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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Brighton: Where to Train
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Brighton is one of the busiest scenes on the south coast, with a Roger Gracie black belt in Rottingdean and several welcoming city academies.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Brighton is one of the strongest scenes on the English south coast. East Sussex as a whole has dozens of academies, and Brighton itself has enough weekly class volume that a committed beginner can train most days without travelling far.
Academies in Brighton
- **Grand Union BJJ** — based in Rottingdean, led by Cesar Lima, a 4th-degree black belt under Roger Gracie who opened the academy in 2014. It runs gi and no-gi classes for all levels plus a kids programme. Address: 10 High Street, Rottingdean, BN2 7HS. Contact: 01273 933132, grandunionbjj@gmail.com.
- **One Jiu-Jitsu** (also known as BJJ Brighton) — a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA academy in central Brighton and Hove, with classes for children and adults from complete novice through to advanced.
- **Brighton BJJ Martial Arts Academy** — a welcoming, inclusive academy at Vantage Point in central Brighton, built around helping beginners and hobbyists progress rather than a hard competition focus.
- Brighton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy — established in 2007 and part of the Lagarto BJJ team led by Lucio "Lagarto" Rodrigues; runs gi and no-gi classes.
Choosing a Brighton Gym
Brighton is compact and walkable, so the decision usually comes down to timetable fit and mat culture rather than travel time — although Rottingdean sits a bus ride outside the centre. Confirm the head coach's black belt lineage, check there are enough weekly beginner classes for you to train two or three times a week, and make sure the gym teaches gi or no-gi as you prefer.
Every academy above offers a free or low-cost trial class. Our guide on choosing a BJJ gym close to you covers weighing proximity against reputation, and the gi size chart helps you get your first gi right.
What Training Costs in Brighton
Brighton memberships are mid-range for the UK — higher than northern regional cities, below central London. Most academies bill monthly, with a separate one-off cost for a gi. Confirm what open mat and no-gi access are included before comparing clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs Grand Union BJJ in Brighton?
Cesar Lima, a 4th-degree black belt under Roger Gracie, who moved to Brighton and opened the academy in 2014. It is based at 10 High Street, Rottingdean, BN2 7HS (01273 933132).
Where can I train BJJ in central Brighton?
One Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ Brighton) in Brighton and Hove and Brighton BJJ at Vantage Point are both central. Grand Union BJJ is a short bus ride out in Rottingdean.
Is Brighton good for beginners starting BJJ?
Yes. Several Brighton academies specifically position themselves around beginners and hobbyists, run structured fundamentals classes, and offer trial sessions.
How much does BJJ cost in Brighton?
Mid-range for the UK — above northern regional cities and below central London. Expect a monthly membership plus a separate one-off gi cost.
Can I train no-gi BJJ in Brighton?
Yes. Grand Union BJJ, One Jiu-Jitsu, and Brighton BJJ all run no-gi alongside gi classes. Confirm the current weekly no-gi schedule with the specific academy.
Sources & Further Reading
About the Author
Mohsin AyubBJJ practitioner, 6 years — Gracie Barra
Founder & Editor, BJJ Sportswear
Mohsin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years at Gracie Barra and has competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments. He writes about competition, gear, and athlete careers, and founded BJJ Sportswear to help grapplers find equipment and information they can trust.
- Six years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
- Competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments
- Writes on BJJ competition, gear testing, and athlete careers
This article was last reviewed and updated on 2026-08-28.