Mata Leao Combat Sports
Mata Leao Combat Sports is a boxing gym located in Portland, Oregon. Specializing in MMA & Boxing, Youth Boxing and Self Defense. Rated 4.8 out of 5 by community members.
Specialties
Reviews
First and foremost the gyms community here has set the bar high.The people here silenced any doubts and fears I had with starting at a new gym, which was a first for me in general. Obviously anyone is going to be nervous/ uncomfortable doing something out of their comfort zone, but taking that step forward and committing to Mata Leao has given me a sense of community within the gym. Amongst learning how to choke someone out and learn self defense, which as a woman is an extremely important skill to be learning. The instructors are superb, shout out Brandon and Professor Omar! The classes aren’t over populated which allows a lot of one on one engagement with the instructors for class, not to mention how tentative they are and that goes for everyone who teaches.
Aksana, thank you so much for this — it genuinely means the world to read. That first step through the door is always the hardest one, and I'm so proud of you for taking it. You walked in without any BJJ experience and have been progressing at a rate that honestly turns heads. Watching you blend your wrestling into your jiu-jitsu has been one of the most exciting things to witness on the mat this year. And shoutout to Brandon — love that he got some well-deserved recognition here too! Having you and Jori in the gym is an absolute blast. The intensity you both bring elevates everyone around you. So grateful you're part of this community, and we're just getting started. See you on the mat!
Starting off; this place has the best community I have ever experienced and actually have been apart of. The vibes are always up and support radiates within. Questions get tackled and answered with much depth and passion which really makes me feel like I’m safe to expand my knowledge and work outside of my comfort zone. Professor Omar is extremely dedicated to his students and has proven himself as a great teacher through sheer willingness and commitment. No matter what your background is, Coach Omar is ready to tackle any questions and challenges you have to make you achieve what it is you’re looking for at this gym.
Jori! So glad I finally get to respond to this — better late than never! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. What you described is exactly what we pour our hearts into building here at Mata Leao, so hearing that it's landing means everything. And honestly, I have to say — what you and Aksana bring to this gym is something special. Your energy, your quirky spirit, and that high-intensity wrestling you bring to the mat makes every class better. That's exactly the kind of student this community is built for. It is truly a pleasure having you both here, and training with you is always a blast. Can't wait to see where you go from here!
Really enjoyed my time training here. Coaches are welcoming and willing to answer questions without judgment. No toxic gym culture and felt very inclusive of all people regardless of sex and gender identity. I learned more here in 4 months than I did with 6 months of previous training in Muay Thai. Coach Ryan rocks!
Thank you so much, Eden, for your thoughtful and kind review. It was truly a pleasure having you train with us. You brought such a positive energy to every class and were always open, focused, and coachable, which made it a joy to work with you. We’re grateful you chose to be part of our community, and you’ll absolutely be missed. Wishing you all the best in your continued training, and you’ll always be welcome back here anytime!
Best gym i have ever trained at. I'm an experienced wrestler and the bjj classes are some of the most insightful I have ever taken. Plenty of beginner and experienced adults and kids classes for both self defense and competition. Everyone is very kind and supportive of whoever and wherever you are in life. Definitely will be a long time member.
Max, thank you for the great review. We are super stoked to have you on our team. We love to train and share the mats with people like you. You love grappling, are a solid wrestler, and most important you are a kind have an amazing attitude. We are very much looking forward to growing with you here in the coming future. OSS.
My 6 year old daughter started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Mata Leao one year ago at the age of 5. She loves the physical challenge of the classes and mini sparring sessions. She also enjoys the fun games played in each kids class that also improve her martial arts skills and overall sports agility. As parents we love that Jiu Jitsu is very active so our daughter can get her energy out at the end of the school day. We also like that each class is taught by a high level martial artist with years of experience. The best result for kids is the confidence that Mata Leao martial arts programs build. They have a great focus on de-escalation of conflict wherever the kid may encounter it, on a school playground with a bully or at home with a sibling. Any kid at any age 5 to 18 would benefit from martial arts training at Mata Leao.
Gibran, thank you for the amazing review. One of Professor Omar's greatest passions is teaching kids and watching them grow. Having specially talented kids like your daughter that progress quickly and genuinely seek to get better are the fuel that feed the fire of our kids program. We are super excited to see her evolve into an powerful and technical martial artist as she continues to grow.
Contact Information
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