I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for fourteen years and been to many schools in my travels, but I’ve never visited such a great school!
The place had character and was very clean. The students had outstanding fundamentals, and even the newer students demonstrated sophisticated knowledge of BJJ.
Josh was an excellent instructor and an even better person. He showed tremendous character and demanded the same of his students. After three hours of training, Josh made time to roll with me and extended me every courtesy both on and off the mat. Josh is clearly a legitimate blackbelt with great roots (Serra/Renzo).
I plan on making Madama Jiu-jitsu a regular stop on all of my visits to New Jersey. If you’re looking for high level Jiu-Jitsu from a high character, quality instructor Madama Jiu-Jitsu is the place for you.
Josh thank you again! Hope to see you soon!
Dennis Sugrue
Brown Belt, Tai Kai Jiu-Jitsu, Syracuse NY
Professor Madama welcomed me to train at his school while I visited my parents in Toms River.
Immediately after I stepped onto the mat, one of his students came up, introduced himself and invited me to work some techniques with him before class started. This set the stage for the rest of my training there.
Everyone I met was open and friendly and readily willing to share techniques and tips with me. The students were all very technical and eager to learn, and the rolling was controlled, flowing and fun.
Josh himself taught very effectively, showing each and every detail for the drills, and then walking around and personally making sure we were all getting the movements down properly, and even showing variations on the techniques in some cases.
We did deep half-guard on both nights I trained there; a position which I hadn’t used before. But after just that short time training it, I was able to return to Pittsburgh and use what he taught me a mere week later while rolling in class.
His students are lucky to have such a technical and caring instructor, and he’s lucky to have such engaging, technical and knowledgeable students. I’ll be heading back any chance I get when I’m in the area.
I’ll also never forget the belt-promotion ceremony that took place my second night there. It was one of the craziest and entertaining things I’d ever seen!
Mike Drew
Blue Belt, Pedro Sauer
I was on vacation this weekend near Toms River NJ (LBI) and was looking for a place to train. I had an opportunity to train at Madama Jiu Jitsu.
I can say that the school is top knotch and the environment is friendly and Josh Madama (Serra Black Belt) is a very capable and knowledgeable instructor. I was able to stop by for Friday and Saturday classes.
As soon as I walked in the door I was greeted by Josh and felt right at home. I rolled with as many students as I could on both days that I was there and they are very skilled and also friendly.
At the end of both classes (after open mats and most people had left) I rolled with Josh for at least 30mins. Also he knows Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu extremely well and it showed in his instruction. He was able to answer any and all questions that I had in an easy to understand way. Now I have some good new moves to add to my repertoire.
Next time I visit the area I will definitely come back to Madama Jiu Jitsu. Also he has a very good Muay Thai class which I also took. Not that it matters but I am a purple belt under Mike Wacker/Steve Kardian (Team Balance), so I know a good BJJ school when I see one.
(You can see Mike’s review of the school at Bullshido.net and Sherdog.net.)
Mike Guarneri
Purple Belt, Team Balance, Philadelphia, PA
“Josh, My old school Monkey Brother and loyal Brown Belt. School’s looking good. May my Mad Monkey super powers be with you always.”
Nick “Mad Monkey” Serra
Renzo Gracie Black Belt * IFF Champion, Reality Fighting Champion, Cage Fury Champion
“Josh, You are an exceptional Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and long time training partner. I wish you nothing but the best.”
Det Joe Monahan NYPD
Serra Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
“I have been training in the Martial Arts for 25 years, in order to sharpen my skills and broaden my knowledge, I have trained with Karate, Judo and Jiu Jitsu instructors all over the country. When I met Josh Madama, I saw a truly gifted martial arts instructor who is skilled not only in his abilities on the mat but more importantly as a teacher. The program that Madama BJJ offers is outstanding, I get great training, a terrific workout and I would highly recommend it to anyone, whether you are new to the martial arts or an experienced practitioner looking to build upon your current skill level.”
Master John Holland
4th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate
Member of the Board of Directors: U.S. Black Cat Kenpo Karate Fed.
Owner of All American Karate Academy, Manahawkin , NJ
“I was reluctant to try another martial arts program after feeling like I never progressed and was wasting my time. After meeting Josh and some of his students, 2 years ago, I knew this school was for me. Josh’s dedication to providing a great school with the best students has brought my jiu jitsu to a level I never thought possible. Training with Josh has increased my confidence on the street and increased my capabilities as a police officer. The training at MJJ is the most realistic there is, every training session I am pushed to a higher level of physical fitness. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere at MJJ makes coming to class more like hanging out with friends.”
Sean R.
New Jersey State Trooper
Madama/Serra Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt
“Josh, Thanks for working your a– off and putting so much effort into our school. My teammates and i are the luckiest guys on the planet.”
Matt Galiano
Electrician
Madama/Serra Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt
“I’d like to comment most about Josh’s dedication to Brazilian Jiujitsu. In his early training years he positioned himself to learn from the bet teachers available and he is still continuing to perfect his art. Josh is a tactician. He has studied, in depth, the dynamics and applications of Brazilian Jiujitsu. I recognize in him the intrinsic qualities of a great instructor who is commited to the success of his students and to perpetuating the art.”
Sijo Khadi “The Iron Butterfly” Madama
Founder of Fa Shen Training Arts
3 Hall of Fame Awards, Black Belt Second Degree in Shao Lin Long Fist & Ba Gua Zhang
“Being fortunate enough to have trained at a few different schools I can honestly say that the atmosphere and instruction here at Madama Jiu-Jitsu is second to none. The very minute I walked into Madama Jiu-Jitsu I was welcomed by everyone in the class; never once feeling that “new guy” feeling like I did starting at other schools. Since starting at Madama Jiu-Jitsu almost a year ago I have earned my blue belt, got into great shape and met a bunch of new friends. I work behind a desk all day as a draftsman so I can attest to the need of exercise in my life, and what better way to exercise than doing it with a purpose and having a great time while you’re at it! I want to thank Instructor Josh, Instructor Mike and everyone else at Madama Jiu-Jitsu for helping me succeed and welcoming me into the Madama Jiu-Jitsu family.”
Dean Hetzel
Madama/Serra Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt
“Once I began training at Madama Jiu Jitsu, my game went up tenfold. Training with the gi made me so much more technical in both gi and no-gi grappling.”
Matt Davis
Rutgers University BJJ CO-President
“Between being on the road a lot and working in a high pressure telecommunications company, I noticed my stress level on the rise. After joining madama jiu jitsu, where not only is the instruction top notch and the workout great, I am fealing more relaxed while dealing with my day to day activities at work.”
Tom Brunner
Network Engineer
“I have trained at a lot of places and i have never learned so much, and been as confident in my grappling skills.”
Garrett Joest
Philosopher
