Our story

Cypress Combat Club was founded in 2012 by Professor Ricardo Almeida with a simple premise: build a gym where the training is world-class but the culture is accessible. No egos at the door. No hazing rituals on the mat. Just serious coaching for anyone willing to put in the work.

What started as a 2,000 square-foot garage gym with a handful of students has grown into a 10,000 square-foot facility with over 300 active members. We've produced IBJJF champions, professional MMA fighters, and — just as importantly — hundreds of everyday people whose lives are better because they found martial arts.

We believe the best gyms are built on culture, not marketing. That the best coaching comes from people who still train. That kids deserve the same quality of instruction as adults. And that the real measure of a gym isn't how many champions it produces, but how many people walk through the door nervous and leave feeling like they belong.

Cypress Combat Club is in Los Angeles because this is home. The community here shaped us, and we're proud to give back through martial arts education that's accessible, honest, and built to last.