Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts Reviews

Juan Ramos 2026.04.02

     

Coming for appointments to Seattle Children's hospital from Eastern WA for some time now, I stumbled at the coffee shop that is attached to the gym, I signed up for a free jiu jitsu class. Training is intense, lots of knowledge, patience at teaching, many techniques and a good work out. Those teammates will make you sweat, if you are trying to challenge and better your self this is the place to go. Thank you Andrew.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Hello Juan! Thank you for coming in to train. It was great working with you and hope to see you back on the mats again when you are in town.

Thank you,

Andrew

Gideon Swancey 2026.04.01

     

This place is amazing. I went in with little to no experience and was very quickly able to jump into the classes and make noticeable progress. The instructors are all great, extremely knowledgeable and provide actionable constructive feedback. I recommend this place to literally everyone.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Hello Gideon! Thank you for the kind review and great training with you!

Dario Richards 2026.03.31

     

As someone who has been around specifically boxing for a couple of years, I can say that the level of coaching is great and the classes are very fun and well structured. And also as someone who is new to MMA, I can also say that the coaches are extremely patient and thorough and will make sure that you get the best experience you can receive no matter your level of experience. I would recommend this gym to anyone.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Thank you for the kind review Dario and great working with you!

Jen Bohn 2026.03.26

     

I was just in for a bjj drop in and Andrew was really welcoming / checked in throughout the class! Shout out to Hallie, Steph & May for being patient drilling partners haha :) would definitely recommend stopping by for a class!!

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the training! Thank you for stopping in and hope to see you back on the mats when you are in town next. Thank you for your kind review, much appreciated!

Thank you,

Andrew

adam f 2026.03.26

     

Visited from las vegas and the gym owner was so friendly and hospitable. Great instruction from the Coach, very patient and technical class. Finished up with some good training and everyone was working hard but taking care of each other. Great overall vibe of the gym 10/10

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Thank you for the kind words and hope to see you back on the mats when you are in town again!

BB Reborn 2026.02.26

     

Had a great time travelling and had great hospitality by the coaches and staff

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Great training with you! Thanks for coming by!

Ruben Homavand 2026.02.23

     

The owner of this gym Andrew was very nice upon first interaction. Allowed my training partner and I to train during the open mat hours at late notice. Facility is clean with superior heavy bags and equipment. Will return for sure!

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Thank you for the kind words Ruben, much appreciated!

Lucas D'Couto 2026.02.23

     

Coach Andrew is a genuine and down to earth guy, very good at teaching. Members that I met during my free trial were all nice. Mat space is great and the open mat times are great times to train.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Thank you for the kind words Lucas, much appreciated!

Erick Lines 2026.02.18

     

Our first visit was this past Sunday during “open mat”. It was exactly what we had hoped for prior to my son’s state wrestling tournament. Wish I had found this place four years ago. A perfect space for additional or “off season” training.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Thank you for the kind words Erick, much appreciated!

Travis Wright 2026.02.13

     

Great first time experience, everyone was respectful had a great workout

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts

Thank you for training with us Travis!

Jonah Ochoa 2026.01.25

     

I trained here for about 5 months before moving to Portland and my game grew immensely. Andrew teaches material and structures his teaching in a way that will help you improve. He will do camps for competing students and focus on one aspect of Jiu-Jitsu for long enough so that you don't feel like every class is random. I personally gained allot from the wrestling classes. Most gyms don't teach enough wrestling and there instructor is very knowledgeable. The classes are always large allowing for an amazing sample size allowing you to work with all different types of people. The classes are intense but allow you to pace yourself if needed. The striking classes are excellent and designed for everyone. The gym has advanced strikers and day one striker as well. Overall, Mat Chess is for everyone and you will improve attending this gym.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2026.01.25

Great training with you Jonah and thank you for the kind review, much appreciated!

Armando Islas 2026.01.17

     

Great training great people great pace

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2026.01.25

Thank you Armando! Great working with you!

Alan Lnu 2026.01.17

     

We have been coming here for 6 years. We really appreciate the care and attention from Master Kenji; and our oldest has developed so many skills, and character. Our youngest has started here and is enjoying it.

Useful (1) Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2026.01.25

Thank you Alan!

Theo Krah 2026.01.14

     

This is the gym. ‘Men are mostly the same…and he is best who has had training in the severest school.’ -Thucydides Andrew is that man. His lifetime dedication to the craft of jiu jitsu is evident in his humility, genuine care, and desire to train others. I can not recommend higher that you embrace the learning journey by stepping onto the mats with this master of the craft. Wrestling is parallel to life… step into the next level with some training at this gym. Very Respectfully.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2026.01.14

Thank you for your very kind words Theo, much appreciated. Great training with you!

Gabe Berger 2025.12.30

     

Very good room, great coaches and staff, all around great place to train and work hard!

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2026.01.14

Thank you for the kind review Gabe, much appreciated!

Sleepy Racoon 2025.12.16

     

Fantastic place, I would highly recommend.

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2025.12.16

Glad you enjoy the training and thank you for the kind review, much appreciated!

Norman Huang 2025.12.10

     

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2025.12.10

Thank you for the review and great training with you Norman!

Sam Nasralla 2025.12.05

     

This is hands-down, the best gym in Seattle and I've been to quite a few MMA gyms in the city. Andrew is the owner of the gym and and jujitsu wizard. He's the most caring, genuine and lovely human that you'd come across. He runs a very tight knit gym that has a family like feel and welcomes all regardless of your skill level I walked in a novice and have excelled tremendously and felt very comfortable the day I stepped foot in there. Shaun and Roy do boxing and Muay thai and they are amazing teachers and are incredibly helpful and helping you improve your overall game and even better people. They care about each student and are excellent teachers in ever sense I am a lifelong member of this gym hands-down I can't speak highly enough if you're thinking about getting into martial arts or wanting to start and nervous about it, you need to come to this gym because I guarantee it will change your life just like it has changed mine. It has been the most productive outlet for me, especially in the cold Seattle greater months. I love all the members and everyone I come across in the gym. I can't speak highly enough about this gym if you're hesitant about it, just make the decision to show up to one class and you'll see why it's a world class and one of a kind. The membership is worth every penny and honestly should be more expensive for what you get, easy five out of five review couldn't speak more highly of it. Take time to make your way into the gym and I guarantee you won't regret it. It will change your life like it has changed mine

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2025.12.05

Thank you for taking the time to write your warm and thoughtful review. Love having you on the mats Sam!

Thank you,

Andrew

Cameron Padilla 2025.11.10

     

Visited the Sunday open mat while in town on business. Awesome place and very welcoming!

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2025.11.10

Thanks for coming to train Cameron!

Mathias Ham 2025.10.26

     

Dropped in while visiting from out of state. Great gym, everything was nice and clean and everyone was very welcoming

Useful Report

Reply from Mat Chess Mixed Martial Arts 2025.10.26

Thank you for training with us, much appreciated!