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Best of Chapel Hill: Three-Peat
Beacon MMA Wins Best of Chapel Hill — Three Years in a Row!
We’re proud (and still a little blown away) to share that Beacon Mixed Martial Arts has been voted Best of Chapel Hill for the third year in a row! Since opening our doors in 2021, it’s been an incredible journey — growing from a small martial arts gym into a full community hub for fitness, personal growth, and recovery.
Winning this award three times is more than just a recognition — it’s a reflection of the amazing students, families, and coaches who’ve made Beacon MMA what it is today. If you’ve trained with us, sent your kid to camp, joined our fitness program, or worked with our physical therapy team — thank you. This is your win, too.
The Mat and the Mind: How Jiu-Jitsu and Education Intersect to Build Better Humans
Jiu-Jitsu isn’t only about wrist locks and cross-collar chokes, it’s about growth. At its core, it’s a system of learning that mirrors the best of what we aim to cultivate in educational settings: curiosity, problem-solving, resilience, and respect.
Top 5 Mistakes New Muay Thai Students Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Starting Muay Thai is an exciting and empowering journey. Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, competition, or just a new challenge, Muay Thai has something to offer. But like any complex skill, beginners often fall into the same traps when first stepping into the gym. Here are the top five mistakes new students make in Muay Thai - and how to avoid them.
New Gear Drop
Now accepting pre-orders for official G13 BJJ ranked rash guards. Available in long sleeve and short sleeve, our IBJJF legal rash guards are a great way to help you stay cool and clean.
Why You Should Wear Rash Guards
Whether you’re rolling in the gi or training no-gi, one piece of gear deserves a permanent spot in your BJJ rotation: the rash guard. Once seen as a no-gi essential, rash guards are now becoming more and more common under the gi — and for good reason. More than just a stylish layer, a quality rash guard improves hygiene, comfort, and performance on the mats.
New Program Added
Introducing an exciting new program that’s 100% free to all adult members!
Back-to-Back Team Titles
Congratulations to our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu adult competition team.
Beacon Physical Therapy & Performance is Now Open
We are now Chapel Hill’s newest source for Physical Therapy and Performance training!
Fuel Your Training Sessions
When you’re gearing up for a session of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or Muay Thai, what you put in your body can make or break your performance. These are physically demanding sports that require strength, endurance, agility, and mental focus. Whether you’re training early in the morning or hitting the mats after work, eating and hydrating properly throughout the day will help you get the most out of your session and recover faster afterward.
Here’s a practical, no-nonsense guide to what to eat and drink on training days.
Luke Lessei Secures First-Round TKO at ONE Fight Night 27
On January 10, 2025, at ONE Fight Night 27 in Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium, American Muay Thai fighter Luke "The Chef" Lessei delivered a commanding performance, defeating Canada's Cody Jerome via first-round TKO in a 160.5-pound catchweight bout. Lessei's strategic use of body strikes led to multiple knockdowns, culminating in a stoppage at the 2:00 mark of the opening round.
Our First Female BJJ Black Belt
Beacon MMA, Chapel Hill’s first black belt is also Beacon MMA’s first female black belt! Introducing Professor Chela Tu!