Helio Gracie once said every child should learn how to swim, ride, and fight. And while this entire notion may seem antiquated in our modern society, the progenitor of Brazilian jiu-jitsu was completely right. Combat training should be deemed absolutely essential for every single able-bodied person — though not solely for the reason many assume. Whether you’re looking to train for the purposes of self-defence, for the purposes of a healthier lifestyle, or to simply develop a resilient mindset, here’s everything you need to know about the best mixed martial arts (MMA) gyms in Melbourne.
Defining mixed martial arts (MMA)
As you could have probably deduced from the name alone, mixed martial arts (MMA) involves the combination of different combat disciplines such as wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo, sambo, and plenty more.
In a competitive arena, the object is to dispatch your opponent in the most efficient way possible. While specialists have been known to thrive under the spotlight, it pays to have a well-rounded arsenal. This means you’ll need to be adept in a diverse range of both striking and grappling techniques or face the possibility of being publicly exposed.
Although its roots can be traced back to the Vale Tudo contests in Brazil — and conceivably the Ancient Olympics of Greece via pankration — as a combat sport, MMA was initially popularised by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which was founded in the United States circa 1993.
Mixed martial arts has grown rapidly ever since over the course of the last few decades and is now one of the most widely-watched and highest-earning sports in the world, with countless professional fighters vying for glory and countless more fans internationally.
What are the best martial arts for MMA?
The advent and mainstream adoption of mixed martial arts (MMA) in the 90s accelerated the development of quality martial arts as a whole. Now that disciplines were being tested against one another in regular competitions, we learned what actually worked and what was bullshido real quick. Hence why you’ll never see any Aikido or Kung Fu (apart from maybe Sanda/Sanshou Chinese kickboxing) being used in the Octagon.
While a system’s efficacy also depends on the practitioners themselves, if we examine mixed martial arts being executed at its highest form — i.e. within the UFC — the numbers paint a pretty clear picture.
Here are the core disciplines of UFC champions past and present according to Way of Martial Arts (amended to account for recent developments):
- Wrestling — 39 UFC Champions
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) — 39 UFC Champions**
- Boxing — 25 UFC Champions
- Kickboxing — 15 UFC Champions
- Muay Thai — 14 UFC Champions
- Karate — 7 UFC Champions
- Taekwondo — 4 UFC Champions
- Judo — 4 UFC Champions
- Sambo — 3 UFC Champions
**Note: anyone who retains a black belt included even if they do not utilise it as heavily as someone like Charles Oliveira or Alexandre Pantoja, i.e. Alexander Volkanovski, Alex Pereira.
What should you look for in an MMA gym?
Personal goals will invariably dictate what the “best” MMA gym in Melbourne is for you. But generally speaking, there are a few things you should always look out for…
Instructors
Are they actually qualified to teach you and what are their credentials?
Hygiene
Is the gym you’re choosing well-maintained? On a related note, don’t buy into the Hollywood cliche of grinding away in some dingey warehouse without proper building safety standards. Getting tetanus from a rusty and broken cage or rolling your ankle because of poorly installed mats won’t magically make you a champ.
Atmosphere
Yes, learning to get comfortable in uncomfortable conditions is part of the process, although where you train should also be a place where you genuinely want to spend time.
Are your potential teammates welcoming and kind? Do they understand you’re a beginner and ease you into the arts or are they rag-dolling and lighting you up during what should be light drills/sparring sessions for a quick ego boost?
As with other facets of life, avoid the dickheads wherever possible.
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The Best MMA Gyms (Melbourne)
Absolute MMA
“At Absolute MMA, we offer an extensive range of classes designed to cater to various interests and objectives. From dynamic fitness and weights programs that will transform your physique to the study of the world’s best fighting and self-defence systems, we have something for everyone.”
Absolute MMA boasts what is quite possibly the most impressive stable of instructors in all of Melbourne, which features seasoned head coach Simon Carson, internationally celebrated and highly decorated BJJ black belt Lachlan Giles, as well as the leg-breaking 12-3 UFC prospect Jack Jenkins.
That being said, the lesser-known names are no less impressive: grappling expert (and black belts under Giles) Kemal Akagunduz and Oliver Smith, for example, are not only accomplished in their own right, but have proven to be favourites amongst students. The same can be said with wrestling coach Connor Evans, who currently heads the Australian National Team. (Note: you’ll find the latter two at the Collingwood branch.)
Address: Various
Phone: Various
Free Trial: Yes
Weekly Membership Cost: $60
John Donehue Jiu-Jitsu & MMA
“Welcome to John Donehue Jiu-Jitsu & MMA, Melbourne’s premier destination for Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and martial arts training. Our Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym, led by world-renowned Head Coach John Donehue, offers a wide range of classes, including MMA, Muay Thai, wrestling, and boxing. With a focus on both technique and fitness, our classes cater to people of all ages, experience levels, and fitness goals.”
A world-class education is what awaits you here, particularly in the ground fighting department. With professional kudos from the likes of UFC Hall of Famers Randy Couture and Frank Trigg, as well as legendary grappler Gene Lebell, John Donehue is your man.
Address: Unit 6/278 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill VIC 3168
Phone: (03) 9544 5820
Free Trial: Yes
Weekly Membership Cost: Upon Request
ELEV8 Mixed Martial Arts
“At ELEV8 MMA, our approach is what makes us the best value in Heidelberg West, and we have proudly continued that philosophy since 2009. We have a professional team of experienced coaches delivering specialised training across multiple disciplines including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, functional fitness, wrestling, and yoga. It doesn’t matter if you’re a pure beginner or looking to take your game to the next level. At ELEV8 MMA, we will help you get where you want to go.”
Perhaps the most holistic and modern MMA gyms in Melbourne, staffed by tested discipline experts as well as dedicated nutritional and functional fitness authorities.
Address: 25 Kolora Rd, Heidelberg West VIC 3081
Phone: (03) 9455 1530
Free Trial: Yes
Weekly Membership Cost: $50
Extreme Mixed Martial Arts
“Extreme Jiu-Jitsu & Grappling was founded in 1998. In 2010, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Paul McVeigh took over from his coach and evolved the school into the club that we now proudly call Extreme Mixed Martial Arts. Under Paul’s direction, Extreme MMA has developed into one of Melbourne’s leading MMA and fitness clubs, with an established and well-respected presence in the south-eastern suburb of Chadstone/Malvern East.”
Address: 660 Warrigal Rd, Malvern East VIC 3145
Phone: (03) 9568 4999
Free Trial: Yes
Weekly Membership Cost: $60
Omega Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts
Another excellent Melbourne MMA gym run by a homegrown UFC alum. You may recall George Sotiropoulos as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 6: Team Serra vs Team Hughes, who’d eventually earn a contract and coach the Aussie side of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes (which famously introduced us to future middleweight champion Robert Whittaker).
Address: Level 1/164 Hoddle St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Phone: 0432 366 496
Free Trial: No ($19.95 for two intro classes)
Weekly Membership Cost: Upon Request
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Dominance
“Dominance MMA is one of Australia’s most established MMA teams. Since opening our first gym in 2002 we have expanded to three locations — Abbotsford, Thomastown, Bentleigh — and provide world-class facilities, highly experienced coaches, and an invaluable community to members from all over Melbourne. We offer Gi and No-Gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, freestyle wrestling, and MMA classes for teens and adults (as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu for kids).”
The talent Dominance produces, like HEX flyweight champion and Dana White Contender Series prospect Sean Gauci, practically speaks for itself.
Address: Various
Phone: (03) 8394 9660
Free Trial: Yes
Weekly Membership Cost: $60 per week
Hammer’s Gym
“Hammer’s Gym is the largest facility of its kind in Australia, with 10 training zones spread over 2,000sqm there’s something for everyone! Whatever your goal may be, we can help you get there. Our team of world class trainers will guide you through every step and help you to level up in ways you didn’t know were possible. We have decades of experience coaching athletes in a wide range of disciplines all the way from combat sports to body building.”
Helmed by the famed Mark “The Hammer” Castagnini, who’s been training professional Muay Thai fighters, kickboxers, as well as sweet science purists since the mid-90s — he’s also been routinely tapped for world title camps — this is well and truly the place to be.
Address: 244 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading VIC 3131
Phone: (03) 9878 9266
Free Trial: Yes
Membership Cost: From $16.95 per week
Now check out our picks for Sydney’s best MMA gyms, best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms, best boxing gyms, and best regular gyms.
Also read:
- The 7 Best Boxing Gyms In Melbourne To Train Like A Pro
- We Had Lunch With The UFC’s (Former) Pound-For-Pound King Alexander Volkanovski
- Jake Gyllenhaal’s Workout & Diet Plan To Get ‘Road House’ Ripped
- The Workout That’ll Get You ‘Gladiator II’ Ripped Like Paul Mescal
- Henry Cavill’s Workout Routine Will Unleash Your Inner Superman
- US President Theodore Roosevelt Was The First MMA Fighter
