Jiu Jitsu Tbilisi (2025)

– Founded by a Russian-Georgian brown belt and a Canadian purple belt. This academy is the most foreigner-friendly, with classes in English and a focus on "lifestyle BJJ" (injury prevention, long-term training).

Tbilisi is not yet a global Jiu Jitsu capital, but it is unquestionably the capital of Jiu Jitsu in the Caucasus. With continued international exposure and grassroots development, it is poised to become a respected stop on the European grappling map by 2030. End of Report Prepared for: General audience / Sports analysts / Jiu Jitsu travelers Data current as of: April 2026 jiu jitsu tbilisi

| Feature | Availability in Tbilisi | Comments | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Universal (all major gyms) | 40mm thickness minimum; clean. | | Air Conditioning | Partial (only 3 of 7 gyms) | Summer training (July-August) is extremely humid. | | Showers/Lockers | Yes (most gyms) | Hot water can be inconsistent in winter. | | On-site Weights | Rare (only Matrix & Cobra) | Most rely on external gyms. | | Pro Shop | None | Gear bought online or via coaches’ personal stock. | | Parking | Difficult (Vake district) | Street parking only; metro recommended. | – Founded by a Russian-Georgian brown belt and

| Academy Name | Affiliation | Specialization | Notable Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | CheckMat (USA) | Gi BJJ, No-Gi, Judo | Largest mat space (200m²); regular black belt seminars from Brazil. | | Cobra Georgia | Nova União | MMA-oriented BJJ, Leg Locks | Produced 3 national MMA champions; heavy wrestling integration. | | Legacy Jiu Jitsu | Independent (ex-Alliance) | Sport BJJ, Tactical Jiu Jitsu | Popular with expats; English/Russian/Georgian instruction. | | Samurai Tbilisi | Japanese JJJ Federation | Traditional Jiu Jitsu (kansetsu, atemi) | Focus on self-defense, weapons, and historical kata. | | Matrix Grappling Club | 10th Planet (unofficial) | No-Gi, Rubber Guard, Twister | Late-night open mats; very high pace, modern techniques. | Detailed Profiles: BJJ Tbilisi Dojo (CheckMat) – The flagship gym. Head coach Zurab K. (black belt under Leonardo Vieira) runs a disciplined curriculum. They host the annual Tbilisi Open , attracting 200+ competitors from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. | | Showers/Lockers | Yes (most gyms) |

– Located near the Sports Palace. Known for aggressive top pressure. Their competition team trains 6 days a week, with morning wrestling drills and evening BJJ sparring.