About Clayton Phillips Jiu Jitsu Clayton’s gym, start to finish
Clayton Phillips, about 20 years in jiu jitsu, teaching in Ghent since 2019.
Book a free class
Why his name is on the door
Clayton started training about 20 years ago, and for the first six months he trained every single day. Around 2016 he decided he was done with the car business and went full time on jiu jitsu. In March 2019 he opened this gym on 21st Street. He’s also head coach of the ODU jiu jitsu club.
CPJJ isn’t affiliated with anyone. No franchise, no headquarters, no flag he has to fly for people he’s never met. If a class goes well or badly, it’s on him, and he prefers it that way.
He’ll tell you to try other gyms, too. He means it.
The gym is ten minutes off the highway, so most members live close by: Ghent, Downtown Norfolk, Larchmont, Colonial Place, Ocean View and East Beach. A good number come over from ODU and EVMS, too.
Serious casuals
Clayton’s phrase for the room. Plenty of members train for fun, and they’re still good, because the bar here is high.
Fundamentals first, every class
Each class starts with a basic and ends on the advanced version of it, so nothing comes out of nowhere.
Safe beats tough
No beginner-on-beginner sparring and no stand-up until you can fall. Getting hurt doesn’t make anybody better.
Discipline comes from within
Nobody here is going to scream at you to care. The people who stick around build it themselves, kids included.
Gym lore
We were once pink
The old brand had a flamingo and a lot of hot pink. The flamingo retired, the butt scooter stayed, and the pink lives on in this one square.
The team travels. You can stay home.
Kids and adults compete at NAGA, Grappling Industries, Newbreed and the UFC BJJ Opens in Vegas. Come along, cheer, or skip it entirely.
UFC BJJ Opens · Las Vegas, 3rd of 23 · UFC BJJ Opens, NAGA, Newbreed Jiu Jitsu Federation, Grappling Industries, Toro Cup
