MMA in Nijmegen: training, gyms and fighters

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Introduction

History of this sport

The Tatsujin network. Martijn de Jong started Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Remco Pardoel in 1995 and founded Tatsujin Dojo that same year. The name refers to a gym for specialists and reflects his nickname, ‘The Specialist’. De Jong later became part of Golden Glory, alongside athletes including Semmy Schilt and Alistair Overeem. This history provides the background to the network that the Nijmegen location belongs to.

A location in Nijmegen. According to the club profile on Tapology, Tatsujin opened a location in Nijmegen in 2006 as a branch of Tatsujin Dojo Deventer. The school offers MMA, Shooto, kickboxing, grappling and BJJ. The Tatsujin network connects Nijmegen with locations in Amsterdam, Deventer and Goor, among others. On social media, the Nijmegen school also uses the name Tatsujin MMA Nijmegen/Ubeda Sports.

Training and competition development. Alongside Tatsujin, Energia Martial Arts offers MMA, BJJ and grappling in Nijmegen. Local training is connected to competitions outside the city. One example is Tatsujin Nijmegen’s Jorn Sjaardema, who competed in the main event of Cage Warriors Academy Lowlands 12 in Eindhoven in November 2024.

Local connections

Nijmegen and Eindhoven. Jorn Sjaardema represented Tatsujin Nijmegen in the main event of Cage Warriors Academy Lowlands 12 in Eindhoven. His participation shows how a Nijmegen training base can connect to the competition circuit beyond the city.

Nijmegen and Arnhem. Energia Martial Arts offers training in Nijmegen and Arnhem. In Arnhem, the organization lists training at Dion Staring’s gym, among other options. The Arnhem location and coaching should be distinguished from the classes offered in Nijmegen.

Nijmegen and Deventer. Tatsujin Nijmegen’s club profile describes the school as a branch of Tatsujin Dojo Deventer. This makes the Nijmegen branch part of a wider network around founder Martijn de Jong.

Stand-up fighting and ground fighting. MMA training combines techniques from kickboxing, wrestling, and BJJ, among other disciplines. Tatsujin Nijmegen also uses the name Ubeda Sports on Instagram. When comparing training, the actual classes offered, the trainers, and the coaching matter more than the name a school uses to present itself.

Martial arts facts

Ultimate Glory 8 in Nijmegen: 6 July 2008

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Clubs and training locations

Training in this city

Combining disciplines. The Nijmegen offering includes MMA, Shooto, kickboxing, BJJ, and grappling. Wrestling is also covered in MMA. Ask which disciplines are combined in the MMA class and which are available as separate classes.

Tatsujin Dojo Nijmegen. Tatsujin Dojo Nijmegen is listed at Eerste Oude Heselaan 260. The school offers MMA and additional disciplines, with members taking part in grappling tournaments and amateur MMA matches. The listed opening hours are 07:00 to 22:30; this does not mean MMA classes run throughout that entire period. Check the current schedule for the training you want.

Energia Martial Arts Nijmegen. Energia Martial Arts offers MMA, BJJ, and grappling in Nijmegen. For a trial class, check the current training location and class times directly. Discuss what equipment you need and which class is suitable for your experience.

From technique to contact training. Ask how technical drills, partner work, and sparren are structured. Beginners need a suitable introduction; experienced athletes can focus on transitions and competition scenarios. Discuss with the coach how additional grappling competitions or amateur fights could fit into your development.

Choose a club

Start with your training goal. Do you want to learn MMA for recreation, improve your fitness, or eventually compete? Ask how the training program aligns with that goal. Complete MMA training involves more than just stand-up techniques and ground fighting; takedowns, clinch work, and transitions between these elements are important too.

Compare coaching and safety. Ask about the trainers’ experience and qualifications, and whether the gym has a quality mark from the Combat Sports Authority. During a trial class, look for clear instructions, suitable training partners, and a gradual increase in contact. Ask how sparren is supervised and how beginners are introduced to it.

Review the class schedule. BJJ, grappling, wrestling, and kickboxing can help develop specific skills. Ask which classes are included in the membership and how they complement MMA. If you have competition goals, you can ask about the selection process, training load, and support for your first competitions, without assuming every gym offers the same path.

Choose a sustainable routine. Compare current class schedules, travel time within Nijmegen, costs, and membership terms. A trial class can help you assess the atmosphere and level. Choose based on the coaching and training style that suit you, not just well-known names or competition results.

Discover the clubs

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Athletes with a connection to this city

Jorn Sjaardema. Competition records associate Jorn Sjaardema with Tatsujin Dojo Nijmegen. In November 2024, he faced Samuel Hovsepyan in the main event of Cage Warriors Academy Lowlands 12. The event took place in Eindhoven; his connection to Nijmegen is through his team.

Jeroen Mullers. Jeroen Mullers is listed in competition records as a light heavyweight representing Tatsujin Dojo Nijmegen, with amateur MMA bouts between 2014 and 2017. His registered team provides a direct link to Nijmegen’s training scene during that period.

Grappling mat experience. Tatsujin Nijmegen shares its members’ results from grappling tournaments on social media, including the Dutch Open Grappling. These competitions offer a different format from MMA: athletes work on control, escapes, and submissions without the standing and ground strikes of an MMA bout.

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Trainers with a connection to this city

Marciano Clare at Tatsujin Dojo Nijmegen. Tatsujin Nijmegen names Marciano Clare as the head of the school on its Facebook page. The program includes MMA, Shooto, and BJJ. Ask the school who teaches the specific classes and how coaching is structured for beginners, experienced recreationalists, and competitive athletes.

Martijn de Jong and the network background. Martijn de Jong founded Tatsujin in 1995 and began teaching BJJ and MMA with training partner Saron Debets around that time. His Tatsujin Training System was later also used in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. His role as founder provides context for the Nijmegen network, but does not mean he teaches the regular classes in Nijmegen.

Coaching at Energia Martial Arts. Energia Martial Arts lists one location in Nijmegen and two in Arnhem, offering MMA, BJJ, grappling, and capoeira. Ask about the instructors for the Nijmegen classes, their experience, and how students at different experience levels are supported during training.