Grappler’s Studio

Anyone with any remote interest in the sport will know that BJJ studios are a dime a dozen in the OC. Working and living in Irvine, I make the decision each day to drive past a large sum of those gyms to be where I feel I will grow the most, not only in my BJJ, but also as an individual. Since I’ve started coming here, both the adults and kids programs have grown exponentially, no undoubtedly to the credit of the high caliber of training offered.
If you have a child interested in self defense and/​or martial arts, try your luck here. Anthony blends in with all the kids and makes them feel right at home no matter what the personality type. On top of physical fitness, patience and respect are a nice side effect you’ll begin to see grow after a few weeks here. ;)
As for the adults, it does not matter what your age or gender may be, everyone is welcomed here. Literally people from all walks of life can come to the mat and be stripped of whatever outside labels you might have, and have the equal opportunity to train on common ground.
If you are intimidated and afraid mentally to give it a shot, all you have to do is take that first step, and let the rest follow. What do you have to lose? And, as the old adage goes, «I’d rather have a life of oh wells than a life of what ifs» ;)

Grappler’s Studio is absolutely the best jiu jitsu/​wrestling/​pankration gym in the area. I have been training and competing in jiu jitsu & wrestling for nearly 2 ½ years, and I’ve placed in local & international level tournaments. Laercio Fernandes is one of the most technical and caring coaches I have ever met, and I’m grateful to be able to train with him! He emphasizes repetition in order to truly master techniques. Laercio also sets a tone of respect and camaraderie within the gym. If you come in trying to smash your way through the class, you will quickly learn to change your style or find another gym. Also, If you’re interesting in incorporating wrestling/​takedowns into your jiu jitsu game, Anthony teaches a simple, yet effective takedown system to complement your jiu jitsu at any level.
In addition to wrestling, Anthony has been coaching youth jiu jitsu and pankration for many years. He has a special type of «magic» when it comes to teaching and communicating with kids. Whether your child wants to just have fun learning or desires to be a champion, Anthony will provide them with an experience and top-​level skills needed to get them where they want to be. Anthony makes it very clear that this is more than just a gym, it is a family. During wrestling season, many of the families get to the tournaments early to set up tail gates with their grills and tons of food so that all of the kids can eat breakfast together and relax before heading in for competition.
A note about belt rankings — expect to EARN your belt promotions here! Unlike some other martial arts gyms, you cannot pay your way to the next belt. There have been many occasions where students will come from another gym and see that they are ‘out-​skilled’ by students of lower belts at our gym. If they choose to stay, sometimes they will (themselves) remove the stripes from their belt or demote themselves to a lower belt (as long as they haven’t placed in any IBJJF championships). This is not required by the coaches, but certain individuals choose to do this themselves.

This gym is hands down the best place to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It’s a very family oriented environment where everyone is treated with respect. The instructor Laercio Fernandes is a world champion who makes the training fun and tough. The team is made up of all levels and everyone helps the others learn. We have a kids team that has some of most talented, hard working, respectful children I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Grapplers Studio is the premier place to train for the entire family.

If you have been looking for the perfect Jiu Jitsu school, then look no further! I have trained at many different schools in and around Orange County, always trying to find the perfect fit. Some schools are the overly-​aggressive/​MMA-​centric places that can’t work for average people, some have amazing teachers and humble students but their schedule isn’t accommodating, etc. etc… Grappler’s Studio has the best of all these worlds. They offer awesome training, classes morning, noon, and night, (and on weekends) and the people who train there are super cool and very skilled. Everyone is respectful towards one another and are always willing to help newer people to bring them to the next level. This is really a family-​like group. The head BJJ coach, Laericio Fernandes is a world champion black belt who currently trains under Rubens «Cobrinha» Charles. The school is very technical and contemporary in terms of the style being taught. One thing I love is that Grappler’s Studio is part of the Alliance BJJ team for OC, which means, this academy is part of one of the most dominant BJJ associations on the planet. This also means they follow a well-​structured curriculum and don’t just bounce around from position to position. Grappler’s studio also offers wrestling for kids and adults, kids Brazilian jiu jitsu, and Pancration, among other things. These are taught by both Laericio and our other head coach Anthony Frank who is a State champion wrestler and amazing BJJ practitioner/​competitor. I truly believe that for the level of training, the amount of classes, the affiliation with Alliance, the awesome family environment that these guys provide, and of course, the price, Grappler’s studio is truly the best value and best place to learn Jiu Jitsu and wrestling in Orange County (and beyond) :)

Grapplers Studio is bar none the most unique and best of breed martial arts academy in Orange County. I brought my three boys here because of their renowned kids programs consisting of BJJ, wrestling and Pankration. Laericio Fernandes (a multiple world champion), Anthony Frank (world-​class wrestler) and Jon Frank (overall bad ass) are some of the best coaches I’ve had the honor of my kids training under.
Their daily programs are regimented, follow a curriculum and push our boys past their comfort zone which has helped them excel in every other facet of their lives including academics and social assertiveness.
Their Competitive BJJ, wrestling and Pankration teams are constantly sweeping tournaments and taking medals. If you are serious about putting your kids in a top notch school this is the place.
Laericio, Anthony and Jon are humble, kind and very knowledgable people inside and outside the mat and I am blessed to call them friends too.
Oh, I forgot to mention their adult BJJ program is in a world of its own. Student come from all over just to train here because the studio embodies so much prestige and knowledge.
We will be here for a long time and be part of our boys journeys in getting their black belts one day and turning into humble, confident and altruistic adults.
Come check them out!

If you or your kids are looking for a gym to train Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling or practical self defense? Check this gym out. With out a doubt the best gym in South Orange County.

I’ve been here for about 6 months. Head jiu jitsu instructor and world champion laercio fernandes has all of the characteristics of a great coach. A perfect balance of positivity, technique and holding all of his students accountable keeps me coming back everyday. The team is great too it really has a family atmosphere and I feel like I’ve known some of these guys for much longer than I have. Grapplers studio also offers pankration and Muay Thai with former pro mma fighters Anthony frank and mike guymon.

I am so happy we decided to come here. Our son loves it here! He is learning so much with Coach Anthony!

Ive been training at the Grappler’s Studio for 4 months. I came to them as a purple belt. I needed a school closer to home and work so I could spend more time with my family. Living in the Southern California Area there is a lot of Jiu-​jitsu schools to choose from. Why Grapplers Studio? I needed a school with lots of classes to match my hectic schedule, but I also wanted to train with people who are competitive and as serious about the hobby I love. Grapplers studio filled my needs and then some. I attend their Mon., Wed., and occasionally Fri. night Advanced class. The Head instructor is World Champion Laercio Fernandes. He’s is friendly, professional and an encyclopedia of Jiu-​Jitsu. He is as nice as he is friendly, but don’t be fooled, he pushes his students to achieve excellence and to give their best on and off the mat. I also had the privilege of attending Purple belt instructor Anthony Franks fundamental class with his kids. Watch out for his students in the future they love to compete and actually listen to their coach. Anthony is a good teacher and has a way with kids. As soon as my son is old enough I know he will be in good hands. See you on the mats.

Professor Laercio (Head BJJ instructor) is a world class athlete and instructor, and training with him at Grappler’s Studio has improved my Jiu Jitsu game exponentially. The gym maintains a friendly family-​like atmosphere with it’s members, and in no-​way promotes a sense of egocentricity. The beauty of this gym comes in the form of the people who train here. It’s members come from a variety of different professions and backgrounds, from CPAs, to lawyers, to construction workers, and full-​time family men and women. If you’re looking to start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or looking to step up you current game then I’d highly recommend training here.

One of the best place to learn jiu jitsu and wrestling for kids and adults. Professor Laercio Fernandes is a World Champion in Jiu Jitsu. He cares about your success on the mat and off the mat which makes you keep improving yourself daily. Wrestling coach, Anthony Frank, has help so many kids win wrestling tournaments. He a a prove track record and makes things easy for kids to understand. Highly recommend for everybody.

I’ve been training here for a couple months after being at a couple of other gyms. Believe me when I’m telling you the instruction here is world class, and there’s really no other place I’ve seen where you’ll get the detailed personalized instruction you’ll get here from world champions. Very friendly atmosphere of just cool people helping each other improve, no meat heads here.
The wrestling instructor Anthony Frank is an absolute beast on the mat which you would never guess based on his friendly soft spoken demeanor. The BJJ teacher Laercio Fernandes is a world champion jiu jitsu fighter who also looks out for each of his students and is very technical in his teaching. They both always have a ready smile for you and that attitude translates throughout the gym.
You don’t need to feel intimidated at all, I’ve bought some complete newbie friends in and they’re instantly welcomed. Highly recommended.

Just moved to a new location. Our son has been training with Viper for a week now and it has been great. We spend about an hour-​two hours a day training and our son loves it. It has made a big difference in his confidence and attitude. It’s only been a week but I see the change.
They have great classes for kids, reasonable monthly tuition, family discounts and it’s fun. They are not pushy and will not push you into buying all the bells and whistles. Just bring your kid or yourself and see what it’s about!
It is a smaller center. Possibly family owned? I’m not really sure but it’s easy going and all of the kids are great and parents are friendly.