intense training, you can join sparring and advanced drills, which are recommended only for experienced practitioners.
