Where to find stellar MMA training in Toronto
With the success of Rhonda Rousey and the reinstatement of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones, the UFC has never been more intriguing. Fans excited enough to check out mixed martial arts for themselves will be pleased to know that there's a spate of gyms in Toronto to accommodate them. We've assembled some of the best gyms for mixed martial arts training in the city.
Toronto BJJ
813 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1L8Props where they’re due: this west-side spot is the most decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in Toronto – with the most black belts and 3,000 square feet of mat space. Toronto BJJ's familial atmosphere is perfect for the nervous beginner, but is also equipped with everything the elite fighter is looking for. With the backing of the legendary Saulo Ribeiro and his Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association, head instructor Jorge Britto has created a place with more BJJ team championships than any other gym in Toronto. Wheelchair Accessible: No.
Elite Training Centre
1557 Sedlescomb Dr, Mississauga, ON L4X 1M4When Toronto BJJ students want to push their skills to the next level, they come here. Elite's BJJ program is overseen by Toronto BJJ's Jorge Britto and also uses Ribiero Jiu Jitsu. But beyond that, Elite is run by Claude Patrick, the area's only UFC competitor. He has a strong instructor team with expertise in MMA, boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, strength and conditioning. If you just want to work out, you can do that. The people are friendly, the environment is safe and you don't compete if you don't want to. There's no alpha-male machismo here. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
OpenMat MMA
301-593 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z4If you live downtown, there's no more convenient a place to train than OpenMat's location only steps from Wellesley Station. Head instructor, founder and BJJ black belt Elliott Bayev prides himself on creating a positive and enthusiastic energy for every class. With 2500 square feet of mat space, there's plenty of room to roll or strike. It has fully padded walls, heavy bags, boxing equipment and a full weightlifting facility. The wall inside the gym says, “We're here to make the world a better place” – a motto that perfectly encapsulates the vibe. Wheelchair Accessible: No.
Xtreme Couture
700 Kipling Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 5G3If UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture puts his name on it, it's quality. Xtreme Couture is the only location that bears his name in Canada and sees UFC fighters pass through to conduct seminars. Chuck Liddell, Sean Sherk and Couture himself have all graced the gym. Some pro fighters like Mark Hominick and Chris Horodecki trained there. But, it doesn't just rely on names. At over 33,000 square feet, it's the biggest gym in the city. It has a full boxing ring, an octagon cage and expert personal trainers. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
Action & Reaction Mixed Martial Arts Inc
485 McNicoll Ave, North York, ON M2H 2C9Their mantra is for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction and we're betting your reaction will be a happy one. Head instructor, owner and BJJ black belt Fernando “Gringo” Zulick has 18 years of BJJ instruction, training and coaching experience that goes right back to Brazil and a Helio Gracie lineage. He competes right alongside his students – and without the attitude and ego. Not only is it a clean facility, but they also interview each student to get a sense of their training goals. You can also learn judo, boxing and submission wrestling. Wheelchair Accessible: No.
Evolucao Thai MMA
1381 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6H 4C7Brothers Mauricio “Veio” and Andre “Dida” Amado were training and coaching at the famous Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil alongside UFC Champions Anderson Silva and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Andre is still Shogun's striking coach to this day. Evolucao Thai is their own fighting system that they say more effectively adapts traditional Muay Thai to the demands of competitive MMA. Primarily, it’s a MMA and Muay Thai school with the legendary Fernando Vieira teaching various levels of BJJ skills. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
InnerCity MMA
403 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G6You can’t beat Inner City's Chinatown location next to the AGO, although it’s perhaps better known for being the most female-friendly MMA gym in the city (female BJJ practitioners ask the guys to roll). Head professor Shah Franco is a martial arts pioneer in Canada and with over thirty years experience, he’s the highest ranked BJJ coach in the country. He's also an 8th Dan in Shotokan karate and Muay Thai (that means he’s a very skilled fighter – and teacher). Despite the excitement and charged atmosphere, there are some seriously nurturing vibes at this gym. Wheelchair Accessible: No.
Headrush Training Centre
6-4884 Dufferin St, North York, ON M3H 5S8Formerly Grant Brothers MMA Gym, Headrush boasts the most fully-equipped boxing and MMA gym anywhere in the city, including a double-end bag, which is a rarity at boxing gyms in Toronto. They do boxing, wrestling, MMA, BJJ and Muay Thai. Canadian UFC welterweight competitor Sam Pierson teaches wrestling and BJJ here. They aim to inspire others to see that they can be professional fighters. Ryan Grant is the boxing coach for both Pierson and Antonio Carvalho, so anyone can see that the pro level is achievable. Wheelchair Accessible: No.
Siam No 1 Muay Thai Club
21 Wade Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 1P4This is the most authentically traditional Muay Thai school in Toronto, with a highly experienced instructor direct from Thailand who has trained many of the krus (instructors) in Canada. It began when Ajahn Suchart taught the few who heard of Mauy Thai in the basement of the Young Thailand restaurant at Gerrard and Jarvis Streets. Now, after 22 years, he has trained over 50,000 students. You can't beat this combination of technical instruction and traditional cultural experience, and will be hard-pressed to find it at any other gym in the city.
Revolution MMA & Fitness Inc
150 Lesmill Rd, North York, ON M3B 2T5In addition to being headed by Joel Gerson, one of Canada's only MMA judges and certified by famed UFC referee “Big” John McCarthy (not to mention Carlos “The Ronin” Newton, Canada's first UFC Champion), Revolution boasts a huge number of martial arts and fitness systems under one roof. Offering standard BJJ, wrestling, judo, boxing and Muay Thai, they also offer classes in krav maga, Russian systema and Crossfit. There's diet and nutritional counselling, as well as a licensed chiropractor and acupuncturist on site. Plus, the size of the facility rivals that of Xtreme Couture. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
