About the Israeli Academy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) & MMA

Our story

The Israeli Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA was founded in 2010 by Itay Leibovich, in Tel Aviv and Netanya, with the aim of bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to a wide audience.

The system broke into the world in the early 1990s and made its way to Israel in the early 2000s, but the close link between jiu-jitsu and MMA brought with it a not entirely accurate perception of a brutal fighting system suited only to people who want to get into fights.

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Our philosophy

The truth, of course, is more complex and a good deal friendlier. Alongside being a hugely effective fighting system, proven countless times in competition, this is the most intelligent and most technical martial art there is. And while it is the most complex, it is also the simplest and the most enjoyable.

Those romantic ideas you saw in the films — the small beating the big, training that changes lives, stirring montages set to a motivational soundtrack — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and this academy turn them into reality.

Our community

At the academy you will find an experienced, attentive coaching team whose purpose is to move you forward, and training partners who come from every walk of life. You will find tech workers, doctors, psychologists, lawyers, people from the military and security world, artists, actors, singers, musicians, accountants, and simply excellent people who have not yet worked out what they want to do when they grow up.

Here the students are what matters, and their progress is the highest value. Training takes place in a family atmosphere with a light touch, with an emphasis on learning in a safe and controlled environment. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, a sport and a self-defence tool, but above all it is a lifestyle.

Classes are taught in Hebrew, but our instructors speak fluent English and a large part of our members are English speakers. On Saturday nights we run a class taught in English by Philip Paul.

 

Professional partnerships

We work in partnership with major companies such as Microsoft and AppsFlyer, with security organisations, with units of the Israel Police, and with special forces units in Israel and abroad.

 

Advancing women in jiu-jitsu

One more thing, and no less important: Itay and the academy have set themselves a central goal — advancing women in the sport, with the aim of reaching 50% female participation in classes.

We work with the Michal Sela Forum and other women's organisations to give capability to everyone who needs it.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the best self-defence system there is. Particularly for women.

The Israeli Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA operates 8 branches across Israel, with its home branch at Yitzhak Sadeh 29 in Tel Aviv.

Did you know: the average martial arts student trains for just one year. Let us be there for you in that year, and we will do everything we can to make sure you walk away with the best possible tools for the rest of your life. And who knows — you might stay rather longer than a year, and fly.

 

Facts about the academy

• Founded: 2010, by Professor Itay Leibovich
• 8 branches across the country: Tel Aviv, Netanya, Haifa, Hadera, Kiryat Tiv'on, Tirat Carmel and Modi'in
• Home branch: Yitzhak Sadeh 29, Tel Aviv
• Disciplines: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), No-Gi, MMA, striking, self-defence
• A dedicated women's group in Tel Aviv — the largest in Israel
• Classes from age 14 and up, no previous experience required