UNDERDOG
MARTIAL ARTS
JIU JITSU | KICKBOXING | SELF DEFENSE | FITNESS
Welcome to Underdog Martial Arts out of Asheville, NC – where you’ll learn to fight with control, confidence, and just the right amount of chaos. We train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Self Defense, and MMA, with a focus on real-world effectiveness. No egos, no gimmicks, no culty cults. Just solid technique, tough workouts, and a team that has your back. Curious? Grab a free trial class because nothing says personal growth like getting casually folded by a teenage blue belt.
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Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu
No-Gi Jiu Jitsu at Underdog Martial Arts is what happens when chess, wrestling, and a low-key existential crisis meet on the mats. No pajamas, no belts to grab - just sweat, leverage, and the humbling realization that someone half your size can fold you like a beach chair. It’s fast, technical, and oddly addictive. Whether you’re training for self defense, competition, or just want a socially acceptable reason to aggressively hug strangers, we’ve got you. First class is free. Regret is minimal
Gi Jiu-Jitsu at Underdog Martial Arts is the art of patience, precision, and occasionally getting choked with your own jacket. The uniform (“Gi”) gives you grips, handles, and about a thousand more ways to get tangled up. It’s slower, more technical, and feels a bit like human Rubik’s Cube fighting back. You’ll learn control, defense, and how to strangle and submit opponents using leverage, timing, and a humble dose of audacity.. Whether your goal is self-defense, sport competition, or just learning how to stay calm while someone’s trying to tie you in a knot, this is where it starts..
For those of you unimpressed by our humor, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art (sometimes called “the gentle art”) that focuses on manipulating your partner’s energy to gain dominant position and submissions. It is widely considered one of the best arts to study for self defense, and is a brilliant sport for players of all ages.
Kickboxing
Kickboxing at Underdog Martial Arts pulls from Muay Thai, Dutch kickboxing, Glory and K1 Kickboxing, boxing, and more - because taking the best from everything seems to work pretty well. The fundamentals class covers striking basics: movement, punches, kicks, and how to shell up at the perfect time. Advanced classes connect those dots in sport and self defense scenarios. Classes are highly technical, partner-based, and are known to…accelarate the heart rate. Expect light &controlled contact (we don’t love CTE), thoughtful instruction, and the occasional moment where you genuinely surprise yourself.
As class intensity progresses, we use heavy bags, Thai pads, focus mitts, partner work, controlled sparring drills, and light sparring to build real skill through smart, progressive training.
Women & Femme
Self Defense
Our Women/Femme Self Defense program borrows from the best of jiu jitsu, striking, wrestling, traditional self defense, and more. In this class, students will get instruction on verbal advocacy and deescalation as well as physical defenses. You can expect to learn defenses for various situations, but more importantly, how to fight in general. These classes welcome and cater to beginners. Most importantly - this program is more than a series of classes - its a community of strong women seeking to better themselves and each other through growing stronger together.
Heavy Bag HIIT
Group Fitness Kickboxing
Underdog Heavy Bag HIIT is arguably one of the most brutal and simultaneously exhilarating kickboxing fitness classes in all of Asheville. 45 Minutes of pure terror, Heavy Bag HIIT is an addictingly rewarding combination of kickboxing combinations on the heavy bag and custom-tailored high-intensity interval training. The instructors make up the workouts themselves, no hand-me-downs from corporate. Their goal is to challenge YOU,
The workout happens in three parts:
Long warmup that provides active introduction to the fundamental punches, kicks, and movements in kickboxing (10-12 min)
A TOUGH high intensity interval training workout custom made, each day, by the instructor to cater to the group’s needs (12-16 min)
Four 3-Minute rounds on the heavy bag. (16 minutes including rest time of pure punchy, kicky, ragey glory)
Students will learn proper kickboxing technique from a coach with real competition experience. Our head instructor has over15 years experience in fitness programming and instruction - making for a deadly combo.
The high-intensity interval training portion throws dumbbells, kettlebells, bands, barbells, boxes, sandbags, and anything else we can find into the mix. Beginners, don’t worry—this class is beginner-friendly in the same way a rollercoaster is beginner-friendly: thrilling, a little terrifying, and absolutely worth it.
Bring your gloves, your grit, and a healthy sense of humor. You’ll thank us later.
Kid’s Martial Arts
Brazilian JiuJitsu
and Kickboxing
At Underdog Martial Arts in Asheville, our kids martial arts program gives children the tools they need to succeed on and off the mats. Through our Kid’s BJJ, Kid’s kickboxing, and our high-energy Fun Friday classes, we help young students build confidence, discipline, fitness and real self-defense skills in a safe, structured environment.
Parents love our program because it delivers results. Kids improve focus at school, develop healthier habits, and gain emotional resilience — all while having fun and staying active. Every class blends skill-building with positive coaching, helping kids grow at their own pace.
Kids BJJ strengthens problem-solving and body awareness. Kickboxing for kids builds coordination and athleticism. Fun Fridays bring it all together with teamwork, games, and movement-based play that keeps them excited to show up.
Whether your child is shy, energetic, or brand-new to martial arts, they’ll find a welcoming community here. At Underdog Martial Arts, we don’t just teach punches and takedowns — we help kids become confident, capable, and resilient.
Give your child the gift of growth.
Start their journey today.