Riverside, CA · Est. 2011Riverside, California · Est. 2011
Apex MMA
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Muay Thai
· Wrestling · MMA Striking
Professional instruction. No ego on the mats.
Structured curriculum for all levels.
First class free · No credit card
Programs
Four Disciplines
Every program has a Fundamentals track for complete beginners. Train one, or combine them with Full Access.
Gi & No-Gi
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Ground grappling built on leverage and position. The IBJJF belt curriculum, taught in a fixed order so every class builds on the last.
- Fundamentals, All Levels & Open Mat
- Belt promotions twice a year
- 9 sessions per week
Head coach · Rafael Monteiro
The Art of Eight Limbs
Muay Thai
Traditional Thai stand-up: punches, kicks, elbows, knees and the clinch. Pad work with a coach every session.
- Loaner gloves for your first class
- Technical sparring by invitation
- 7 sessions per week
Head coach · Kanya Srisawat
Takedowns & Control
Wrestling
Folkstyle and freestyle fundamentals: stance, level changes, shots and top control. The base every grappler needs.
- Drill-first, low-impact entry
- Pairs well with BJJ
- 4 sessions per week
Head coach · Marcus Webb
Boxing for the Cage
MMA Striking
Boxing and kickboxing adapted for mixed rules: footwork against the fence, defending takedowns while striking.
- Fundamentals through fight prep
- Amateur competition pathway
- 5 sessions per week
Head coach · Daria Volkov
Schedule
Class Timetable
Seven days a week. New students start in any Fundamentals class.
25 classes · Page 1 of 5
Monday
BJJ · Fundamentals
Rafael Monteiro
From 06:00 to 07:00
Monday
Muay Thai · All Levels
Kanya Srisawat
From 12:00 to 13:00
Monday
BJJ · All Levels
Rafael Monteiro
From 18:00 to 19:30
Monday
Muay Thai · Sparring
Kanya Srisawat
From 19:30 to 21:00
Tuesday
Wrestling · Fundamentals
Marcus Webb
From 06:00 to 07:00
Tuesday
MMA Striking · All Levels
Daria Volkov
From 18:00 to 19:30
Coaches
Coaching Staff
World titles, verified lineage, and years of teaching beginners. Every class is run by one of these four.
BJJ Head Coach / Co-Founder
Rafael Monteiro
- Record
- 87–12
- Rank
- 3rd Degree Black Belt
Lineage Carlson Gracie Sr. → Carlos Lemos Jr. → Rafael Monteiro
- IBJJF World Champion 2017 (Black Belt)
- ADCC Trials Qualifier 2019
- Certified NAGA Head Referee
- 15 years on the mats
Rafael moved from São Paulo to train full-time at 19. He has spent fifteen years refining a curriculum that works for beginners on their first day and competitors preparing for IBJJF Worlds.
Muay Thai Head Coach
Kanya Srisawat
- Record
- 48–14
- Notes
- 31 KOs
- WMC World Champion 2016
- Former Lumpinee Stadium Fighter
- 6 years representing Thailand nationally
- IFMA Level 2 Coaching Certificate
Kanya fought out of Chiang Mai from age fourteen. She holds the WMC World title at 60 kg and has since shifted her focus entirely to teaching the technical Muay Thai she developed over a sixteen-year career.
Wrestling & Grappling Coach
Marcus Webb
- Record
- 134–12
- Notes
- NCAA Division I
- 3× Ohio State Champion
- NCAA Division I All-American
- USA Wrestling Level 3 Certified Coach
- Former OTC Resident Athlete
Marcus finished his collegiate career ranked second nationally at 74 kg. His coaching method is systematic: he breaks wrestling down into physics problems and rebuilds athletes from the ground up.
MMA & Striking Coach
Daria Volkov
- Record
- 12–4
- Notes
- 8 TKO finishes
- Former Bellator 125 lb Contender
- RDA Boxing Level 3 Certification
- IMMAF Head Coach Licence
- 10 years competitive MMA
Daria competed for Bellator from 2015 to 2021. She retired with 8 stoppages and has spent the three years since developing a striking curriculum for fighters at every experience level.
Your First Class
What to Expect
Four steps. No surprises. Nobody spars on day one.
Step 01
Show Up
Wear shorts and a t-shirt. No gi, no gloves, no gear. Arrive ten minutes before class starts so your coach can meet you.
Step 02
Coach Orientation
Your coach takes ten minutes before class to walk you through the structure, the mat etiquette, and what the session looks like. One-on-one, no audience.
Step 03
Drill, Not Spar
Every Fundamentals class is technique at controlled pace. You drill movements with a partner. There is no live sparring in your first session, or until your coach clears you.
Step 04
Ask Anything
After class, your coach stays for fifteen minutes. Bring your questions: belt levels, hygiene policy, membership, technique.
Shorts and a t-shirt. That's all you need.
The Facility
The Mat Is Clean
3,500 square feet in Riverside's Industrial District. Built for training, cleaned like a clinic.
3,500 sq ft mat space
Climate-controlled, dedicated zones per discipline
Hospital-grade tatami
Sanitised before every session. CCTV monitored.
Strength & conditioning
Bags, weights, and cardio equipment on-site
Changing rooms & showers
Separate men's and women's facilities
First aid certified coaches
On every mat, every session
Pro shop on-site
Gi, gloves, wraps, mouthguards
No lock-in contracts
Month-to-month. Book classes online 7 days ahead.
Parking & spectator seating
20 dedicated spaces. Room for parents and supporters.
From the Mats
In Their Words
I walked in knowing nothing. Six months later I got my first stripe and submitted a guy with three years on me. The Fundamentals class is designed for people who have never trained. No one threw me in the deep end.
James T.BJJ · Blue Belt · Member since 2022
Membership
Join the Gym
Month-to-month. No lock-in contracts, no joining fee. Start with a free class.
Start Here
Free Trial
$0one class- Any Fundamentals class
- 10-min coach orientation included
- No gear required
- No credit card
Focused
Single Discipline
$129/month- Unlimited classes in one discipline
- Open Mat access
- Online booking
- No lock-in contract
Most Popular
Full Access
$199/month- All 4 disciplines, unlimited classes
- Priority booking (48h window)
- Sparring sessions included
- Pro shop discount 10%
Family, student and first-responder rates available at the front desk.
Still Deciding?
Your first class costs nothing. No credit card. No follow-up calls unless you ask.
FAQ
Frequently Asked
Straight answers to what new students ask most.
Do I need to buy gear before my first class?
No. Wear shorts and a t-shirt. The gym provides loaner gloves for striking classes. Your first class is gear-free.
Is this safe for someone who has never trained before?
Fundamentals classes run at technique pace only. There is no live sparring until your coach clears you. Every session has a certified coach on the mat. In fifteen years, one Fundamentals class has produced a mat injury.
What should I wear?
Shorts and a rash guard or t-shirt for most classes. BJJ classes eventually need a gi. Wait until after your trial before buying one. The pro shop stocks everything you will need.
Will I be expected to spar on day one?
No. Fundamentals classes are technique-only. You drill movements with a partner at controlled speed. Sparring comes later, when your coach decides your technique is ready.
I'm not in shape yet. Is that a problem?
The conditioning comes from training. The first few weeks are hard regardless of fitness level. That is also true for former athletes. Fundamentals classes are paced for beginners. Show up.
Are the mats clean?
Tatami is cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectant before every session. Coaches enforce a no-shoes-on-mat policy and a nail check at the door. If you see something off, tell the desk. It gets fixed before the next class.
Can I try one class before committing to a membership?
Yes. The free trial is one class in any Fundamentals session. No credit card, no follow-up sales call unless you ask for one. Book through the site or call the desk.
How long before I can defend myself?
Six consistent months of BJJ Fundamentals gives most students working knowledge of escapes, positional control, and basic submissions. Muay Thai students develop functional striking within three to four months. Results track attendance.
Something else? Call +1 (951) 555-0147
Find Us
Location & Hours
20 free parking spaces on-site. Five minutes from the 91.
Address
47 Industrial Avenue, Unit 4Riverside, CA 92501+1 (951) 555-0147info@apexmma.comGet Directions →
Opening Hours
- Monday – Friday
- 06:00 – 21:00
- Saturday
- 09:00 – 15:30
- Sunday
- 10:00 – 15:30
Front desk opens 30 min before the first class.