Next Generation MMA

I requested a trial/​call and no return call back. We walked into their studio and nobody acknowledged or greeted us. Owner didn’t seem to care. We will definitely be looking elsewhere.

When I first began training a long time ago the MMA scene in Dallas wasn’t too big. There were really only a handful of options and to be frank many were just former traditional schools that tacked on MMA or BJJ to stay relevant and did, as one would expect, a pretty piss poor job of understanding let alone teaching this new fangled thing called «MIXED MARTIAL ARTS.»
Your options were limited and although there were some really great schools it could be difficult to say the least to find something that clicks.
So I find it fitting that a gym like Next Generation opened in Dallas because in many ways it brought the next generation of what martial arts is becoming. Was this a cheesy and clumsy metaphor? Perhaps but what did you expect from a reviewer whose hobby includes being punched in the head?
But I digress, the point I am making is Next Gen is a bit of fresh air in the Dallas martial arts scene. There are some great schools in D-​Town, including some top notch exceptional MMA gyms but one of the best things I like about Next Gen is their approach to teaching grappling specifically, which sets them apart.
In my experience as a lifelong martial artist and self proclaimed martial arts nerd, grappling can be one of the most intimidating, grueling, misunderstood, and dare I say unappealing martial arts for a newbie to learn who is unfamiliar with how truly awesome grappling is.
It doesn’t quite have the «wow» or «cool» factor say breaking a board or kicking someone in the dome that say traditional or striking arts have. The basics are less obvious, less flashy, and often less fun to learn. Which for many make the incentive less appealing and the drop off rate high. Plus who in their right mind wants to roll around with sweaty and possibly stinky people in their free time?
However Chris Brennan and his staff’s approach to breaking down the sweet sweet art of grappling will quickly make grappling one of your favorite passions that no amount of smelly sweaty people can ever take away from you.
They offer many great classes taught at a high level at Next Gen, including boxing and muay thai/​kickboxing but to me the piece de resistance is their grappling of course, specifically their beginner class that is worth mentioning over and over again.
They have a way of explaining and covering the basics for beginner grapplers and even seasoned vets alike that really makes learning a treat instead of a chore.
As someone whose martial arts career began with hitting things and was by god hell bent on ending it with that, Chris’s way of teaching just had that CLICK moment I mentioned earlier.
I have tried many times in the past to get myself amped about BJJ or grappling. I enrolled in many classes and spent a fair amount of time on the mat but for whatever reason I always just lost interest. I just felt it wasn’t for me. My teachers were all great and teaching similar material (BJJ) but for whatever reason it didn’t stick.
I mention this because like many people I am sure can relate, sometimes the material can be right but without that right teacher sometimes it just doesn’t click. Next Gen’s approach was just different and finally gave me that AHA! Epiphany moment that made me love grappling. It’s almost like when you eat something different or unfamiliar and develop an acquired taste for it that eventually becomes something you love to have, something that Unilocal reviews really help with. =P
And Next Gen’s classes did that for me. I started in the beginner’s like everyone does and eventually made my way to the open classes.
Instructors such as the awesome Josh Ruff just had a great way of helping you understand grappling without the usual sink or swim baptism by fire method at many grappling schools. Which I greatly appreciate because it helped build real applicable knowledge and confidence that as a newbie really goes along way if one wants to start rolling or take their training further. Everyone has an ego and most don’t like getting schooled or embarrassed. Something that grappling does a great job of, but at this gym there are no egos on the mat nor in the instructing which really goes a long way to helping teach those new to grappling.
Although I ended up moving out of state and thus was unable to train there anymore, my time there was invaluable and gave me the confidence to realize that grappling is something I really enjoy. I even got into wrestling through that gym, another incredibly grueling skill and story for another day, that I continue to pursue now. Something I wouldn’t had it not been for Next Gen.
Go there. Learn. Start loving grappling too!

There are very few BJJ instructors and even fewer MMA instructors in the Metroplex as experienced as Chris Brennan. The guy was in UFC 16 for God’s sake! The kids class top notch and there are nothing but killers on the mat in the adult classes. There Sunday open mat is amazing. I strongly recommend this for beginner or experienced practitioners.

I became a member because the facilities are new and clean; the class times are varied enough to get a workout every day of the week; the instructors are legit and motivational.
I don’t have children, but if I did I would enroll them in an extracurricular activity that keeps them healthy and installs confidence.
I’m a germaphobe, but this place enforces cleanliness and discipline. Try it!