Tradition
Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, straight from the source — the purest form of the art, taught the way Hélio and Royce Gracie meant it to be.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu · Carrollwood, Tampa
Master the purest form of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu taught the way it was meant to be — patient, precise, and built for real self-defense. Any age. Any size. No experience required.
- 1993Training since
- 2007Academy founded
- Black BeltGracie lineage
- 7 → AdultAll ages welcome
The Academy
Built on tradition.
Balanced in life.
Empowered on the mats.
Tampa Jiu-Jitsu teaches the purest form of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our Gracie BJJ Basics program is the most effective, proven path to real self-defense.
What sets us apart is the way we teach — certified instructors coaching in an organized, patient, supportive way, so the details actually stick, from your first stripe to black belt.
Balance
Proudly part of Team Balance — training that strengthens the body and steadies the mind, for any age, any size, any starting point.
Empowerment
Practical self-defense that actually works, coached patiently and precisely — so the details stick and your confidence carries off the mats.
Why Tampa Jiu-Jitsu
A martial art that
actually works
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was designed so a smaller person can control and defeat a larger, stronger opponent using leverage and technique — not brute strength.
Real Self-Defense
Stand-up defense, takedowns, and ground control that hold up when it counts — taught safely, step by step.
Authentic Lineage
Techniques passed directly from Grandmaster Hélio Gracie and Relson Gracie — the source, not a copy.
Coaching That Serves
Certified instructors trained to be organized, patient, and supportive — you'll never feel lost on the mat.
Everyone Fits In
In shape or out of shape, 7 or 57 — Gracie Basics get you fit while you learn, at your own pace.
Programs
Find your
program
From your very first class to advanced competition, there's a place for you on our mats. Every program is built on the same authentic Gracie foundation.
Adult Gracie BJJ
Gi and no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for every level, from complete beginner to competitor.
Explore Adult BJJKids & Bully Defense
Confidence, focus, and anti-bullying self-defense for kids ages 7–12.
Explore Kids ClassesWomen's Self-Defense
Real, effective techniques to escape and control common threats — no experience needed.
Explore Women's ClassPrivate Lessons
Accelerate your progress with focused, one-on-one coaching from a Gracie black belt.
Explore Private LessonsThe Instructor
A black belt from
the source
Ryan Deichert has studied Gracie Jiu-Jitsu since 1993, beginning at the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu association in America. He moved to Los Angeles to train under UFC legend Royce Gracie, helped Royce prepare for the UFC, and spent six years in the Gracie teacher-training program under Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, Rorion Gracie, and Royce Gracie. He opened Tampa Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 and earned his black belt in 2008 under Relson Gracie black belt Phil Migliarese.
Direct Gracie Lineage
Six years in the Gracie teacher-training program under Hélio, Rorion, and Royce Gracie — the source of the art.
Proven on the Mat
Won the first East Coast Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tournament in 1993 and helped Royce Gracie prepare for the UFC.
A Real Teacher
Brought the Team Balance International fight team to Florida and has coached students here since 2007.
Our Team
We represent
Team Balance
Team Balance is an international fight team founded by first-generation Gracie black belts Phil and Ricardo Migliarese, headquartered in Philadelphia. Tampa Jiu-Jitsu proudly carries the Team Balance banner in Florida — more than a patch, it's a standard that connects our students to a worldwide community of Jiu-Jitsu.
About Team Balance01
Technique
Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
02
Character
Respect & discipline.
03
Teaching
Passing the art on.
Giving Back
Helping veterans
heal through Jiu-Jitsu.
A clinical study conducted with USF Health at the University of South Florida found that veterans who trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu showed a meaningful, statistically significant reduction in symptoms of psychological trauma — inspiring our nonprofit, Balanced Life Warriors.
"Tampa Jiu Jitsu has been a great experience for my family. My sons started training with Ryan, then I decided to give it a try and it's been a blast — one of the better workouts I've ever done. The best thing is the atmosphere; everyone is willing to spend a few minutes to explain a new technique, and you feel welcomed from the moment you step on the mat. Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective self-defense — it doesn't matter if the other person is bigger or stronger. I can't say enough positive things about Ryan and his staff."
David CardenasTampa Jiu-Jitsu member
The Results
Thousands trained.
One standard.
20+Years teaching
1000sStudents coached
Est.
2007In Carrollwood
2007In Carrollwood
All
Ages7 to adult
Ages7 to adult
Find Us
Train in
Carrollwood
We're on N. Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood, minutes from Northdale, Lutz, and Westchase — easy to reach from anywhere in North Tampa.
Address
11732 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618
Phone
813-951-4865Your first class is free
Step onto the mat
Bring comfortable clothes and an open mind — we'll take care of the rest. Book your free trial class at Tampa Jiu-Jitsu today.