Home › Oregon › Portland › Mata Leao Combat Sports
Mata Leao Combat Sports
4.8 ★★★★★ 143 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Portland, Oregon
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes (ages 4–18) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule mataleaocs.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 503-208-3160
Hours
| Monday | 12–2 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30–8 am, 11 am–1 pm, 4–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–2 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30–8 am, 5–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–1 pm, 4–9 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–12 pm |
The classes they run
“From my experience as a beginner in jiu-jitsu, coming in consistently; I've built confidence and skill just enough to step into the cage for the first time.”
“She also enjoys the fun games played in each kids class that also improve her martial arts skills and overall sports agility.”
“Amongst learning how to choke someone out and learn self defense, which as a woman is an extremely important skill to be learning.”
“She loves the physical challenge of the classes and mini sparring sessions.”
“The best spot for kids, beginners and high level fighters alike.”
“Amongst learning how to choke someone out and learn self defense, which as a woman is an extremely important skill to be learning.”
Other martial arts here
“Professor Omar Santiago has been diligently studying martial arts (in particular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing) for over 25 years.”
“Professor Omar Santiago has been diligently studying martial arts (in particular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing) for over 25 years.”
“I still have long ways to go in terms of mma but the progression speaks for itself.”
What members say
“The coaches are well trained and great to work with and talk to.”
“From my experience as a beginner in jiu-jitsu, coming in consistently; I've built confidence and skill just enough to step into the cage for the first time.”
“Omar and the rest of the instructors are knowledgeable and welcoming; fostering a community of people who embody the passion and dedication inherent in the art form.”
“Plenty of beginner and experienced adults and kids classes for both self defense and competition.”
“For anyone on the fence, it's definitely worth the drive for this quality of instruction and welcoming atmosphere.”
“From my experience as a beginner in jiu-jitsu, coming in consistently; I've built confidence and skill just enough to step into the cage for the first time.”
From the reviews
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.
Best school in Portland! Do yourself a favor and just go ahead and get yourself a year membership. This school has it all. Fantastic morning and afternoon strength training. Great Muay Thai Kickboxing, outstanding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and children's martial arts.
You will learn some serious skills at this gym! I’ve been training here for about 4 months and the results have been incredible. I have tried a few other gyms in Portland, but my skills really took a leap since I began training at Mata-Leao. This gym has a unique culture and training environment.
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.
New to muay thai? Start at Mata Leao Combat Sports
Mata Leao Combat Sports comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first muay thai class at Mata Leao Combat Sports
Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
More muay thai gyms near Portland
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Portland
5 ★★★★★ 122 reviews
Northwest Fighting Arts
4.5 ★★★★★ 303 reviews
🥊 Free trial class — check their site
Portland Thai Boxing
4.9 ★★★★★ 47 reviews