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Diamond State Martial Arts - Fayetteville
4.9 ★★★★★ 103 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized judo governing body or lineage (think USA Judo, USJA, USJF, Kodokan or Tenri). If affiliation matters to you, ask which body the dojo belongs to and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most dojos welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth judo classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Newaza newaza (groundwork) classes — judo's mat game of pins, holds, and controls, and a natural bridge to Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Competition a competition team for members who want to test themselves in shiai (tournaments)
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule diamondstatemartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 479-966-9427
Hours
| Monday | 6–7 am, 12–1:30 pm, 5–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6–7 am, 12–1 pm, 6–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4–8:30 pm |
| Friday | 6–7 am, 6–7 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It is an awesome gym with a large variety of different classes daily, every class is well coached, and there’s tons of levers for beginners, advanced, youth, and adult.”
“My daughter was looking for a new gym to continue training while she attends UofAR.”
“Everyone has been very welcoming and it's a great environment whether you're there to just have fun and enjoy martial arts or to become a better competitor.”
“I love how diverse it is and the constant one on one direction.”
Other martial arts here
“Diamond State Martial Arts is a truly rare find, offering Muay Thai/Dutch Kickboxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi and no-Gi), Mixed Martial Arts, and most importantly Judo.”
“Diamond State Martial Arts is a truly rare find, offering Muay Thai/Dutch Kickboxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi and no-Gi), Mixed Martial Arts, and most importantly Judo.”
“Diamond State Martial Arts is a truly rare find, offering Muay Thai/Dutch Kickboxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi and no-Gi), Mixed Martial Arts, and most importantly Judo.”
“I joined this gym in January of 2025 having never trained martial arts before except Karate when I was 5 or 6 years old.”
What members say
“Coach Dan is awesome, partners are great, facility is clean, and the training is legit.”
“It is an awesome gym with a large variety of different classes daily, every class is well coached, and there’s tons of levers for beginners, advanced, youth, and adult.”
“Everyone has been very welcoming and it's a great environment whether you're there to just have fun and enjoy martial arts or to become a better competitor.”
“Can’t say enough good things about the culture, the technique, and the fun we have here!”
“Everyone has been very welcoming and it's a great environment whether you're there to just have fun and enjoy martial arts or to become a better competitor.”
“Been training here for about a year and I’ve met some of the best people who have inspired my confidence that I’ve carried with me outside of the gym.”
From the reviews
Both my kids go here. As of this review it’s been almost a year. My kids love these coaches and this gym puts a lot of work into these kids. So excited to see how far they go with it! If you are on the fence, try out a class!
Been training here for about a year and I’ve met some of the best people who have inspired my confidence that I’ve carried with me outside of the gym. Daniel is a wonderful coach leading a great group of training partners. Can’t say enough good things about the culture, the technique, and the fun we have here!
I met Dan through the Six Blades family when he was visiting Texas for training. My daughter was looking for a new gym to continue training while she attends UofAR.
Diamond state BJJ has been an incredible find for me. After moving to NWA finding a good gym with quality instructor and training partners was such a huge blessing. I've trained for over 15 years at one gym and having moved to a new state and not having a Bjj community was pretty hard to deal with.
New to judo? Start at Diamond State Martial Arts - Fayetteville
Diamond State Martial Arts - Fayetteville comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first judo class at Diamond State Martial Arts - Fayetteville
Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.