Business Details
33 Years
experience
Your Premier Martial Arts Training Center in Edina, MN
Alliance Jiu Jitsu Minnesota was founded in 1993 by Romero Jacare Cavalcanti, Fabio Gurgel, and Alexandre Paiva. As a globally recognized leader in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we have trained hundreds of world champions and established a reputation for technical excellence and professionalism. Our mission is to empower individuals through martial arts, fostering self-confidence, discipline, and physical fitness. Head instructor Damian Hirtz, a 3rd-degree black belt with over 25 years of experience, leads our team in delivering structured programs for adults, children, and law enforcement professionals.Our curriculum emphasizes leverage-based techniques, ensuring accessibility for all ages and fitness levels. With a focus on community and personal growth, we provide a supportive environment where students develop mental resilience and practical self-defense skills. Our competitive team consistently dominates international tournaments, including multiple IBJJF World Championship titles. We prioritize safety, technical precision, and the holistic benefits of Jiu Jitsu, making it the foundation for modern mixed martial arts and law enforcement training.
Services
Adult Jiu Jitsu Classes
Kids Martial Arts Programs
Law Enforcement Training
Competition Preparation
Self-Defense Instruction
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of proven technical expertise from 12x World Championship team
- Structured curriculum for all skill levels, from beginners to competitors
- Specialized law enforcement ground defense training programs
- Experienced instructors with international competition success
- Supportive community fostering personal growth and discipline
What people say
Best instructors in Midwest
Supportive training environment
Proven competition results
Positive character development
Family-friendly atmosphere
Services
Adult Jiu Jitsu Classes
Structured programs for adults develop technical proficiency, physical fitness, and mental discipline. Our curriculum includes fundamentals, intermediate, and advanced classes with sparring opportunities. Students learn self-defense techniques while building confidence and resilience through systematic training.
Kids Martial Arts Programs
Age-specific classes for children aged 6-12 focus on self-defense basics, character development, and physical coordination. The program emphasizes respect, discipline, and confidence-building through engaging, safety-focused instruction tailored to young learners.
Law Enforcement Training
POST-certified Revolution Ground Control Tactics program trains law enforcement officers in practical defensive techniques. The four-level system develops proficiency in real-world scenarios, emphasizing safety, control, and teachable skill application for department-wide implementation.
Competition Preparation
Advanced classes prepare athletes for IBJJF and other competitions through specialized drilling, sparring, and strategy sessions. Our proven methodology has produced multiple world champions across all belt levels and age categories.
Self-Defense Instruction
Practical self-defense programs teach leverage-based techniques for real-world scenarios. Training emphasizes situational awareness, de-escalation strategies, and effective countermeasures against larger opponents using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu principles.
People
Damian Hirtz
Head Instructor
3rd-degree black belt with 25+ years of experience, multiple IBJJF medalist, and creator of law enforcement ground control tactics. Teaches daily classes and trains competitive athletes while maintaining a focus on technical precision.
Gilberto Monroy
Black Belt Instructor
Experienced instructor specializing in youth programs, with competitive achievements at international tournaments. Focuses on developing foundational skills and fostering positive character development in young students.
Dumisani Thomsen
Black Belt Instructor
Morning class specialist with expertise in all-levels instruction. Brings international competition experience to daily training sessions, emphasizing technical fundamentals and practical application for students of all skill levels.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for training?
We offer programs for children aged 6-12 and adults of all ages, with specialized curricula tailored to each demographic's developmental needs.
How long does it take to earn a black belt?
Typical progression takes 8-12 years through white, blue, purple, brown, and black belt ranks, with consistent training and technical mastery demonstrated at each level.
Do you offer women-specific classes?
While we don't have separate women's classes, our co-ed programs emphasize safety and technical skill development that particularly benefits female students through leverage-based techniques.
Are there competitive opportunities available?
Yes, we prepare students for IBJJF tournaments and host internal competitions like the annual Iron Eagle event, with divisions for all skill levels and belt ranks.
What safety measures are in place?
Instructors emphasize proper technique over force, with progressive skill development. Supervised sparring ensures controlled environments while maintaining strict hygiene standards for mat cleanliness.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Ben Craig
Jul 28, 2021
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I was in MN for work/family for a month and Alliance was the gym I went to. Damian made the 45 minute drives worth it. Very good fundamentals/instruction and all of the people I worked with gave me good tips. And Damian answered my million questions prior to arriving, so kudos to anyone who can deal with all the questions. Whenever I am back in town, this will be the spot. If you live here, definitely recommend it.
Carsten C.
Oct 15, 2020
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I have only been here a few months, I am a white belt, and am lucky enough to have started my jiu jitsu journey here. This gym is top notch, the instructors know what they are talking about, have the accolades to prove it, and are super friendly. Best gym in the twin cities, highly recommend training here!
Raphael
Jan 23, 2020
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Great place to train friendly and clean. The owner Damian is not only a top-notch instructor but a top-notch human being. Don't hesitate to train here just sign up and you will be happy you did. My son trained here and it was great if we hadn't moved so far south we would still be there, in fact we are trying to see if we can make it work with our schedule even with the longer drive.
Arrio
Dec 25, 2019
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Alliance MN is by far the best BJJ school I've trained at. The head instructor is probably the best teacher I've ever had, in any subject, in my entire life. The other instructors are great as well, and the community is excellent. Everyone here is respectful and genuinely wants everyone to have a great learning experience. I have nothing but great things to say about this school!
Brock B.
Nov 11, 2019
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Professors Damian and Tim truly care about your progression in BJJ and will remember you by first name almost immediately, which is remarkable considering the amount and diversity of training partners you will experience here. If you are looking to maximize your ability and progress FAST I would look no further. Not to mention the instructors are constantly looking to innovate new techniques and training tactics to stay on top of jiu jitsu trends, as this art never stops evolving. The team atmosphere here is as welcoming as it gets!
Erin Azevedo Dos Santos
Nov 11, 2019
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I have trained at Alliance on and off for about 4 years now. I love this gym!!! The instructors are excellent! The people are like family! Jiu jitsu can be intimidating for women sometimes but this gym really makes you feel at home!
Roxana S.
Nov 05, 2019
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This is a fantastic academy! I dropped in here to train while visiting from out of town. They took great care of me. Instruction was super technical and so was everyone I rolled with. Really friendly atmosphere. 10/10 would train here again!
