Gonzales jiu-Jitsu
Competition, Family, Community
Welcome To
Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu
Welcome to Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu in Rio Rancho, New Mexico! Founder Abie Gonzales has built a family-friendly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym of winners and confidence building. Jiu-Jitsu classes are heavily technique-oriented. Whether you enter the gym for competitive BJJ, situationally based self-defense, first responder training, or family bonding, you are taught the best technique possible. Even with technical precision, the mental side is just as important – even for the gym’s world champions. Every student continuously builds confidence, discipline, and anti-bullying skills to become better competitors and people. The whole Albuquerque community is welcomed, including our city workers (Fight Fighters, Police, etc.) who use One Pass as we are already the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym listed on the City Government insurance plan. Join Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu where everyone grows and competes together as a team!
Free trial class!
Start your BJJ journey off with a free class on us!
About This School
About Our School
Everyone at Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu is held to a high standard. Beginning with the staff, all instructors are IBJJF certified with a focus on building winners. Even with winning as the goal, coaches can’t just be BJJ technically savvy. Coaches build personal connections with students to make each student’s training experience personalized and special. You can even contact your child’s instructor and discuss anything they need to know to improve their martial arts experience. Everything is designed for students to reach their full potential. They are encouraged to always ask questions and seek out their goals. Students are helped with any concerns: from Jiu-Jitsu technique, bully-prevention, etc. Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu wants everyone with us to become winners on and off the mat!
Our History
Owners Abie and Laura Gonzales’ path to running their own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym started long ago. They began their Jiu-Jitsu journeys soon after meeting in the military in 2011. Abie had already competed as an amateur MMA fighter, but Laura had yet to start martial arts. Laura became Level II Combatives certified while Abie quickly improved in BJJ, winning two world titles. After some time training at other gyms, the couple opened Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu in 2024. They have since fully devoted themselves to Jiu-Jitsu, specifically with their three sons training. Their greatest passion goes to the kids’ program, constantly teaching bully-prevention. The two hope to make a name for New Mexico in BJJ while building a community of winning and togetherness.
Check Out Our Schedule!
Take a look at our schedule and find the right time to add Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu into your week!
Meet the
Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu Team
We have a high standard for all our instructors who teach with us. Each coach who steps on our mats is IBJJF certified to teach Jiu-Jitsu in Rio Ranch. Everyone is focused on helping the community, each with different strengths to provide our adult and kids program the best experience possible. Come train with us to see what makes each and every one of our instructors special!
Abie Gonzales
Black Belt
With a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, a seasoned background in wrestling, and comprehensive experience in mixed martial arts (MMA), Abie stands out as a formidable presence in the world of martial arts. Driven by a passion for shaping today’s youth, Abie leverages his extensive expertise to build self-confidence, resilience, and future champions. His dedication transcends the mats, instilling essential life skills and values in every student they mentor, crafting not just skilled fighters, but well-rounded individuals prepared for life’s challenges.
A decorated competitor, Abie is a two-time IBJJF No-Gi Champion, having clinched titles at the purple, and brown belt levels, and placed second in the IBJJF Master Worlds at brown belt. This competitive spirit is mirrored in his personal life, with his youngest son, Adam, securing 3rd place at the NMJW (New Mexico Junior Wrestling) in 2023, 3rd place at IBJJF Kid Con, and several challenger division championships in American Grappling Industries (AGF). Alongside this, Abie’s oldest son, Manuel, plays football at Highlands University, and his middle son, Kasen, excels in high school baseball. All three boys grew up competing in Jiu-Jitsu, reflecting the family’s shared commitment to the martial arts.
Abie also served 20 years in the U.S. Army, completing three tours in Iraq. It was during his last deployment that Abie met Laura. For his exceptional bravery and leadership, Abie was awarded the Bronze Star medal. This commitment to mentorship and leadership has continued to be a guiding principle, taking mentorship to new levels
Laura Gonzales
Assistant Children’s Instructor
Laura Gonzales is a dedicated professional with a rich background in both military and martial arts. She met her husband, Abie, during a U.S. Army tour in Iraq, where they served together on resupply missions across the Maysan Province in southeast Iraq. The couple married in 2012, solidifying a bond forged in challenging circumstances.
At Fort Carson, CO, she earned Level I and II Combatives certificates, heavily influenced by Abie, who played a significant role in refining her technique. This new chapter in her life led her to discover a passion for martial arts and self-defense. After the birth of their youngest son, Laura departed from Army service and turned her focus toward martial arts.
Laura pursued higher education at the University of New Mexico (UNM), where she earned her undergraduate degree in Communication and History. Currently, she is near the completion of her master’s degree in organizational development & Human Resource Development, driven by a passion for enhancing human capital and organizational efficiency.
Brandon Romero
Assistant Children’s Instructor
Brandon Romero is a faith-based, results-driven, and enthusiastic professional with over 20 years of experience in the life safety and engineering industry. He received his undergrad degree from New Mexico State University. As an Army Veteran, Brandon has honed his leadership skills, which have propelled him to the top of his profession for many years. He is adept at developing tailored action plans for each person’s unique needs and is committed to helping them choose the best path forward.
Throughout his career, Brandon has earned the trust of several local, national and international companies and maintained strong client relationships that generate repeat business. Brandon attributes his success to his God given ability to listen to people and put their needs first.
Brandon has three kids and two grandkids. He loves his family and cherishes the time they spend together.
After learning combatives in the Army and dabbling in martial arts post-discharge, he became serious about Jiu Jitsu in 2019, discovering a true passion for the sport. He has coached various sports, including Jiu Jitsu, for many years. It wasn’t until meeting and training under Professor Abie Gonzales that his true understanding of Jiu Jitsu came to fruition.
In his free time Brandon enjoys quiet time, family time, the outdoors, volunteering at the church he attends.
Tito Valdez
Black Belt
Adriana Rascon
Black Belt
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Learn More About Our
Programs
Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu provides a variety of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for families and competitors. No matter which BJJ class you join, you can train in Gi or No Gi. The programs are split between our Toddler program, Children’s program, and Adult program. Find the Jiu-Jitsu class for you and see what training martial arts with Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu has to offer!
Toddler’s Jiu-Jitsu Program
Our Toddler’s BJJ classes are a great opportunity to start your kids off young. We focus on developing motor skills and helping build those foundational lessons as they grow more and more. It is both a physical development program as well as an early social development program.
Children’s Jiu-Jitsu Program
Our Children’s BJJ classes are perfect for your child’s development. Most of our younger students will be taught a self-defense style of Jiu-Jitsu. Along the way, they’ll grow in confidence and be taught bully prevention skills. They’ll learn that the mental and physical component goes hand-in-hand as they grow.
Adult’s Jiu-Jitsu Program
It doesn’t matter your age or training experience, our Adult BJJ classes can help you grow. We start from the ground up with a technique-oriented approach. If you are experienced you can dive into deeper competition and more advanced moves. If not, we’ll emphasize situational self-defense and help with potential weight loss and straight training. No matter your goals, we’ll help you strive toward them!
Why They Train With Us
Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu has everything you would want for yourself and a kids activity. We are family-friendly and technique-oriented so students grow on and off the mat. Anyone can train with us, whether you are interested in competition, self-defense, or are looking to help your kids with confidence and anti-bullying. And don’t just listen to us. We encourage you to read what our customers have to say about why we are the best place to train Jiu-Jitsu in Rio Ranch!
Free trial class!
Start your BJJ journey off with a free class on us!
Contact Us Today!
Gonzales Jiu-Jitsu welcomes everyone in Rio Rancho and those nearby, including Albuquerque and Corrales to our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym. We are located on Highway 528 just north of Intel!