2026-10-20T14:06:57.199Z

I’m 14 years old and have been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since I was 8. As a competitor, I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the country and internationally, training at dozens of different BJJ gyms along the way.Out of all the places I’ve trained, I haven’t found anyone who matches Grandmaster Ricardo Murgel’s level of experience, knowledge, and attention to detail.Grandmaster sees the little things that most people miss, and those small adjustments can make a huge difference, especially in competition. He doesn’t just teach you moves. He helps you understand why they work and how to make them better.Whether you’re just starting out or you’re serious about competing, Union Team BJJ is an incredible place to train. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to learn from someone with his level of experience. I would recommend Union Team BJJ to anyone who wants to get better at jiu-jitsu.

2026-10-19T20:50:23.758Z

This past Saturday, Grandmaster Ricardo Murgel hosted our annual Jiujitsu Clinic at his Union affiliate in St Louis, MO. Over the last 17 years I have only missed his seminar one time. He truly inspires me every time as he excels at teaching current techniques and evolving jiujitsu moves. Many times he is ahead of the rest of the Jiujitsu community. Even if after three hours I take away two or three moves to add to my game - it is certainly time well invested in my Jiujitsu Journey. I have followed him from White Belt to my current Black Belt ranking. I am 64 years young and solidly practicing Jiujitsu , in many ways thanks to the leadership of Grandmaster Murgel!MJ

2026-10-18T20:54:15.463Z

I am a blackbelt at Grandmaster Murgel's St. Louis affiliate, Absolute Martial Arts. I have trained with GM Murgel since 2009 at our annual seminars, from whitebelt to blackbelt. Everytime I train with him, I cannot believe the depth and breadth of his knowledge. As I said, I am a blackbelt, and he is still giving me little nuances of techniques, that I use daily, that make each better, tighter, and more effective. He has an amazing ability to break down techniques for all levels. He can teach a class of blackbelts to whitebelts and make sure everyone walks away having learned something. He was demonstrating with my 21yr old, 6'5" , 210lb, purplebelt son yesterday, who afterwards said "Dad, he does not feel like 140lbs. He feels like 200lbs." It is an honor to be under the Union banner, and GM Murgel is an amazing instructor.

2026-04-16T16:25:57.733Z

a Great gym with a professor that has more knowledge in his pinky then most black belts have in their entire body. Grand Master is not only the highest level you can get, he is a great teach, a super nice guy and amazing with the kids. We have attended several of their Warrior Forges and we live 3+ hours away. If you are in the area or just looking for a great place to visit, check these folks out and tell them The Gorilla Grappler sent you ;)

2026-03-24T02:49:36.776Z

If you’re looking for more than just a place for your kid to “burn energy,” this is it.This isn’t just a jiu-jitsu gym—it’s a team and a family. The culture here is built around accountability, growth, and pushing each other to improve every single day.Grandmaster Murgel sets the tone. He’s as high-level as it gets, but what really stands out is how much he focuses on the details. He doesn’t let things slide, and that’s exactly why the kids develop the way they do.The level of competition in this room is unmatched. Iron sharpens iron here—everyone is working to make each other better, and it shows. You can feel the difference the moment you walk in.And this is not a daycare like some other gyms. Kids are expected to listen, apply what they’re taught, and push themselves. It’s structured, it’s disciplined, and it produces real results.If you want your child to grow—not just in jiu-jitsu, but in discipline, confidence, and toughness—this is the place.

2025-10-06T17:08:05.206Z

We visited Union Team BJJ’s Warriors Forge class this weekend and had an amazing experience. From the moment we walked in, the coaches and students were welcoming, professional, and clearly passionate about jiu-jitsu. The instruction was top-notch—clear details, lots of drilling, and a perfect balance of discipline and fun. The environment felt very safe and supportive, especially for kids. My daughter loved it and left more confident, smiling ear to ear. The facility was clean, organized, and well run, and the class structure made it easy for newcomers to jump in without feeling lost. Even though we live about 1.5 hours away, this was absolutely worth the drive. If you’re looking for high-level coaching, a family-friendly culture, and a place that builds both skill and character, Union Team BJJ is it. We can’t wait to come back for more classes and private lessons. Highly recommend!

2025-10-04T17:44:48.890Z

A great gym with a world class instructor, great people, a winners atmosphere and place to learn bjj or improve your game. I could not recommend this place enough. We traveled 3hrs to train here and will be back as much as possible.

2025-06-02T21:41:03.571Z

Highly educated and caring professionals. A lifelong education!