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Mata Leao Combat Sports
4.8 ★★★★★ 143 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Portland, Oregon
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes (ages 4–18) — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule mataleaocs.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (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
“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.”
“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 loves the physical challenge of the classes and mini sparring sessions.”
“Professor Omar Santiago has been diligently studying martial arts (in particular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing) for over 25 years.”
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.”
“I still have long ways to go in terms of mma but the progression speaks for itself.”
“Professor Omar Santiago has been diligently studying martial arts (in particular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing) for over 25 years.”
“Amongst learning how to choke someone out and learn self defense, which as a woman is an extremely important skill to be learning.”
What members say
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
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.
Mata Leao is a truly excellent gym, both for complete beginners and those who have a few years of experience. 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.
New to kickboxing? 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 class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness 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 kickboxing class at Mata Leao Combat Sports
Nervous about walking into a kickboxing 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 — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics 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.
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