Welcome to Phenom Jiu Jitsu.
A black-belt-led academy on Von Karman Avenue where kids and adults learn technique before force. Founded 2014. Beginners on the mat in every single class.
- Established
- 2014
- Head instructor
- Prof. Martin Morachimo
- Programs
- Kids · Adults · Muay Thai
- Locations
- Irvine & Lake Forest
01 Why Phenom
Why families across Orange County choose Phenom
Jiu Jitsu is more than a martial art. It teaches students to stay calm under pressure, solve problems, move with confidence and keep going when things get difficult.
Better focus, discipline, coordination and resilience. Several elite youth athletes train here as a secondary sport, building mental strength and overall fitness that carries into soccer, wrestling, football and basketball.
Practical self-defence, real conditioning, stress relief and a room full of people who want you to get better. After one session most people understand why so many become obsessed with this art.
Proper technique, respectful training partners and coaching that meets each student where they are. Nobody is thrown in the deep end here.
02 Programs
Three programs. One standard.
Whether you want a confidence-building activity for your child or a serious training habit of your own, every Phenom class is beginner-friendly and built around correct technique.
Kids Jiu Jitsu
Confidence, discipline, coordination and real self-defence skills in a structured class with multiple coaches on the mat.
Explore
Adult Jiu Jitsu
Learn to control, escape and submit — plus the conditioning, mobility and composure that come with it.
Explore
Phenom Muay Thai
Authentic striking taught by head coach Nick, shaped by years training and fighting out of FA Group in Bangkok.
Explore
03 Proof
What families in Irvine actually say
Inside the room
A brand-new, air-conditioned facility with top-of-the-line shock-absorbing mats, locker rooms and showers.
05 Head instructor
Professor Martin Morachimo
Twenty-four years in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Martin began under Roger Machado — one of the five Machado brothers — in December 2000, then trained under multiple-time world champion Romulo Barral, winning the 2011 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships as a brown belt.
He taught full time from 2009, spent three years as head instructor at Gracie Barra Santa Ana, and opened Phenom in 2014.
“Jiu-Jitsu teaches us to be comfortably uncomfortable — there is always a possibility to overcome and rise again.”
We hope you can join us in building a team for us all to be proud of.Professor Martin Morachimo · Founder
06 Questions
Questions before your first class
Anything not covered here, just ask — call or text (657) 210-1615 and a coach will answer.
No. Every class at Phenom includes beginners, and our intro class assumes you have never trained before. You will learn basic movements at your own pace with a coach walking you through each step.
Our Little Phenoms kids program takes children from age 4 through 14, grouped by age: 4 to 5, 6 to 7, and 8 to 14, so each child trains alongside peers at a similar stage.
Our main academy is at 16782 Von Karman Ave, Unit 22, Irvine, CA 92606, minutes from Tustin, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. We also have a second location at 22661 Lambert St, Suite 207, Lake Forest, CA 92630.
Yes. The intro class is free and there is nothing to buy beforehand. Book online or call or text (657) 210-1615.
Classes are built for all fitness levels. Jiu Jitsu is about leverage and technique rather than raw strength, and you set your own pace. Most people find their conditioning improves quickly once they start training regularly.
07 Start here
Your first class is free.
No experience needed, no fitness prerequisite, nothing to buy. Here is exactly how it goes.
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01
Book it
Reserve your free intro class online in about a minute — or call and we will book it for you.
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02
Turn up
Comfortable athletic clothes are fine for a first class. Arrive a few minutes early and we will show you around.
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03
Train
Meet the coaches, learn a few basic movements and get an honest feel for how the room works.
Prefer to talk? (657) 210-1615 ◆
08 Find us
Two academies in Orange County
Our flagship academy sits in the Irvine business district off Von Karman Avenue, minutes from Tustin, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. Our second location serves Lake Forest and south county.
Irvine, CA 92606 Get directions