WELCOME TO THE MRJJA!

Mario Roberto Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Our mission is simple: to help our students reach their goals, both inside and outside of the gym. We are not just a martial arts school; we are a community. Come join us in our pursuit of excellence.

THE MRJJA DIFFERENCE

We are the largest and longest-operating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai school in SE MN. At the MRJJA, you will have the opportunity to share the mats with a large and diverse student base that is very welcoming and supportive of beginner students.

When it comes to martial arts, instructor qualifications matter! Our head instructor is a former physician and the highest ranking BJJ practitioner in Minnesota. Our supporting staff consists of highly qualified, hand-picked coaches whose sole goal is to help you reach your full potential.

We follow a structured, organized curriculum that will maximize your progress. We also provide more weekly classes and a more flexible schedule than any other local gym. Customize your training regimen around work/school, and get the most value out of your membership!

Proven results: our gym has produced multiple BJJ/grappling World Champions, and two of our students went on to compete in the UFC.

A focus on YOU and YOUR FAMILY. Our gym environment not only helps develop martial arts skills and physical attributes, but strengthens personal values and fosters the creation of life-long friendships.

Whether you are looking for a fitness solution, to learn self-defense or to get effective, real-life martial arts skills, look no further. When it comes to you and your family, do not settle for anything but the best!

Do not take our word for it – stop by our gym and talk to our students about their training experiences! How certain are we of our customer satisfaction? We do not require contracts at the MRJJA. We believe you will keep coming back because you WANT to, not because you HAVE to.

What are you waiting for? Come join us NOW!

No-Hassle, No-Commitment Free Trial Period

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Our Team and Staff

INSTRUCTORS

We are proud to have assembled the best martial arts and fitness instructors in SE Minnesota! Not only our staff brings technical expertise to the table, but real life experience and accomplishments – you can trust your development to people that have been there and done it themselves. Whether you are interested in grappling, striking or fitness, our coaches are happy to volunteer their time to help you progress and reach your training goals, on and off the mats!

Mario Roberto

Head Instructor

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mario moved to Rochester in 2004, where he owns and operates the MRJJA. A former professional MMA fighter, he is also the highest ranking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in the state of Minnesota. Mario is passionate about teaching both adults and youth students, and he is a constant presence on our mats. He has coached and cornered students in the UFC, Pride FC, WEC, and many other events.

Skills

6th degree BJJ Black Belt (FJJ-RJ 1998)
Muay Thai Instructor (Kru)
Judo Brown Belt
Pro MMA Fighter - Former Hook n' Shoot World Champion
MD degree

Jason Mullholand

BJJ Instructor

Jason (aka 'Dingo') is one of the most laid back and down-to-earth instructors at the MRJJA. His humbleness disguises an exceptional natural athleticism. Dingo won numerous MVP awards in Rugby, playing as an openside flanker. He even managed to once win Olmsted County's left-handed Arm Wrestling Championships - while being right handed! Pursuing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seemed like a natural choice, and he has been teaching it for years. Dingo leads a successful career at Mayo as a business analyst.

Skills

MRJJA 2nd Degree BJJ Black Belt (2014)
Rugby MVP
MBA Degree

Victor Mahaffey

BJJ Instructor

Victor started his grappling career in wrestling, competing for seven years and wrestling collegiately at a DIII school. He stumbled across BJJ by accident, and immediately felt a strong connection to the art. In addition to being a practitioner, Victor has a passion for teaching and has extensively coached both BJJ and wrestling. He came to Rochester by way of the Mayo Clinic, where he leads a successful career in management.

Skills

MRJJA 1st degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt (2019)
Former DIII Wrestler
MBA Degree

Dan Goodson

BJJ Instructor

A Rochester native, Goodson wrestled at Mayo Highschool under coach Dwight Gengrich. He was then recruited by Upper Iowa University, wrestling DII under head coach Heath Grimm. Dan has an extensive background in martial arts, having competed at a high level in Taekwondo. He enjoys training, teaching, and helping others reach their full potential. Goodson works as a behavioral counselor and is currently attending school seeking his license in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Skills

MRJJA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt (2021)
Former DII Wrestler
NCAA DII All-American Wrestler for Upper Iowa University (2007)
1st Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo
Taekwondo Junior Olympic team member (2002)

Rodolfo Savica

BJJ Instructor

Rodolfo is a BJJ Black belt and one of the most well-liked adult instructors at the MRJJA. Originally from Sicily, he started his martial arts career training in Muay Thai. When first visiting the gym, Rodolfo was convinced by Mario to give Jiu-Jitsu a try, and has stuck with it ever since. He is a practicing physician and researcher, being an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic.

Skills

MRJJA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt (2022)
MD

Zach Curry

BJJ Instructor

Coach Curry has been involved with combat sports and fitness his whole life, having wrestled for the Chatfield Gophers and the RCTC Yellow Jackets. He holds an Associate’s degree in Personal Training and Group Fitness, as well as being a certified Personal Trainer under the National Council of Strength & Fitness. As MRJJA’s Strength & Conditioning coach, Zach prepares our amateur and professional athletes for competition and helps our students reach their fitness goals. His hobbies include hunting, hiking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Skills

MRJJA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt (2022)
NCSF Certified Personal Trainer
Personal Training & Group Fitness
Functional Athlete Development

Tom Lovett

BJJ Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Skills

MRJJA 2nd Degree BJJ Black Belt (2014)

Cody Colson

Muay Thai Instructor

Cody started his grappling career at age 14, wrestling as a heavyweight in high school. After being introduced to Mixed Martial Arts, he started training in Muay Thai as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He competed extensively in BJJ, and fought as an amateur in Mixed Martial Arts. Cody works as a freight brokerage manager, and he is also a Captain in the Army National Guard.

Skills

MRJJA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt
Amateur MMA Fighter

Rick Fulton

BJJ Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Skills

MRJJA BJJ Brown Belt

Cole Sprau

Muay Thai Instructor

Bio coming soon!

Skills

MRJJA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt

Brenden Hamernik

Muay Thai Instructor

Bio coming!

Corey Hemingway

Muay Thai Instructor

Corey grew up in Adams, Minnesota and started wrestling for Southland at the age of seven. He began training Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a senior in high school. After graduation he fought as an amateur mixed martial artist. Currently manages a few businesses in Rochester and Austin Minnesota.

Skills

MRJJA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt
Amateur MMA Fighter

Contact Our Team

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Our Training Classes

PROGRAMS

At the MRJJA we offer FREE, no-hassle, no-commitment introductory classes. We want you to be able to come visit our gym and check out our classes, so that you can make an informed decision and see if we fit your needs. Don’t take our word for it – come see for yourself, and make sure you ask our current students about their experiences at the MRJJA!