Build Confidence Competence and Body Awareness To Help You Better Enjoy The Life You Want To Live

Ready To Level Up Or Just Starting?

I Coach James Sharkey, am dedicated to helping passionate students, teachers, and weary beginners in achieving their ideal fitness goal or win their next big fight! 

Simply Looking for a Clean Family Friendly Environment to Train?

Well then look no further because Verde Valley Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai is northern Arizona's premier training facility! Follow the link below for more information and schedule your first class at VVBJJ!

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Custimized Fitness Plans To Meet and Exceed your Goals

Whether you're trying to get to the next level or simply get to a healthier weight to improve your quality of life we can customize and create a systematic roadmap to achieve our goals!

Fitness Trainer

High level 1 on 1 Self-Defense and Striking Training

Whether you just want to feel safer at the grocery store or have dreams of stepping on the biggest combat stages in the world we can custom tune our systematic approach to striking and jiu jitsu to achieve anything you set your mind to.

Based out of Verde Valley BJJ&MT Northern Arizona's Premiere Training Facility

Train with us regardless of your age or level of experience. We invite both beginners and advanced players.

Verde Valley is a place for everyone who appreciates the emphasis on learning the correct technique. In our club you will be comprehensively prepared and we will show you how to apply the experience gained.

If you are interested in learning in a safe and clean environment, please contact us.

Train under high level instructors

Learn to fight like a pro

When you’re training, choosing the right trainer is crucial. All our pupils can count on the support and advice of the professional trainers Verde Valley BJJ&MT.

Our goal is to prepare you for a real fight. We will prepare you for every fighting challenge.

Develop your Mind as well as your Body

Striking and Brazilin Jiu Jitsu are more than just physical activities

We focus not only on the development of physical fitness but also body awareness and mental acuity. Thanks to training, you will improve your self-confidence, resistance to stress and mental endurance.

For many of our clients, training is a way to develop not only physically, but also personally. Whatever your goals, you can count on our support.

All Inclusive training enviroment

My Focus is...

Consistency and scalability. Helping people of all fitness levels thrive. Whether you are a complete beginner that’s somewhat interested or a seasoned athlete we can figure out a roadmap to help achieve your goals. 

 

Sustainable Fitness Strategies

  • Consistency: We focus on your mechanics first, helping you build a foundation of movement that can keep your body free from injury. We work hard to make sure you have mastered every aspect of quality movement before challenging you with increased weight and intensity. Whether you’re warming up or fighting for a PR, your mechanics should stay the same.
  • Scalability: We know that no two people train the same. And we know that no two bodies take the same path to success. That’s why we’re here to tailor each and every movement to match your unique skill set. In our system, elite athletes train alongside complete beginners and we have each other’s backs through every step of the process.

1-on-1 Striking or Self-Defense

Get the fastest progress and full attention

Regardless of your level of proficiency, individual lessons are a great start.

The biggest advantage of individual lessons is the full focus on you. I can advise you in real time and correct mistakes in your technique before you develop bad habits. This allows for the fastest possible progress in learning.

If you are interested in quick progress, we suggest signing up for individual lessons. Just one lesson a week will make you see a big progress in your striking and self-defense skills.

Over 15 Years of Competition Experience

A little about me...

With over 15 years of experience in wrestling, jiu jitsu, and striking I have amassed a record of 11-2 in my combat journey. Since high school I have had the desire to become a combat sports world champion. Even though that hasn’t happened along the way I have had the chance to do some amazing and wonderful things. Some of those included meeting and training under people such as Travis Coyle, James Gilbertson, Deven Fisher, Pat Barry, Vellore Caballero, Clay Wimer and several other legends in the sport. Thru all that experience I love sharing the journey that martial arts brings and more importantly the self-improvement. Hopefully we can share this journey together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below I have prepared detailed answers to the questions we hear from you most often. If you have a question, please check if you will not find the answer below. If you do not find the answer to your question, write to us. Just use the contact form at the bottom of the page.

No! All people of any fitness level looking to train are welcome. I encourage everyone to go at their own pace and I will be glad to help in any way possible, we have many options for all exercises or techniques.

You can start learning  with me even if you have zero experience with this sport. I will take care of you and show you how to start training in a safe way. Many of our pupils have made great progress in a short time.

A lot depends on your previous experience and other individual factors, but I will do everything to ensure that you develop as quickly as possible (in a safe way).

I recommend 1v1 training with a dedicated trainer to speed up your progress as much as possible.

If you have a specific goal, let me know. I will be happy to advise you on what type of training will best suit your needs. Contact us via the form below.

The choice depends on several factors: your personal preferences, sports goals and budget. If you want to achieve the best results, consider individual classes, but if your main goal is simply to improve your fitness and learn the basics, group classes will be a good choice.

 

It is recommended to bring your own gloves but I do have clean gloves you can borrow. We also have a full lineup of equipment at the Verde Valley BJJ&MT Pro Shop.

When it comes to outfit, dress as if you were dressing for a regular gym. The main thing is that you feel comfortable. 

Fill out the form below with any quuestions you might have and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

Based on 34 reviews
Starfox9
Starfox9
2023-03-29
Clay is absolutely amazing. Great team, great staff, great people to train with. Clay has really brought light to the place.
Genevieve Barnes
Genevieve Barnes
2023-03-08
Friendly and welcoming to new comers! All levels of ability! My husband visited while we were passing through and he had a great roll. Weekday open mat (no gi) was surprisingly well attended!
Jessica Butler
Jessica Butler
2023-02-18
The most welcoming environment I've experienced anywhere, with the most phenomenal, world-class instructors. If you've ever wanted to try BJJ but felt it was too intimidating, this is your place! The curriculum for beginners, and all of the people here, are so incredibly supportive.
Brandon Wright
Brandon Wright
2023-02-16
I couldn't be happier that this place is in the Verde Valley. Everybody is very helpful, knowledgeable, and kind.
Braedon Wright
Braedon Wright
2023-02-16
Amazing staff. Awesome training opportunities for all ages.
Greg O
Greg O
2023-02-15
Fantastic school. I've been learning Jiu Jitsu for about 2 years now (on and off at different schools). This is my favorite school. Clay the instructor is amazing at showing the techniques and explaining the purpose of each detail. Now they have another instructor for the next few months. This guy is so many levels beyond everyone else... He was explaining some basic, beginner move to a packed room and his technique was so refined, went into such detail, that he made the black belts gasp with realizations. There are folks from all walks of life here and everyone is very welcoming. Plus now I get to tell people Maynard from Tool threatened to knock me out if I got too rowdy for him. haha.
Bronwyn Bosman
Bronwyn Bosman
2023-02-14
Definitely my favorite martial arts school I have gone to. The instructors are all very thorough in their teaching, and make you feel very comfortable which is great, especially if you are new to BJJ and martial arts in general. 10/10 recommend to anyone no matter skill level!
Beacon Colorado
Beacon Colorado
2023-02-14
Love this new location. It's very roomy, great lighting, clean, bigger locker rooms, ton of bags in the Kickboxing/Muay Thai side and the perfect spot in town. From beginner to advanced classes. The overall vibe at this place is just amazing. The fact that they are so concerned about teaching you from the ground up including how to do things safely really means a lot. I didn't feel out of place coming into such a great facility as a newby, everyone is treated like equals. The instructors and staff are all amazing and very skilled. Can't say enough about it.
Dustin Struckman
Dustin Struckman
2023-02-12
Incredibly welcoming and inclusive environmen: cool, fun and friendly staff; beautiful, clean facility. Highly recommended. I came down from Seattle for a seminar, and if I lived here I'd be at this school all the time!
Juanita Bosman
Juanita Bosman
2022-12-01
My 2 girls(17 & 19 years old) and I all enjoy taking classes at this studio! Since day 1 we have been very impressed by the quality of instruction and the welcoming environment. As a female coming into a bjj studio for the first time I was pleasantly suprised! I was just coming in to sign up my girls and joined with them. The studio also has an awesome women's self defence class! I am so excited we have a place where we can learn new skills together and have fun!

How I can help you...

Building Address
Verde Valley Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai
1100 AZ-260 Suite 15, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phone Number

7205378214