What is this martial arts school near Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks California?
If you are hanging around the Sports Academy in Newbury Park and looking for other options or just trying to get the lay of the land in the Conejo Valley, you will quickly realize that this part of Ventura County is a massive hub for high level training. While Gabriel Arges runs a world class ship at Gracie Barra, there is another heavy hitter just a stone’s throw away that people always talk about in the same breath. That would be Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA over on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.
Stepping into Bas Rutten’s place is a totally different experience than the structured, traditional vibe of a Gracie Barra. If Gracie Barra is like a prestigious university for grappling, Elite MMA feels more like a high energy laboratory for professional fighting. Bas Rutten is a literal legend, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a Hall of Famer, and his personality is baked into every inch of that gym. You aren’t going to see everyone in a formal white or blue Gi bowing to the mats. Instead, you see people in board shorts and rash guards hitting Thai pads and working on their sprawl.
The big draw at a place like Elite MMA is the variety. While you are going to get incredible jiu jitsu at Gracie Barra, the school near Thousand Oaks Boulevard is where people go when they want to learn the striking game. They have a massive focus on Muay Thai and kickboxing. You will hear the sound of heavy shins hitting leather pads from the parking lot. It is a loud, sweaty, and intense environment. They teach you how to throw a liver shot that will fold a person in half and how to use your knees in a clinch, which is something Bas was famous for during his career.
One of the coolest things about having these two schools so close together is that they actually cater to different mindsets. If you are a parent who wants your kid to learn discipline, respect, and a non violent way to handle a bully, the Future Champions program at Gracie Barra is a gold standard. But if you have a teenager who is obsessed with the UFC and wants to learn how to punch, kick, and wrestle all in one go, they are probably going to gravitate toward the MMA focused curriculum at Elite.
You also have to look at the atmosphere. At Gracie Barra, there is a very specific hierarchy and a sense of “brotherhood” that comes with the uniform and the belt system. It feels very stable and predictable. At a place like Elite, it feels a bit more like a pro camp. You might see a guy who fought on a televised card last weekend hitting the bag right next to a soccer mom who is just trying to get the best workout of her life. It is a bit more raw, but Bas has a way of making the room feel welcoming. He is known for being one of the funniest and most approachable guys in the sport, so that “tough guy” ego usually gets checked at the door there too.
Another school that pops up in the conversation for people in the Newbury Park area is Morumbi Academy. They have a spot in Thousand Oaks as well, and they lean heavily into the Brazilian culture. They do a lot of jiu jitsu, but they also incorporate things like Capoeira and kettlebell fitness. It is a bit more of a “lifestyle” gym compared to the pure competition focus you find with Gabriel Arges or the combat focus of Bas Rutten.
Ultimately, we are spoiled for choice in this area. You have the technical perfection of a three time world champion at Gracie Barra, the legendary striking and MMA knowledge of a UFC champ at Elite, and the well rounded community vibe at Morumbi. Most people I know end up doing a trial at all three before they commit. You have to see which “flavor” of sweat you prefer. Some people love the grit of the MMA gloves, and others find they really value the chess match of the Gi.
Are you looking to stick strictly to the ground game and the belt progression, or are you starting to feel like you want to add some striking and kickboxing into your weekly routine?
Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks represents a unique intersection in the martial arts world: it is a local, family-oriented academy that operates with the facility standards and championship pedigree of a professional athletic training center.
Located inside the renowned Sports Academy (formerly Mamba Sports Academy) in Newbury Park, it offers a distinct “University of Jiu-Jitsu” experience led by one of the most successful active competitors in the sport’s history.
- World-Class Leadership
The primary draw for students—from hobbyists to professional fighters—is the caliber of instruction.
 Professor Gabriel Arges: The academy is owned and led by Gabriel Arges, a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion. In the BJJ world, this is the equivalent of learning basketball from a current NBA All-Star. His leadership ensures that students learn modern, battle-tested techniques rather than outdated methods.
 The Romulo Barral Lineage: Arges is a black belt under the legendary Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra Northridge). This connection integrates the academy into a powerhouse regional network, granting students access to elite seminars and high-level training partners from across Southern California.
- A Professional Athlete Facility
Unlike many BJJ schools located in small industrial warehouses, Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks benefits from being housed within a major athletic complex.
 The “Pro” Environment: Located at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, the academy is part of a 96,000 sq. ft. facility. It features professional-grade lighting, expansive mat space, and an atmosphere of high-performance athletics.
 Hospital-Grade Hygiene: Leveraging the standards of the Sports Academy, the mats are kept to a clinical level of cleanliness (“Red Shield” standard), drastically reducing the risk of skin infections common in lesser-regulated gyms.
 Amenities: Students have access to premium changing rooms, showers, and a pro shop, catering to the “Executive” crowd who need to head straight to work after morning training.
- Adult Programs: Structure Meets Intensity
The curriculum is designed to accommodate two distinct groups: the working professional who cannot afford to get injured, and the young athlete chasing gold medals.
 GB1 Fundamentals: This is the safe on-ramp for beginners. There is no live sparring in these classes. The focus is on self-defense mechanics, safe falling techniques (breakfalls), and core positional drills. This structure makes BJJ accessible to doctors, executives, and parents in the Conejo Valley.
 GB2 & GB3 (Advanced): Once students earn 3 stripes on their white belt, they unlock advanced classes. Here, the focus shifts to the “Arges Style”—dynamic guard play, modern leg locks (like the “Kneebarge”), and the strategic “Physical Chess” required for competition.
 Competition Team: Under Arges’s guidance, the competition team is one of the most successful in the region. Intense “comp classes” attract practitioners from Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Camarillo looking to test their limits.
- The “Future Champions” Youth Program
The youth program is a cornerstone of the academy, divided by age to ensure developmental appropriateness.
 Anti-Bullying Philosophy: The curriculum teaches children to neutralize bullies without violence. They learn to control an aggressor using leverage and pins (“negotiation from the top”) rather than striking, protecting them from both physical harm and school suspension.
 Age-Specific Classes:
 Little Champions (Ages 3–6): Focuses on motor coordination, listening skills, and “animal movements” to build body awareness.
 Juniors (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical grappling, partner drills, and the concept of leverage.
 Teens (Ages 10–15): A critical program for adolescents that combines self-defense with the athleticism of sport BJJ, helping teens navigate social pressure and build a healthy, disciplined peer group.
- Culture and Atmosphere
Despite the elite pedigree of its instructors, the culture is famously “no-ego.”
 The “Red Shield” Etiquette: The academy strictly follows traditional martial arts etiquette—bowing onto the mats, addressing instructors as “Professor” or “Coach,” and respecting training partners.
 Mentorship: Higher belts (“Big Brothers/Sisters”) are expected to guide and protect lower belts. It is common to see a World Champion competitor helping a Day-One white belt tie their belt.
 Family-Centric: The schedule often aligns adult and kids’ classes, allowing parents to train simultaneously with their children.
Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks offers a premium martial arts experience where “World Class” is a reality, not just a slogan. Whether you are a parent seeking confidence for your child or an adult wanting to learn from a living legend, the academy provides a safe, clean, and highly professional environment to start your journey.
Would you like me to find the current class schedule for a specific age group, or would you like directions to the Sports Academy facility? https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/
Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts Academy Thousand Oaks CA
1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States
Phone Number: +1 805-721-6776
Office Hours
Mon. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Tue. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Wed. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Thu. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Fri. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Sat. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm
Sun. Closed
Route
Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Thousand Oaks & Martial Arts CA
Secondary phone: +1 805-721-6776
