What began as a shared frustration between two training partners on the mat has evolved into a powerful platform that’s transforming how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies run their operations. MAAT, an all-in-one gym management software built specifically for BJJ and combat sports, wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was built on sweat, community, and the need for structure.
A Shared Problem, A Shared Vision
Brando, a BJJ black belt, and Stefano, then a blue belt, trained together under the same coach. They regularly encountered the same problems many martial arts gym owners face: clunky spreadsheets for attendance, late or missed payments, disconnected tools, and generic software that didn’t understand martial arts workflows.
”We saw people using spreadsheets and losing their minds collecting payments. Big chance for us to help the industry become more professional,” says Brando.
Instead of accepting the chaos, they built a solution: MAAT. A tool by and for the BJJ community that, unlike bloated systems made for general fitness clubs, delivers what combat sports gyms actually need.
“Gym owners are frustrated because today they’re using software from the early 2000s, buttons everywhere, but going nowhere,” Brando adds.
From Struggle to Scale: The Early Days
In the beginning, Brando and Stefano had to earn trust. Convincing gym owners to leave familiar (yet broken) systems wasn’t easy.
“The challenge at the beginning was finding those gym owners that were willing to be part of the project… and they are still with us today,” Brando shares.
Those early adopters helped shape MAAT. Feedback loops were tight. Features like attendance analytics, payment collection, and belt progressions evolved directly from real-world needs on the mat.
Solving a Widespread Professionalism Problem
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms often operate without a structured system: payment tracking is inconsistent, staff are overwhelmed and students feel the disorganization. MAAT addresses these pain points head-on with:
– Automated recurring payments
Missed payments are common in gyms using outdated methods. MAAT supports various payment types, including credit and debit cards, direct debit, and digital wallets like Apple Pay. This flexibility ensures timely payments while reducing admin overhead and improving cash flow.
– Graduation and stripe eligibility tracking
Instead of manual notes and guesswork, MAAT lets coaches see who’s ready for promotions at a glance. This reinforces student motivation and ensures fair, consistent advancement.
“To be able to mark attendance, to be able to record stripes, to be able to know where your team are, see their progression, all in the app is an amazing functionality.” says Dave from Sakura Grappling.
Read more about why Sakura Grappling, a UK-based BJJ gym, switched to MAAT here.
– Student self-booking via App
BJJ students often juggle busy schedules. Letting them book classes, view schedules, and track progress via a mobile app reduces front desk pressure and improves retention. Unlike generic apps, MAAT’s interface speaks the language of martial arts.
– Attendance and belt tracking
Rank progression is central to BJJ culture. MAAT supports both adult and kids’ belt and stripe systems, allowing academies to manage promotions with clarity. The graduation system isattendance-based, which is especially helpful for kids’ programs. Coaches get notified when students are eligible for their next stripe or belt, ensuring no one is overlooked. This automation keeps parents engaged and simplifies the decision-making process for instructors. Generic gym software lacks these discipline-specific tools.
– Leaderboards and ranking gamification
Motivation matters. MAAT’s leaderboards turn training into a friendly competition, increasing class attendance and student engagement, a feature rarely found in other systems.
“Students are now training more than they were before starting using MAAT.” says Otto from Willi Jiu Jitsu.
Read Otto’s story and why he loves MAAT here.
– WhatsApp onboarding and support
Coaches don’t have time for complicated email chains. MAAT’s WhatsApp-based support ensures setup, migration, and daily queries are handled quickly, by people who understand martial arts gyms.
“You’re not dealing with some big faceless corporation… I’m literally on WhatsApp with the founders, getting tailored support.” says Andrew from The Fighting Arts Academy.
Read why they switched to MAAT from their old software here.
– Built-in waivers and document handling
Managing liability and parental consent is a must, especially in kids’ programs. MAAT includes built-in digital waivers that students and parents can sign online. This saves time, ensures compliance, and centralizes document management in one place.
A Growing Ecosystem
Today, MAAT continues to scale. Dozens of new academies join every month. From small BJJ gyms to large competitive academies, MAAT adapts to fit each.
“We are now working with 50, 60 new academies every month. When I get to visit them and train with them, it’s the most amazing thing,” says Brando.
Students don’t just use MAAT, they love it.
“Coaches send us messages saying, ‘Guys, this app is f***ing great. Our students love it. They’re competing for the rankings, it’s insane.‘“
What started as a tool has become the backbone of an entire combat sports ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
MAAT isn’t stopping at gym management. The team’s vision is to become the global platform for combat sports, handling everything from training to events, competition tracking, and athlete communities.
“MAAT will become the place where everyone that wants to live the combat sport life can do it, from training to events, on the same platform.”
Final Thoughts
If you’re a gym owner tired of outdated systems, or worse, still managing your gym by hand, MAAT offers a powerful new beginning. With a team that understands your world and features designed around your academy’s needs, the transformation is immediate.
Book a free demo here today and see why more BJJ academies are switching to MAAT.
