So when I'd been wanting to start BJJ for years but was always intimidated. I even tried a couple intro classes at another gym in Chicago and the vibe was just all wrong for me. This is why I'm so happy to have found Soul Fighters Chicago. Such a great gym with top notch instruction. Andre has found what is the perfect balance of seriousness/intensity in training while maintaining a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. One thing I've found particularly great about the instruction is the attention to detail. Somehow if your foot is not quite in the right place or your hand needs to be rotated Andre can spot this from across the room and will correct you so you're not drilling with mistakes, its truly impressive. While I don't make it to a ton of evening classes (6:30 am crew checking in!) I'd also like to shout out to Zito's instruction in the fundamentals classes. He's really great at making the new people feel relaxed and comfortable all while being a great teaching of techniques and concepts. This also brings me to the other students and overall vibe of this academy. Everyone is there is get better, have fun, and really takes the time to help each other. The feeling of camaraderie here is high and is what has allowed me to get over that initial intimidation and end up as a regular student going 2-4 times a week for the last 8 months. Overall I can not recommend Soul Fighters enough if you're interested in BJJ. read more

If you want to attend a Brazilian Jiujitsu school where the owner and head instructor dates his female students and gets them pregnant. While forbidding his adult male and female students from dating each other outside of school grounds, which is a private matter between two consenting adults. Maintaining a double standard of "do as I say, not as I do" then this is the place for you! If you want to be accused, labeled, and threatened to cancel your membership or kicked out without getting the facts first because the owner doesn't know how to handle conflict resolution, then this is the place for you! If you get injured, and you're not able to attend training due to your injury, and you asked the owner to put your paying membership on hold temporarily because your orthopedic doctor has you on medical orders, be careful! The owner is more concerned about money than your health! He will get upset and ridicule you for putting your paying membership on hold. Somehow the owner has a medical degree! If you want to attend a Brazilian Jiujitsu school where you're a new student who has suffered a knee injury and another female student who happens to be a white belt, with no experience, and with a tremendous amount of ego and does a leg lock on your injured leg and you questioned their technique or asked them not to such a technique out of concern for your health and safety. Then this is the place for you! If your role with a student that practices "Tickle Jiujitsu" with his opponent, then you rough him up for doing something dumb and stupid, then he goes and cries foul 3 weeks after the fact to the academy owner. Then the academy owner blames you for being rough and informs you that this "student" has a 20% stake in the academy. Then this is the place for you! If you want to be ridiculed or embarrassed in front of others of a misunderstanding of the facts not yet known, then this is the place for you! If you want to attend a Brazilian Jiujitsu school where some students are too sensitive and act like babies, their egos get shattered. Then go cry foul, then this is the place for you! If you're under the impression that you're having a private telephone conversation with the school owner without him asking you permission for others to listen to such dialogue. Disregarding your privacy, then this is the place for you! If you want to attend a Brazilian jiujitsu school where the owner is more concerned about money more than your well-being, then this is the place for you! If you want to attend a Brazilian Jiujitsu school where the owner suffers from anger issues, acts unprofessional, rude, and hangs up the phone on you because the owner doesn't know how to handle constructive criticism, then this is the place for you! If you want to attend a Jiujitsu school were the owner has cameras all over the place without posted legal signs indicating that you're being recorded during training or anytime thereof, this is the place for you! I don't like to post negative reviews because of the love that I have for Jiujitsu. After leaving a well-respected Jiujitsu school and visiting "Soul Fighters" Andre Maneco, Brazilian Jiujitsu school, and staying for a short time, I experience all of the above. It's unfortunate and sad, but I feel compelled to leave a negative review because I wish not to elaborate any further due to the reasons above and many others. Male and female students have left this academy for personal reasons, and I'm just another casualty of the rude, unprofessional character and behavior from Andre Maneco. I wouldn't recommend this school, not even to my worst enemy! I was warned, but I choose not to listen... With so many good, professional, caring, and understanding BJJ schools around Chicago, this is "NOT" the one! Stay away! Lesson learned! read more

Great training environment ! The gym is filled with positive people always looking to help eachother. The facility is very nice with a good mat space and kept VERY CLEAN. Andre Maneco is a world class fighter and possibly even a better instructor. The gym caters to everyone from the person looking to get in shape and learn jiu jitsu to the person looking to be the next world champion. read more

See all

I train here when I come to Chicago for work. I recommend training here. They have a good schedule, friendly and respectful students, knowledgeable instructors, and a clean facility. Check it out. read more

If you've never done any type of martial arts before like me, walking into a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy for the first was intimidating. To say the least. After all, BJJ is bad ass and a master like Andre attracts students dedicated to the craft. However I quickly found that starting out was not as nearly as intimidating as I imagined. Andre is very welcoming and everyone who trains with him has the same mentality: a rising tide lifts all ships. Not only is Andre one of the best BJJ fighters in the world, he is also one of the most patient instructors you will find. The other students I train with are also very patient and always take the time to help me improve. In fact, it's not uncommon for him to train with us on a Thursday night, fight in Portugal on Saturday and be back to train with us on Monday night. You will be hard pressed to find anybody who competes as much as Andre. This has a huge positive impact on the atmosphere at his academy. A key aspect of getting good at anything is how much time you spend honing your skills. One of the coolest things about training with Andre is as a white belt, once he's certain you have the basics down (and won't kill anybody), he will let you spar as much as you like. This is how you get better. Fast. As a white belt, you will get lots of mat time sparing with lots of blue and higher belts. In fact, you will get as much mat time as a purple belt. If you checkout other academies, you will find this is very rare. Very very rare. Most white belts get minimal mat time. At other academies, you will also find most of them are in the business of selling you Jiu Jitsu training packages like a high pressure time share pitch. With Andre, there is none of that. You join the academy, you show up and you train. Occasionally, he will have some special guests fighters hosting specialty workshops. However he doesn't sell it like a buy-here, pay-here car lot salesman. Andre is in the business of turning you into a bad ass BJJ fighter. Period. Whether it's to learn some basic self defense, to fight MMA or to compete in BJJ competitions. read more

Honestly, one of the most positive experiences I have ever had anywhere. I have been wanting to take jiu-jitsu for over a year and I finally pulled the trigger and I am super happy that I picked Andre Maneco. I get really nervous and scared when I try new things with complete strangers but I was welcomed with literally opened arms here. The first week I started taking classes, Andre and Pierre were out in a competition and so Andrew taught a few of the classes. So far, I have only taken the fundamentals BJJ but Andrew explained everything really well, very welcoming and patient. The last few classes I have taken with Pierre and he is also an awesome teacher! He is thorough, patient, positive and really cares about us learning. No one knocks you down or makes you feel uncomfortable for not knowing the basics. In one class, I had a hard time with what seemed like a very easy movement; I was at a point where I was really frustrated and embarrassed but one of the instructors took me off to the side and helped me get it down. I really love the sense of community here, in addition, jiu-jitsu is a very technical and beautiful art, it has definitely been an amazing and humbling experience for me so far. read more

Great gym with a wonderful group of people. I've been continuing to train and learn here since it opened 3 years ago, and now my daughter has been taking kids classes as well. Facility is clean, staff is very nice. Classes for all skill levels with a variety of times. read more

The place is outstanding. The instructor is very passionate about you learning the technic and operating it perfectly.

I've been training here since June 2017, and I can honestly say I love it. Andre is very talented and passionate. He gives each of his students equal attention and exceeds his reputation. I also cherish my morning classes with Max, he teaches great technique and basics. Good crew of people that come here as well. I'm definitely going to continue to come here as long as the gym is open. read more

If you want a place to really learn BJJ you must come and join this team!! Andre is one of the most decorated guys in town and has a lot passion to teach and compete. The environment is great, the staff knows how to treat you well and make you feel comfortable. Don't think twice, stop by and see by yourself!! read more

Soul Fighters Chicago - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I brought my son here 11 months ago on a recommendation from a friend who's 2 boys train here. He had a little bjj experience and a little judo experience. This past weekend he competed in his 5th BJJ tournament (New Breed Ultimate Challenge) and won a gold medal in Gi and a gold medal belt in advanced no-gi in 12-13 yr old divisions. If you're looking for a place to get your son or daughter into a great environment to train, meet friends, learn self defense, and learn to compete- I highly recommend Soul Fighters. There is always a black belt on the mat with the kids which makes a huge difference. Caio is a fantastic instructor who is great with the kids and passionate about their development. Andre is always there to make sure the kids are progressing. They had a 4th degree black belt from Brazil come up and teach kids classes for 2 weeks -the kids learned so much and had a blast learning advanced techniques. Self confidence, setting goals, and achieving success while having fun sums up is what my son has experienced so far. read more

I've been to several BJJ schools between Miami and Chicago, this place has a great team of people always willing to teach and have a great training time. If you are a beginner Pierre teaches the best beginner class ever, and you can always roll with the big boys as they will teach you. This place takes care of their people and cares about a clean, friendly, and injury free environment. read more

Great clean space and phenomenal instruction, especially the kids program. Most martial arts schools see kids as an annoying but necessary revenue stream, but Andre provides the highest level of instruction for students of all ages. read more

Person in the front desk was very rude. The place was empty when I came in yet he made me wait for 10 mins and barely made a sign. Was it because I'm a woman? I've never had such unwelcoming attitudes at any bjj space before. read more

Great school with a hands on instructor who is very approachable and trains daily with his students. I've been to schools in California, Ohio and other schools in Chicago and without question this school is one of the best. I really enjoy the team feeling and focused class mates this school has to offer. read more

I've been coming here for a month or two and have been extremely impressed with Andre Manecco BJJ thus far. I've been instructed primarily by Pierre and Andre and both are world-class instructors that make complicated movements and techniques easy to grasp and approachable. I can honestly say I improve substantially with each class I attend and this is a product of their teaching as well as the atmosphere they've created. The students from white belts up to brown belts are eager to help in a safe and hard-working environment. I'm hooked and am looking forward to continuing my training at Andre Manecco BJJ. read more

I came to Andre Maneco BJJ by taking advantage of the free trial class they offer. What a great experience! I met Andre as well as Pierre who taught the BJJ Fundamentals class I took. It was fun, exhausting, and I learned a lot. It's the real deal, great environment, with a lot of camaraderie among the students. Andre and Pierre are experts and great teachers! Everyone was welcoming, so you have nothing to fear if you're a newbie like I was. Highly recommend! read more

Nice clean facility, good matt space. Incredible teaching from 20 years of experience. Amazing environment everyone is friendly. Great idea to get in shape for the new year and expand your mind. read more

I have taken several different martial arts in my lifetime (my dad signed me up for aikido with him and my brothers when I was 8 and I've studied different disciplines on and off since then). I have attended several different schools. I have had some good instructors, and some that were not so good. I did some research on different BJJ schools and asked some friends who also do BJJ. I found that Andre Maneco has a very good reputation and an impressive resume. I have only been studying here for two weeks, but I already feel more comfortable than I have at any other dojo etc that I've ever attended. Everyone is very nice. I have not experienced any arrogance with higher belts as I have in other schools. Pierre teaches the fundamentals class. He is very nice, professional, and knowledgeable. He explains things thoroughly and gives an explanation for why certain moves are done a certain way. This helps me understand and remember a lot better. Now for Andre......... I don't even know where to begin. He is probably the nicest, most welcoming master I've ever studied under. He is genuinely concerned about the experience each student has there. He tells us that he wants us to come to as many classes as we can because he wants us to learn a lot and have very strong BJJ skills. Most other places set a limit for the number of classes you can attend each week. He is extremely knowledgeable and he explains things very well. He also tells us the reason for doing the moves and explains the different scenarios that could happen if you do it wrong. He gets down on the mats with each student and shows them how it is supposed to be done. He then asks people of higher rank to work with students so they have a clear understanding of each move, and he still comes around to each pair to help. He is very welcoming, and funny. He makes us feel comfortable and makes us laugh sometimes, which makes things less intimidating. He commands respect, not because he tells you to give it to him, but because of how he is as a master and as a person. I would highly recommend this school to anyone, new or experienced, who wants to study BJJ. read more

This gym is great! Andre & Pierre were super friendly and welcoming from the moment I walked in. The beginners classes were perfect for me - someone who's never taken BJJ before. Senior students helped out and partnered with me to show me the ropes. The whole culture of the gym is friendly, supportive, and inclusive. Zero posturing. Zero intimidation. Andre says to leave your ego at the door and everyone seems to have taken that to heart. A+! read more

Andre and Pierre have created an atmosphere that makes anyone comfortable to train a real martial art for self defense that is also great as a method to achieve physical fitness. All are welcome and both myself and my girlfriend feel as if we joined a family. All members of the gym are very respectful, as you would expect at a real martial arts school, and anytime there is a moment where that can potentially be compromised Andre and Pierre address it immediately, which we view as highly professional. Side note - I lost 15lbs in 3 months doing something that is enjoyable physically and mentally, words can't describe how awesome that is for someone like myself that takes zero enjoyment from running mile after mile and picking up heavy objects repeatedly. read more

The instructors are phenomenal here. My son has been here for 18 months and his confidence level is worlds away from when he started. The classes keep the kids busy constantly (unlike a number of karate classes we have been to) and the instructor (especially Andre) genuinely cares about the kids. Andre is developing a wonderful kids program and we intend to be a part of it for many years. read more

As a litle back story, I am a purple belt in bjj coming off an 8 month layoff due to an injury. I kept putting off getting back into training BJJ, until I found a groupon for Andre Maneco BJJ. Let me tell you that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have trained at several gyms in Chicago, and this is one of the best. Everybody was incredibly welcoming, and the level of training was really high. Andre's jiu jitsu is super legit and he is a great instructor, as well as a very welcoming person. A lot of gyms and instructors are standoffish to new people training, but that is not the case here. He even told me to go at my own pace until I get all the way back into shape after such a long layoff. Overall, I highly recommend training here. read more