The first MMA gym in South Florida, at the same address since 2001
Since October 2001, Freestyle Fighting Academy has been teaching mixed martial arts in South Florida. Whether you are looking to learn self-defense, get in better shape, have fun, or even become a fighter — we have a program for you.
Start my 30-Day Free TrialOr call 305-225-4610
The free lesson and the 30 days are for South Florida residents, at our Miami location.
Who founded the gym?
FFA was founded by brothers Marcos and David Avellan. Both have trained in the martial arts since 1996 and have competed all across the world in various combat disciplines.
Marcos was the 2004 ADCC US Trials champion, competed at the 2005 ADCC World Championships, and has won many national grappling tournaments. He is also undefeated as a professional MMA fighter, and coach to undefeated TitanFC Champion Jason “the Specimen” Soares.
David has a decorated career in submission grappling, winning a bronze medal in the prestigious ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships. His biggest contribution to the MMA world was creating the world-famous Kimura Trap System, a submission system used all over the MMA and BJJ world.
Together, the Avellan brothers have helped coach many MMA stars, such as Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal, Kimbo Slice, Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis, Michael Chandler, Brandon Vera, Tom Lawlor and many more.
The third owner is Rima Avellan, who competed at the 2005 ADCC World Championships and founded our Women Only Fitness Bootcamp in 2006. She still runs it. Meet the rest of the coaching staff.
FFA timeline
- 1996
Marcos and David Avellan begin training Jeet Kune Do, the martial art developed by Bruce Lee.
- 1997
The Avellan brothers join the Killian High School wrestling team under Tirso Valls.
- 1998
Marcos Avellan graduates high school and starts training in No Holds Barred (NHB), the predecessor to Mixed Martial Arts.
- 1999
David Avellan joins his brother in NHB training.
- 2000
Marcos Avellan starts the Avellan Grappling club.
- 2001
The Avellan brothers open the Freestyle Fighting Academy.
- 2003
David Avellan defeats Rener Gracie of the Gracie family at the Ultimate Submission Showdown.
- 2005
FFA sends its first home-grown fighter, Charles McCarthy, into the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- 2005
FFA sends three competitors to the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships: Marcos Avellan, David Avellan and Rima Avellan.
- 2006
FFA adds the Women Only Fitness Bootcamp to its programs, with Rima Avellan as program director.
- 2006
FFA sends another home-grown fighter into BodogFIGHT, Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal.
- 2007
FFA creates FFAcoach.com, an online video portal for MMA instruction.
- 2009
Head instructor David Avellan wins a bronze medal at the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships.
- 2011
FFA fighter Jason “the Specimen” Soares wins the FILA 65 kg Grappling World Championships.
- 2012
David Avellan releases the Kimura Trap System course.
- 2013
Marcos Avellan releases Black Belt Psychology, a guide to developing mental skills for combat.
- 2014
Marcos Avellan opens the Miami Shooters Club at the same address — a separate business teaching firearms training and safety, not one of FFA’s classes.
- 2018
FFA gets its first TitanFC Champion, Jason “the Specimen” Soares.
What does our famous 30 day free trial include?
A free private lesson
Once you join our 30 day free trial we will schedule you for a free private lesson with one of our instructors. This lesson gets you oriented with the basics so you are ready to join the group classes: the jab, the cross, the hook, the roundhouse kick, the closed guard, the rear naked choke and the armbar.
A free uniform
Having a uniform is part of the martial arts experience, and we don’t want to throw you into class without looking the part. So we give you a uniform on the house. You keep it whether or not you decide to join after the 30 days.
Access to online coaching
There is a lot to learn in mixed martial arts, and you might feel overwhelmed and forget what you learned in class. That is normal. So we give you our online coaching portal, FFAcoach.com, free when you enrol. You learn from the curriculum we have developed since 2001 — the one that helped produce UFC star Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal and TitanFC champion Jason “the Specimen” Soares.
30 days of group classes
Once you have done your private lesson you join the group classes and become part of the team. Classes are 1 hour long and take in warm-ups, stretching, technique instruction and practice — and they are a fantastic workout. You are also welcome at the open mat sessions that run every day, for extra mat time. All of it, for a full 30 days, free.
For South Florida residents, at our Miami location. What it costs afterwards is discussed in person, and only if you want to carry on. We don’t publish class times online — we will go through the timetable with you on your visit.
Where is the gym?
1423 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33174 — Across the street from FIU, in the Publix Shopping Center. We have been in this unit since October 2001. Parking is free in the lot outside. The facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and staffed.
About 95% of the people training here are ordinary students rather than competitors, and every program runs a beginner section alongside an advanced one — adults with no experience at all start in the Intro Program, and children start from age 2.
See every class and age group · Meet the instructors · How self-defense training works here · Directions and parking
Also at this address: Miami Shooters Club — gun training for everyday people, run by our co-owner Marcos Avellan. A separate business at this address, not one of our classes.
Frequently asked questions
- When did Freestyle Fighting Academy open?
- Freestyle Fighting Academy opened in October 2001 and was the first MMA gym to open in South Florida. It has been at 1423 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33174 ever since — the same address, across from FIU in the Publix Shopping Center.
- Who founded it?
- Brothers Marcos and David Avellan, who have both trained in martial arts since 1996 and have competed around the world. Marcos was the 2004 ADCC US Trials champion, competed at the 2005 ADCC World Championships, and coaches TitanFC champion Jason Soares. David won a bronze medal at the 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships and created the Kimura Trap System. Rima Avellan is the third owner and founded the Women Only Fitness Bootcamp.
- What does the 30 day free trial include?
- A free private lesson with an instructor, a uniform to keep whether or not you join, free access to the FFAcoach.com online coaching portal, and 30 days of group classes plus the open mat sessions that run every day. What it costs afterwards is discussed in person, and only if you want to carry on.
- Do I need any experience to start?
- No. About 95% of the people who train at Freestyle Fighting Academy are ordinary students rather than competitors, and every program runs a beginner section as well as an advanced one. Adults with no experience start in the Intro Program.
- Where is the gym, and when is it open?
- 1423 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33174, across the street from FIU in the Publix Shopping Center, with free parking outside. The facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and staffed. Class times are not published online — we go through the timetable with you when you visit.
- Is the shooting range part of the gym?
- No. Miami Shooters Club is a separate business run by FFA co-owner Marcos Avellan at the same address. Firearms training is not one of the martial arts classes and is not included in the free trial.
Start your 30-Day Free Trial
So what are you waiting for? You can start your mixed martial arts training at FFA today. Leave your details and we will call you within 24 hours to book the free private lesson and show you around.
Here is everything you get, at no charge:
- Train mixed martial arts for 30 days
- Get a FREE uniform
- Get a FREE private lesson
- Get instant access to FREE MMA and self-defense instructional videos
In your private lesson you learn the basics: the jab, the cross, the hook, the roundhouse kick, the closed guard, the rear naked choke and the armbar.
And if you join, you have our 60-day money-back guarantee: attend all of your classes in the first 60 days, and if you are unsatisfied, get your money back.
Call or text 305-225-4610. The gym is staffed 24 hours a day, so someone picks up. Prefer not to talk on the phone? Text us and we reply within 24 hours.
For South Florida residents, at our Miami location. The offer stays open for one month from the date we send it. Bring a spouse or your children along if you would like them to take part.