THE SAN DIEGO COMBAT SPORTS GYM

Welcome to The Arena, San Diego’s leader in Combat Sports training. We are the largest Martial Arts school in North America, offering Beginners to Pros the best classes and training in 12 different Combat Sports, Martial Arts and Strength & Conditioning programs. 

Our San Diego 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 training is known worldwide.

Our weekly San Diego 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 Greco-Roman / Freestyle Wrestling. We also offer some of the best Accelerated Training and Fight Camp programs 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. Our Jiu Jitsu program alone leads the country with 50 adult classes, and our other programs such as Boxing are close behind.

Training at The Arena is different than at other San Diego schools. Due to our background and history, we’ve had strong ties with members of the Armed Forces since we first started 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 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 training available, we’re the clear choice in San Diego.

Our 12 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.

Our San Diego Coaches include the legendary Master Baret Yoshida, a 3x IBJJF Jiu Jitsu World Champion and 3x ADCC medalist / 10x ADCC vet. We also have future UFC Hall of Fame fighter Chris Leben and 4x Team USA Olympic Boxing Coach / US Armed Forces Head Coach Basheer Abdullah. Together, our Coaches provide world class instruction for any level of athlete. 

Founded in 1949 as the Southern California School of Judo and Jujitsu, we’re the second oldest Martial Arts school in the United States (after the Seattle Dojo). In 2006, we moved to our current San Diego location and updated our name to match our mission to build the best Combat Sports gym in the world.