Welcome to
MAKOTO/ mah-koh-toh /Jiu Jitsu AcademyBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Turlock, California
Sincerity. Truth. Authenticity.
In Japanese, Makoto means to act with pure intention, no pretense, no ego. It is the spirit we bring to every roll on the mat.
Makoto Jiu Jitsu: Train with Sincerity and Purpose
A strong BJJ community in Turlock and the Central Valley
Where Training Meets Purpose
At Makoto Jiu Jitsu Academy, we go beyond the traditional martial arts school to create a space where discipline, consistency, and growth come together.
Rooted in the meaning of Makoto—sincerity and truth—we train with intention, support one another, and focus on real progress on the mats. This is a welcoming and focused environment where everyone is here to improve and be part of a strong community.
Meet Your Coach
Thiago Ricci — Black Belt Head Coach
Thiago Ricci is a black belt under Professor Samir Chantre. He started training in Portland, OR at Gracie Barra where he earned his blue and purple belts under Professor Fabiano Scherner.
He began teaching at blue belt, first as an assistant coach and then started leading classes. He was part of Gracie Barra for almost 5 years before moving to California in 2019.
He then joined team Ares BJJ in Modesto, California where he received his brown and black belts from Samir. He now runs his own Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program in Turlock, CA.
Programs & Classes
Kids and Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes
Every program at our Turlock academy is built for athletes of all ages and starting points. Whether you have never grappled before or you are sharpening a competition game, you will find a class that fits — and a room that wants you to get better. Develop strength, discipline, and confidence, on and off the mats.
Kids Program (Ages 6–14)
Building confidence, discipline, and coordination through fun, structured Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training — including practical anti-bullying skills. Tuesday through Thursday at 5pm.
Adults Program (Ages 15+)
Technique, conditioning, and mental toughness for teens and adults. Gi, No-Gi, wrestling, and Open Mat sessions run Monday through Friday evenings.
Adult Gi (Beginners)
Our beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class in Turlock is built for adults with zero grappling experience. You will learn the fundamentals — posture, base, escapes, guard retention, and your first submissions — in a structured curriculum that never assumes prior training. Most students walk in nervous on day one and are drilling comfortably within a couple of weeks.
Explore Adult Gi — Beginners classes in TurlockWho
Adults 15+
Duration
60 min
Focus
Fundamentals & Basics
Attire
Gi required (loaner Gi provided)
Adult Gi (All Levels)
A mixed-level Gi class where white belts train alongside coloured belts and everyone leaves better. Each session pairs a technical focus with positional rounds and live rolling, and the instruction is layered so a first-year student and a purple belt take something different away from the same lesson.
Who
Adults 15+
Duration
60 min
Focus
Technique & Sparring
Attire
Gi required
Adult No-Gi
Grappling without the kimono, in rashguard and shorts. No-Gi rewards speed, body-lock control, and relentless transitions, and it is the closest thing on our schedule to wrestling and MMA grappling. Beginner sessions run Tuesday and Thursday, with all-levels sessions on Monday and Wednesday.
Explore Adult No-Gi classes in TurlockWho
Adults 15+
Duration
60 min
Focus
Speed, Control & Wrestling
Attire
Rashguard & shorts
Kids Gi (6 to 14)
Our kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program in Turlock runs Tuesday through Thursday at 5pm for ages 6 to 14. Classes build coordination, confidence, and self-control through games, drills, and age-appropriate technique — including practical anti-bullying skills that work without throwing a punch. Discipline and respect are taught on the mat and expected off it.
Explore Kids BJJ (6–14) classes in TurlockWho
Kids ages 6–14
Duration
50 min
Focus
Confidence & Discipline
Attire
Gi required (loaner Gi provided)
Open Mat (Gi & No-Gi)
Friday nights are yours. Drill the thing that keeps failing, roll as hard or as light as you want, and ask questions nobody has time for during a regular class. Open mat is where technique turns into a game you can actually play, and it is open to every level — Gi or No-Gi, your call.
Who
All members
Duration
90 min
Focus
Free Training
Attire
Gi or No-Gi
Weekly Schedule
BJJ Class Schedule in Turlock
Adult Gi and No-Gi classes run Monday through Thursday evenings, kids classes Tuesday through Thursday at 5pm, and open mat every Friday night. Drop into any class marked all levels.
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(6 - 14)
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(6 - 14)
(All Levels)
(Beginners)
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(Drills)
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(All Levels)
(Beginners)
(Live Rolls)
Monday
Tuesday
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ClosedLife on the mats
Inside the Academy
From our students
What Training Here Feels Like
Verbatim five-star reviews from students on our Google Business Profile. Read them all on Google.
Great place Great environment very welcoming and friendly people
Jon Rhodes
Google · July 2026
Always love coming to train here with lots of talented people! 7:10 PM night class makes it real flexible to get some training in even when getting off of work late!
Angel Roman Hernandez
Google · January 2025
Informed, helpful, and kind BJJ instructor. Spacious and a clean training space. Plenty of skilled partners to help you progress along your journey. Friendly environment.
Edvin Eshagh
Google · January 2025
Thiago is world class all the way!! Doesn’t get any better if you are in the area.
Eduardo Ruiz Jr
Google · December 2022
Great place Great environment very welcoming and friendly people
Jon Rhodes
Google · July 2026
Always love coming to train here with lots of talented people! 7:10 PM night class makes it real flexible to get some training in even when getting off of work late!
Angel Roman Hernandez
Google · January 2025
Informed, helpful, and kind BJJ instructor. Spacious and a clean training space. Plenty of skilled partners to help you progress along your journey. Friendly environment.
Edvin Eshagh
Google · January 2025
Thiago is world class all the way!! Doesn’t get any better if you are in the area.
Eduardo Ruiz Jr
Google · December 2022
FAQ
Starting Jiu-Jitsu in Turlock: Common Questions
We are at 2363 W Main St, Turlock, CA 95380, on the west side of Turlock with free parking at the door. We regularly train students from Turlock, Ceres, Modesto, Hughson, Denair, Hilmar, Delhi, and Livingston.
Yes. Your first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class at Makoto is free, with no obligation and no contract to sign beforehand. Book it through the contact form and we will confirm a class time that fits your schedule.
Comfortable athletic clothing with no zippers or pockets — a t-shirt and shorts or leggings is perfect. We will lend you a Gi for your first sessions, so there is nothing to buy before you start.
No. There are no prerequisites and no fitness test. Our classes are built to accommodate every fitness level, and most students arrive with no martial arts background at all. You get in shape by training, not before it.
Our kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program covers ages 6 to 14 and runs Tuesday through Thursday at 5pm. Adult classes are for ages 15 and up and run Monday through Friday in the evenings.
Gi training uses the traditional kimono, which allows collar, sleeve, and lapel grips and tends to reward patience and precision. No-Gi is trained in a rashguard and shorts, relies on body-lock and underhook control, and moves at a faster pace. We teach both, and most students train both.
Yes. A one-hour class combines cardiovascular conditioning, full-body strength, and mobility work, and because you are focused on solving problems rather than counting reps, most people train harder than they would in a gym without noticing.
Two classes a week is enough to make steady progress and let your body adapt. Three or more accelerates things noticeably once you have a couple of months behind you.
Classes are led by head coach Thiago Ricci, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Samir Chantre. He began training at Gracie Barra in Portland, Oregon under Professor Fabiano Scherner and has been coaching since blue belt.
It is one of the most practical martial arts for self-defense because it is trained live against a resisting partner. The focus on controlling and neutralising an opponent — rather than trading strikes — is what makes it effective for smaller people against larger ones.
Join Now. Train for Life.
Ready to start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Turlock? Your first class is free, we lend you the Gi, and no experience is required. Train with a supportive community, an experienced black belt coach, and a program designed to help you grow — on and off the mats.
Start Your Free TrialFind us
Visit the Academy in Turlock, CA
We are on W Main St in Turlock, an easy drive from Ceres, Modesto, Hughson, Denair, Hilmar, Delhi, and Livingston.
Makoto Jiu Jitsu Academy
2363 W Main StTurlock, CA 95380
Class Times
Evening classes Monday through Friday. See the full schedule.
Call the Academy
(209) 252-3280Questions First?
contact@makotojiujitsu.com