Paragon Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing

I called to ask about their BJJ program and I was invited to come in for an orientation that same day. I was really surprised to find out my orientation was with none other than Ricardo «Franjinha» Miller. A BJJ world Champ black belt and the founder of Paragon Jiu Jitsu. He spent a solid hour with me on the mat one on one covering some basics to make sure I had enough of a foundation to start with the group classes. I was so impressed and eager for more that I signed up on the spot.
I made it to a group class the next night and was not disappointed. On a Friday night class we were instructed by another black belt instructor Jonates Novaes. He has quite the impressive mma/​bjj resume. Super cool guy and patient instructor. He didn’t even seem upset that I couldn’t roll over sideways like everyone else during his warm up. The «warm up» seemed like an intense workout on its own. The class was fun, and I even got to do some live rolling. A very humbling experience. Lol. I’m looking foreword to more. And really looking foreword to learning the art so that I’m not flopping around on the mat like a fish out of water. All in good time.
Also the gym is nice and the prices are very reasonable.

To me Paragon lives up to their name the pinnacle the model of excellence. The worlds that come to mind are quality, family and dedication. When you train at paragon you never feel like you are just another student they test you as family, and the techniques the show and the academy are top notch. The instructors are very knowledgeable and take the time to make sure you understand what is being taught. I have trained at many of the best academies in California in my 15 years of training and Franjinha is by far the best and most Caring professor I have had the honor of training under. I highly recommend training here and taking your jiu-​jitsu to the next level.

This place is awesome! The owner Franginha, is a great instructor and great person as well. He is also awesome with kids in the kids class. But when he’s not there, he has the best staff. Everyone is super helpful, friendly, and the instructors are all extremely knowledgable and very good at teaching. If you are considering jujitsu in general, you will not find a better or more effective martial art. That’s why it’s something every MMA fighter uses. It’s also the BEST workout around. I defiantly have WAY lower body fat and way more muscle tone after just a few weeks. It’s an awesome full body workout. Give this place a try, if you are tough enough to stick with it, you will defiantly be glad you did.

Paragon is an amazing place to develop your physical and mental strength. This place is the whole package, world famous professor who came here to Ventura to spread his love for his art. If you have the slightest inclination to learn jujitsu and you don’t come to Paragon then your not serious about learning.

Before I write a review I will like to express my experience and dedication to martial arts.
I have been in Martial arts since 1995 starting with boxing and in 1998 I stepped on my first Bjj/​submission wrestling mats and have been hooked ever since. Being a bjj addict I attended different bjj dojos looking for more and more techniques that I can train in and found out that one thing I was lacking was a take down game. So in 2010 I joined a Judo dojo to help with what I was lacking and have been training ever since.
After 5 different bjj dojos, I can say that I finally found my home and that was at paragon bjj in Ventura, not only because he’s a world class trainer, but because he is kind hearted. I can actually state he is a good human being that cares about your health and your well being. I automatically felt comfortable with him and understood his integrity towards people.
There is a reason why his champions are published in bjj magazines and other bjj media.
Sincerely
Geno Melena

Paragon Ventura, the mothership of Paragon and affiliated academies worldwide, is ran by the master and founder of Paragon himself, Ricardo «Franjinha» Miller. If you are already a Jiu Jitsu practitioner he should need no introduction, but for those of you who are new to the art allow me to introduce the man, the myth, and the legend, Franjinha. Father, husband, multiple time World and Pan American champion, BJJ instructor, life coach, certified tough guy with a heart of gold, and friend. This man came to the United States from Brazil without a dollar to his name and a dream to share Jiu Jitsu with the world. He has been living that dream for years… spreading the art to the masses, guiding people to become better versions of themselves, and creating champions!
You want to know that you are getting your money’s worth at any academy, and Paragon delivers with the absolute best instruction. The aforementioned Franjinha is a fifth degree black belt under Romero «Jacare» Cavalcanti, the founder of Alliance. Jonatas Novaes is a third degree black belt, multiple time world nogi champion, and professional MMA fighter. The entire team of instructors here is filled to the brim with an embarrassment of talent. On any given night you can find black belts teaching and training on the mats along with a plethora of other advanced belts to help you in your journey. Fear not newcomers, there is no shortage of white and blue belts at this academy as well. Jiu Jitsu takes all types of people, and this academy embraces the «Jiu Jitsu is for everyone» philosophy.
The instruction, the comradery, and the hard work put in at Paragon is tough to match in any other environment. If you’re reading this review and wondering if you should check out the academy, what are you waiting for? Stop by and see for yourself!

Best jiu jitsu you will find in California!!! Franjiha and Jonates are world champion competitors! Beside the talent and skill these guys make it fun! I’ve train all around the world and nothing compares to the level of excitement they bring each day to the academy! You can go here as a beginner or expert and fill all your needs! I’ve lost 50 pounds training here so beside the martial art the health and positive lifestyle is life changing!

The Paragon Instructors are top notch professionals and were great with my two kids 4 and 5 years of age. I’m confident I couldn’t have found a better BJJ academy to get my kids started off in. As long as they are interested in this style of martial art, they will be enrolled at Paragon BJJ Academy.
Thanks again guys!

The Best! I take my grandsons and watch how well Professor Franjinha, Pablo, Juvi, and Paolo interact and teach the students with care, skill and discipline. Fantastic kids in the class who are all learning much more than Brazilian Jujitsu!

Our son Gage started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu over 3 years ago at the age of 5. He started at another large BJJ place in Ventura. We recently moved from there after 3 years to Paragon. What we quickly found at Paragon was we should have moved over sooner. Here is what you can expect at Paragon.
QUALITY INSTRUCTORS: FRANJINHA is a world class competitor but more important for the kids program, excellent with kids. He is an all around honest, hard working champion who is known throughout the community as a family man. While he does this for a living, his motivation to teach is out of passion and is authentic. Steer clear of BJJ academies that are strictly profit driven — that is not the case here. PABLO is the lead instructor for the kids program. He keeps the class fun, but intense enough to push kids to challenge themselves and improve. He takes the time to understand where kids need improvement and give them that 1 on 1 attention. Both FRANJINHA and PABLO’s kids are in the classes which is great! In addition, there are other instructors who assist on the mat keeping the instructor to kid ratio ideal (this is key especially with kids).
LOCATION: Plenty of on and off street parking. The academy itself has a feel of being non-​commercialized. The mats are clean.
PRICE: Very fair and competitive.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a family oriented highly respected academy. The kids classes are for kids who simply want to learn the lifestyle of BJJ on up to top level competitors. You can’t go wrong here.

One of THE best academies to train at, world class technic taught by world class instructors/​champions.

Such an awesome place to learn and train Jiu Jitsu, positive people and clean mats.

There is something very special about Paragon. My son began BJJ in Tucson, AZ, at a Paragon affiliated school. What stood out for me was the love of BJJ that each instructor demonstrated. They loved teaching the children their love for BJJ. When we relocated to Ventura, I was thrilled to find out that Paragon was here. As soon as we arrived to check it out, it was clear that the same positive family values were the foundation of the program.
The instructors sincerely care about each person that walks through those doors. You’re not part of a belt-​mill or some program focused on getting as many people signed up as possible. They care about the individual, and want the individual to love BJJ as much as they do. Instructors are patient with the kids, and provide direction the kids to help them grow and become the best that they can be. I can watch my son grow during each class. It is such a great feeling when I hear him say as we’re leaving from practice — «I love this place.» He counts down the days between practice, and is ready and waiting for me to bring him to practice.
For California, the monthly fee is very reasonable. The only drawback is the time of the kids’ classes. When both parents work a more traditional 8:00 AM — 5:30 PM schedule, it is impossible to get their child to the kids’ class at 4:30 — 5:30 PM. It seems that a lot of programs for kids are between 3:00 — 5:00 PM in this area, so enrichment activities for kids are hard to come by for working stiffs. I do wish that Paragon offered some early evening classes for kids (6:30−7:30 PM), so that my son could go more often, and kids in similar situations could get the same benefit from the Paragon program that we have received. However, to be honest, I am happy that my son is getting influenced by the Paragon folks in any amount he can.
Ricardo «Franjinha» Miller has instilled a real interconnected family feel to the school. His warm and compassionate attitude comes through each of his instructors. It’s also pretty amazing to watch him train my son and the kids in his class as well. Sure, you can learn BJJ at a lot of places; but if you want to learn a lot more than just BJJ and know that you are part of something rewarding and fantastic, Paragon is the place to go. I hope that if you check out Paragon, you’ll get as much from them as me and my family have. Paragon is unquestionably the best place to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Recently I found myself planning a trip to the LA area. Truthfully, LA is a hotbed of Jiu Jitsu, and I was fortunate to pay a visit to Paragon Jiu-​Jitsu Ventura, where I attended the Friday night BJJ class from 6:30−8pm. Established in 1998, Paragon was co-​founded, and is still operated by Ricardo ‘Franjinha’ Miller. A black belt under the legendary Romero ‘Jacare’ Cavalcanti, Franjinha has a lengthy and successful competitive career, but he is also deeply involved in the instruction offered by the school.
First off, the atmosphere at Paragon is friendly. I had stopped by earlier in the afternoon to learn more about the evening class, and Professor Miller right away asked if I wanted a private lesson. Because I am still a white belt, I opted for the group lesson (walk-​in fee $ 25). A few hours later, after enjoying a Thai restaurant he had recommended, I returned for class. The other students in the class (2 white belts, 2 blue belts, and a purple belt) were very welcoming to me, especially as an out-​of-​towner.
After warm-​ups, which included wheelbarrow races into pushups, and piggyback rides into squats (with Professor Miller on my back), we stretched as a group and plunged right into the lesson (no shrimps, no rolls!), which focused on the Lumberjack Sweep. Unlike classes where the lesson attempts to cover six topics in an hour, we really focused on that one move, from placing the feet on our opponent’s hips, to the placement of the hands around their ankles, to the takedown and the quick movement to side-​control. Then we tackled the defense of the Lumberjack Sweep, and how this could transition into the «sweeper» doing an armbar. During this whole time, Professor Miller was my patient partner. Whether that was because I was the newcomer, or the only woman, or because I was the oldest person in the class, I am still not quite sure. But obviously having a black belt as your partner is special. At one point, Professor Miller asked if I was going to compete in the upcoming PanAms, to which I had to say, «no», being only a two-​stripe white belt at the time. We also spent a bit of time working on the triple threat armbar. After a water break, it was now time for open rolling and I was again fortunate to have Professor Miller as my partner. We rolled for a solid 10 minutes before I decided to tap, proud of myself for having lasted that long (I am sure that the Professor could have ended it at any moment, but that wouldn’t have been very sporting, would it?). Finally, at five minutes to eight, and looking for one more roll, I asked, and the purple belt was willing to go one more round. He was a little more forceful than ‘Franjinha’, and I managed to hold out for about five minutes before I tapped and it was time to go. In any case, check them out; I will definitely be back the next time I am in Ventura. Paragon is located at 83 S Palm St. Ventura, Ca 93 001 (805) 641‑1378. For more info:

Huge hassle to cancel. Was told to use website and would have to charge two months. Then claimed not have received the notice but needed an e-​mail, then charged two additional months claiming not to have received any e-​mails. After sending proof three times and being charged 3 extra months I am out $ 420 for nothing. Very unhappy, good training but at $ 140 per month for two visits a week not worth it.

Pros, Cons, then summary… my son went here, so I can only speak to the kid program.
Pros – Great place for kids. My son enjoys bjj and the instructors are great. I am able to see my son progress… all around good place for bjj. Paragon lets the kids actually roll… unlike its competitors, Paragon teaches the kids moves, then has them apply those moves while attempting to take other kids down.
Cons – $$. It’s pricey, not out of the ordinary for BJJ and its competitors, but the price put my family out of the market. Everything else seemed fine.
Would I go back (have my son go back)? Yes, as I earn more money, I’ll be returning sometime in the future. We left essentially for 2 reasons, money and time. The time conflicted with other sports my son wanted to play.

Paragon is the best place to train BJJ hands down. Franjinha is one of the best instructors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He’s knowledgeable, gracious, and patient with all of his students.
The technical game at this gym is beyond expectation. There is so much talent and so many champions at this gym it’s hard to count them all. Everyone I’ve ever rolled with has been top notch and there hasn’t been a day where I’ve walked in to the gym and I didn’t learn something new.
Paragon really is my second family. Every time I’ve walked in to the gym even after being gone for months fishing up in Alaska or dealing with life I’m always greeted with a smile a hug and a handshake from Franjinha.
I am in Phoenix now but I still rock my Paragon BJJ sticker on the back window of my truck. I will always represent Paragon no matter where I end up training or competing. Miss you guys!
Franjinha please open a Paragon in Phoenix! :)

It does not matter whether you are a doctor, student, mother with kids, or a professional fighter, you will quickly find that Paragon is unquestionably the best place to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the area.
Ricardo «Franjinha» Miller is literally a world class trainer and an all around great guy. I have been fortunate to be Franjinha’s student since about 2001, and in that time I have watched his business grow exponentially and many of his students become world champions, all while he has remained the one of the friendliest, humble guy I know.
Franjinha has a very unique quality of creating a welcoming atmosphere in his gyms that attracts good people. Paragon is frequently called a family and for very good a reason. Franjinha encourages students to push themselves to higher levels while eliminating any negative vibes that are prevalent in other martial art gyms.
Franjinha recognizes that everyone has varying interests within the sport and encourages you to pursue your unique goals. You will find you belong if you are old, young, in or out of shape, rich or poor, a hobbyist or a professional fighter. It truly is a family environment where people from all walks of life come together with one common bond — Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
I highly recommend you give it a try — you’ll be glad you did.

As someone with no martial arts experience, coming to Paragon was a huge leap of faith. I was expecting battle-​hardened veterans who would be condescending to a newcomer with no background like me, but I found the guys at Paragon incredibly welcoming and — this is the best part — willing to help me learn. They don’t try to submit you over and over, but they let you know what you can do to get better and not get caught. Franjinha is an awesome instructor who takes care to establish a solid level of conditioning in his students, and he is very thorough with his explanations. Great place to train, would definitely recommend it to anyone even considering picking up BJJ.

I f you are interested in Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu classes here are two important factors to consider:
— Just because its says Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu on the school that does not mean that you will learn Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu
–Your School has to feel like home.
Professor. Ricardo Franjinha Miller is a true expert… and I say true because the word expert now and days means so little… everyone they think because they developed 3,4,5 years to an area that this makes him an expert. Well coaching and teaching BJJ takes many more years a lifetime which he has devoted. He is honest with his students and sets goals for them. In the BJJ community he is respected for all the champions he has created over the years in USA not Brazil… his school is world class.
On the other side he is a world class person as nice as they come. You will find a home here.