Former Arena Staff Zach Visits
Zach is back! Always good to see Zach Tenorio in the gym. Whether working the front desk, fighting MMA, or competing in Jiu Jitsu, Zach
The Arena - The MARTIAL ARTS / Combat Sports Gym in San Diego
Welcome to The Arena, San Diego’s leading Martial Arts school and Combat Sports gym. We are the single largest Martial Arts school in the United States, offering Beginners to Pros the best combat sports classes and training in 10 different Combat Sports, Martial Arts and Strength & Conditioning programs.
Our Combat Sports and Martial Arts classes include Boxing, Filipino Martial Arts, Grappling, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, MMA, Muay Thai, S & C and Wrestling. This is the biggest program of its kind in the U.S. and our martial arts school and other training services are known worldwide.
San Diego's Best Martial Arts Classes For Adults
Our weekly San Diego Martial Arts classes include Boxing, Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Muay Thai, Strength & Conditioning, Submission Wrestling (No Gi Jiu Jitsu) and Wrestling. We also offer the best Personal Training and Fight Camps in San Diego.
Besides being the largest Combat Sports gym in North America, each one of our programs are individually among the biggest in the USA. If you are looking for a San Diego martial arts school near you, we’re the clear choice.
World Class Martial Arts Training Near You
Training at The Arena is different than at other Martial Arts schools in San Diego, CA. Due to our background and history, we’ve had strong ties with members of the Armed Forces since we first opened our school in 1949. This focus had led to a constant emphasis on effective training for the field, the street and in competition. Consequently, we do not (and will never) offer “Cardio” classes. We pride ourselves on being the top choice for martial arts and combat sport training in California.
We simply don’t believe in poor training with even worse technique just to get in shape. Instead, our philosophy is to train for real while still increasing fitness. “Real” doesn’t mean getting hurt or being too aggressive, and we don’t tolerate any bad attitudes here. But it does mean doing things the right way. So if you want the best, most realistic martial arts training available, we’re the clear choice in San Diego.
Top Coaches in Combat Sports
Our Coaches comprise one of the most experienced and accomplished teams of Combat Sports and Martial Arts trainers in the world. With an average of over 25 years of experience per coach, we have a tremendous amount of knowledge and mastery to share with our students who are interested in learning combat sports or martial arts in San Diego, CA. Together, our Coaches provide world class instruction for any level of athlete.
About The Arena Fight Gym
Founded in 1949 as the Southern California School of Judo and Jujitsu, we’re the longest running Martial Arts school in North America. In 2006, we moved to our current San Diego, CA location and updated our name to match our mission to build the best Combat Sports gym in the world.
Martial Arts Schools and Classes "Near Me"
If you’re looking for adult martial schools and classes “near me”, you found us. Members come from all over San Diego to train at The Arena. Our adult martial schools and classes are easily accessible in Point Loma off the 8 freeway on Sports Arena Blvd. Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Bay Park, Downtown San Diego, Golden Hill, Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, La Mesa, El Cajon, Clairemont, College Area, Miramar, Kearny Mesa, Clairemont Mesa, City Heights, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Coronado, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach are all within easy driving distance.
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The Arena Programs
Boxing
We offer world class Boxing training, with the biggest stable of Boxers in San Diego. Run by Olympic and Pro Coaches, our Boxing program is for students wanting to learn, as well as professional Boxers looking for top of the food chain training.
Fight Camps
We run some of the best Boxing and MMA Fight Camps in not just San Diego, but the world. Our Coaches are also available for Summer and Dream Camps for incredible Combat Sports vacations.
Filipino Martial Arts
Our Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) classes provides outstanding instruction in Kali and Escrima. One of the world’s most lethal Martial Arts, our FMA training provides the perfect way to learn realistic self-defense.
Grappling
We provide high level training in Submission Grappling, also known as No Gi Jitsu or Submission Wrestling. Our Coaches have competed at the highest levels in Grappling and offer outstanding instruction to all levels.
Jiu Jitsu
Under the direct supervision of the legendary Xande Ribeiro, we are the San Diego Six Blades Jiu Jitsu affiliate. We offer the largest number of Adult Jiu Jitsu classes in Diego, ranging from BJJ fundamentals to advanced technical training.
Judo
Run by one of the top Judo Coaches (7th Dan) in the U.S., our Judo School offers the best instruction for both new students and experienced Judoka who want to train in one of the premier Martial Arts for stand up grappling.
Kickboxing
We teach Dutch Style Kickboxing; the main striking system used in MMA and K-1. We are not a Cardio Kickboxing gym. Instead, we teach real Kickboxing classes here, focusing on training for maximum skill development.
MMA
We are one of the best MMA gyms in the U.S. and have trained numerous world champions, including legendary fighters like Cris Cyborg. Our classes and training are designed to build MMA fighters from the ground up.
Muay Thai
We teach Muay Thai, known as “The Art of 8 Limbs” in one of the best and largest training facilities in North America. Our Muay Thai Coaches provide Beginners a solid foundation that leads to rapid skill development, while offering advanced training and sparring to Pros.
Personal Training
Our Accelerated Training Program offers the ultimate in Private Lessons. It’s been designed by some of the best Combat Sports Coaches in the game to rapidly increase learning and new skill acquisition.
Strength & Conditioning
We designed our S & C program for the specific needs of Combat Sports athletes and those who want to train like them. Our exhilarating classes make our students and fighters agile, fast, flexible and conditioned.
Wrestling
With a variety of Wrestling styles offered in a 2 college mat training room, our Wrestling classes are perfect for students new to Wrestling, High School and College wrestlers, and MMA fighters.
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The Arena Schedule
We offer the largest Combat Sports & Martial Arts program in North America.
The Arena Coaches
Adam Bradley
Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu
Adam Henkel
Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu
Anthony Orozco
Wrestling
Wrestling
Basheer Abdullah
Boxing
Boxing
Brandon Matlock
Wrestling
Wrestling
Calon Sabino
Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu
Charles Martinez
Combatives
Combatives
Cole Wysocki
Wrestling
Wrestling
Henry Tchaghlassian
Filipino Martial Arts
Filipino Martial Arts
James Ewton
Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Joe Vargas
Boxing
Boxing
Vince Salvador
Kickboxing / MMA
Kickboxing / MMA
Willie Laureano
Filipino Martial Arts
Filipino Martial Arts
Xande Ribeiro
Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu
Zbigniew Piec
Judo
Judo
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The Arena Facility
27,000 square feet. San Diego’s biggest Combat Sports Gym & Martial Arts School.
The Arena's Reviews & Success Stories
BOXING
Ulises Sierra"This is our home. I love it here. Everyone trains hard and is dedicated to perfecting their craft and I like to be surrounded by that."
JIU JITSU
Sergio Hernandez"I've been training with Baret since the very beginning. So when he came to The Arena, I was here right away. It's been great."
KICKBOXING
James Ewton"I've been training here for 7 years. I really like the way they put classes together. I feel their method of teaching is the best way to do it."
MMA
Baby Joe Taimanglo"There are so many great coaches at The Arena. It all comes together where everybody can come in and get great training."
MUAY THAI
Adrian Morilla"All the instructors are always here, they're always on time, they're squared away, they know what they're doing. I love training here."
WRESTLING
Alex Trinidad"What brought me here is that it's not a cardio gym. It's learn to fight. The instructors are the best. They're Pros in everything they do."
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The Arena FAQ's
Is The Arena just for fighters? Can I come in as a beginner to your San Diego Gym?
We are San Diego’s top Martial Arts School as well as a fight gym. So you don’t have to fight competitively to train here or have any experience. In fact, we SPECIALIZE in training beginners from the ground up, whether they plan on fighting or just want to learn to defend themselves. But, you do have to train hard and want to learn while you’re here. We are here to teach you skills, not just get you in shape. Also, this isn’t a dating gym, so for anyone looking for that we’re the wrong place. We’re serious and we expect our members to be as well.
Is it true I can take ALL the classes your fighting gym offers for just one flat fee per month?
Yes, you are welcome to take all the classes we offer for one flat monthly rate. We don’t restrict access to any of our classes, no matter what membership plan you’re on at our martial arts school and fighting gym.
What are your gym's fees?
We have a variety of membership programs at our San Diego martial arts school and fighting gym. They all include full instruction from our world class Coaches, and incredible training with outstanding partners and teammates. All of our gym’s memberships include access to every one of the classes we offer, as well as use of all of our Martial Arts and Combat Sports facilities. This includes our specialized 10,000 square foot Strength & Conditioning facility (part of our overall 27,000 sf facility), featuring top training equipment along with beautiful showers and locker areas.
This allows you to give up your other gym memberships as we have everything you need all in one place, saving you money and time. We strongly believe we offer the best deal anywhere in the U.S. for the amount of classes, quality of training, and incredible facility we provide for martial arts and combat sports training. Just one of our programs on its own in another high-quality gym would easily be $150 monthly and up. Check out the prices for a good Jiu Jitsu or Crossfit gym and see for yourself.
We do not go over memberships via phone or email. Instead, please visit the gym in person to make sure we’re a good fit and vice-versa. Also, we do not offer any further discounts. We’re already priced as low as we can possibly be for what we offer.
The reason we’re priced so low in the first place is because the majority of our members are in the military and we try our best to make it affordable for them. The civilians here get to benefit from that, because we don’t believe in treating people differently by charging some more than others. Instead, everyone here at our San Diego gym becomes part of our brotherhood, where you will make friends for life. And again, for the amount and quality of classes we offer, all taught in one of the largest and nicest facilities found anywhere in the world, our prices are an incredible deal.
I want to make a career out of fighting. Can you help me?
Yes we can. That’s our business. If you haven’t fought before, we will start you in the Amateurs. If you are successful in the Amateurs, we will turn you Pro. And if you are a Pro already, we have everything you need to reach a world class level. If you want to compete in combat sports then stop by and check out The Arena, the best martial arts school in California.
I want to visit from out of town. Does your gym offer drop-ins?
Yes, we allow out of town drop-ins. If you are visiting San Diego, CA and looking for a place to train and learn martial arts or combat sports feel free to stop by. Please contact us in advance of your arrival.
Do you have a Children’s Program?
No, we don’t. Our focus is teaching fighting skills and childen are not a good fit within our environment. However, if you have an physically and emotionally mature child age 14 or over, we may make an exception if they are fully committed to learning what we offer and can participate in an Adult class. If you think they would be a good fit, please visit the gym in person with your child so we can make an evaluation.
Is The Arena just for men? Do you provide combat sport and martial arts training for women?
We do train women at our San Diego gym, including numerous Amateur and Professional Champions such as Bellator MMA World Champion Liz Carmouche and WBA Boxing World Champion Raquel Miller. However, since we don’t offer “Cardio Martial Arts” classes, we are not for everyone. At The Arena, our students are all treated equally. This means, among other things, you will be expected to fully participate in class and you will receive contact in these classes. So if you’re good with that, and you want to train for REAL, come on by.
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In The Arena
The Arena Combat Sports Gym
This is who we are, and this is what we do. We offer every class you need to get started on your Martial Arts journey.
Arena Windbreakers Back In Stock!
The Arena is excited to announce that our Arena black camo windbreakers are back in stock! Our stocks are limited so be sure to grab
