Business Details
Your Trusted Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Lakewood
At DM Jiu-Jitsu Academy, we are dedicated to providing world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in a welcoming, community-focused environment. Founded by Professor Dimitrios Mavraganis, a 5th-degree black belt with over two decades of competitive and instructional experience, our academy serves practitioners of all ages and skill levels. Our team of certified instructors brings extensive expertise from martial arts, military, and law enforcement backgrounds, ensuring students receive technically precise and practically applicable training. We offer structured programs for adults, children, and women, emphasizing self-defense, physical fitness, and mental discipline.Our curriculum combines foundational techniques with advanced strategies, supported by small class sizes and personalized attention. With a proven track record of producing champions and empowering individuals through BJJ, we prioritize safety, inclusivity, and character development. Our facility in Lakewood, CA, serves local communities including Downey, Long Beach, and Cerritos, offering flexible scheduling and a free trial class to new students.
Services
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training
Kids Martial Arts Programs
Women's Self Defense
Competition Preparation
Adult BJJ Classes
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized instruction from certified black belts with competitive and law enforcement backgrounds
- Our curriculum combines foundational techniques with advanced strategies for practical self-defense
- Small class sizes ensure individualized attention and safe learning environment
- Proven track record of producing championship-level competitors
- Community-focused programs for all ages and fitness levels
What people say
Expert instructors
Supportive community
Effective self-defense
Family-friendly environment
Competitive success
Services
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training
Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs develop practical self-defense skills, physical fitness, and mental discipline through structured curriculum. Students learn fundamental techniques like guard passes, sweeps, and submissions while building strength, flexibility, and strategic thinking. With both gi and no-gi options available, our classes cater to all skill levels from beginners to advanced competitors in a safe, supervised environment.
Kids Martial Arts Programs
We offer age-specific programs for children aged 5-16 focusing on character development, self-confidence, and physical coordination. The Little Spartans (5-10) program emphasizes basic techniques and verbal conflict resolution, while the Spartan Kids (10-16) program includes competitive training and advanced self-defense scenarios. Both programs incorporate fun activities that reinforce discipline, teamwork, and respect through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fundamentals.
Women's Self Defense Program
This specialized program teaches women practical self-defense techniques against 15 common attack scenarios using leverage-based BJJ principles. Students learn to neutralize threats from hair grabs to weapon confrontations through 10 core lessons and 5 advanced modules. The women-only classes focus on real-world applications, situational awareness, and confidence-building in a supportive learning environment without requiring prior martial arts experience.
Competition Preparation
Our competition program develops elite-level skills through intensive drilling, live sparring, and strategic analysis for tournament participants. Students receive personalized coaching on advanced techniques, match psychology, and physical conditioning. With multiple championship titles to our credit, we prepare competitors of all belt levels for IBJJF, NAGA, and Grapplers Quest events while maintaining focus on technical precision and sportsmanship.
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
This dynamic program focuses on modern grappling techniques without traditional gi grips, emphasizing speed, transitions, and leg lock systems. Students develop faster reflexes and adaptability through live sparring sessions that simulate real-world scenarios. The curriculum bridges BJJ fundamentals with MMA applications, preparing practitioners for both competitive and self-defense situations in a fast-paced training environment.
People
Professor Dimitrios Mavraganis
Lead Instructor
5th-degree BJJ black belt under Rigan Machado with over 25 years of experience. Multiple Pan American and World Championship winner. Former instructor for law enforcement agencies including FBI and US Marshals. Featured in Tapout and Grappling magazines.
Professor Mark Frasher
Kids Class Lead Instructor
BJJ black belt since 2014 with extensive competition experience including IBJJF Long Beach champion. Former US Army 82nd Airborne member. Specializes in youth martial arts development and has placed in multiple national tournaments across various weight classes.
Professor Nea Vanda Ouk
Adult BJJ Instructor
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with a submission-based teaching style. Holds MBA in Aviation from Embry-Riddle. Combines technical expertise with life lessons learned through overcoming personal health challenges and refugee family background.
Professor Vu Nguyen
Adult & Kids Instructor
Former high school wrestling champion who earned BJJ black belt in 2024. Specializes in fundamentals and youth development. Brings wrestling discipline to BJJ instruction while focusing on creating well-rounded martial artists and individuals.
Questions
What Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs do you offer?
We offer adult BJJ classes for all levels, kids programs for ages 5-16, women's self-defense, competition training, and no-gi grappling. Each program focuses on technical skill development and practical application.
Can beginners join your academy?
Yes! Our Fundamental BJJ program and mixed-level classes welcome complete beginners with expert guidance. We provide free trial classes to help new students experience our training environment.
Do you offer self-defense training for women?
Yes, we have a specialized women-only self-defense program covering 15 common attack scenarios using leverage-based BJJ techniques. No prior martial arts experience is required to join these classes.
Are your instructors qualified?
Our team includes multiple BJJ black belts with decades of combined experience, championship titles, and law enforcement/military backgrounds. All instructors maintain active competition and teaching certifications.
What age groups do your kids programs serve?
We have two programs: Little Spartans for ages 5-10 focusing on basic techniques and discipline, and Spartan Kids for ages 10-16 emphasizing advanced self-defense and competitive training.
Do you provide competition preparation?
Yes, our competition program develops elite-level skills through intensive drilling, live sparring, and strategic analysis. We've produced multiple champions in IBJJF, NAGA, and Grapplers Quest events.
