Sandro Sampaio Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

My two boys have been attending Sandro Sampaio Carlson Gracie Oklahoma for some time now, and the impact has been incredible. Not only have they learned valuable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, but more importantly, they’ve gained confidence, discipline, and respect—values that will stick with them for life. Coach Sandro creates an environment that is both challenging and supportive, and it’s clear he genuinely cares about the growth of each student on and off the mat. We’re so grateful to be part of this community!

I was in Oklahoma for 3 months due to work and luckily found this gym. The first day I walked in I was welcomed like I was family and over the months trained with coaches Sandro, Austin and Brett. They all have exceptional talent and knowledge and have helped my jiujitsu tremendously while giving me a solid friend group while I was there. Whether you want to train for self defense, a hobby, to compete, or just curiosity they are more than capable of teaching you. The hardest part is walking through the door for the first time as a beginner and if you’re reading this debating on whether or not you should try it out or are unsure what gym to choose I can not recommend these guys enough.

This isn’t just a gym, it’s a family. The coaches push you to be your best while keeping things fun and safe. I’ve learned so much and met some amazing people. Couldn’t ask for a better place to train.

This is an outstanding place to train. I visited a few gyms in the OKC area while in town for work, and Professor Sampaio stood out as the most competent and welcoming, with the highest level of pedagogy and training standards. The evening classes I attended followed a well-structured format: a ten-minute warm-up, ten minutes of drilling, twenty minutes on the move of the day, twenty minutes of rolling, and a ten-minute plyometric workout. What impressed me most was the logical progression of the move of the day. Attending consistently allows you to build a solid game within just a few weeks. I noticed this both during drilling and while rolling afterward. Even when sparring with lower belts, I had to work toward positions I was strong in rather than relying solely on class material—an outcome that highlights Professor Sampaio’s overarching theory of “Gameness.” The culture of the gym is excellent. Despite being a visitor, members quickly learned my name, respected an injury I had at the time, and even went out of their way to recommend restaurants and local spots. One member generously invited me to his home for dinner. The monthly fee is $200. While this may be higher than other gyms, it includes access to all classes. Unlike other schools that restrict “advanced” sessions behind a paywall, here your growth and competency are encouraged, not penalized. This gym offers everything you could want: excellent pedagogy, a welcoming culture, and a true commitment to growth both within and beyond jiu-jitsu. It will remain my go-to spot whenever I’m in town.

My son started here at the end of March. He absolutely loves coming here and Sandro is the best! He’s so great with the kiddos and it’s been a great thing for my son!