About
Checkmat Woodland Hills BJJ is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy rooted in community, respect, and a supportive learning environment. We offer Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for kids and adults at every level — from complete beginners to experienced competitors.
The gym is led by Professor Arnaldo Maidana de Oliveira, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under coach Gilberto Gabas. Arnaldo began his martial arts journey with capoeira and taekwondo as a child, transitioning into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his teens and earning his black belt in December 2013. He’s known for his technical knowledge, calm teaching style, and emphasis on fundamentals, making his classes approachable for all ages and skill levels.
Checkmat itself is a globally respected BJJ team and academy network founded in 2008 by Léo Vieira with his brothers Ricardo and Leandro Vieira. The team has been consistently ranked among the top schools in world-level competitions and has over 100 affiliate academies around the world.
At Checkmat Woodland Hills, the culture on the mats reflects that heritage — focused on technique, discipline, and mutual respect, not intimidation. Students feel welcome asking questions, and coaches take time to help everyone progress safely whether they’re learning self-defense, getting in shape, building confidence, or training for competition.
There’s a real sense of community here. Many families train together — kids, moms, and dads — and you’ll often see parents cheering during children’s classes. The atmosphere is calm, fun, and supportive, and it’s clear people truly enjoy being here.
Arnaldo’s wife, Gabriela, manages the front desk and all gym operations, is known for being friendly, helpful, and highly organized, making every visit smooth and welcoming. The facility is clean and spacious, with two floors of mat space, and there’s convenient parking in the back — a real plus for busy families and working adults.
This gym is great for beginners, men and women, boys and girls — whether you want to learn self-defense, build discipline, break a sweat, or become more competitive in BJJ. We also host community events like open mats, gym anniversary celebrations, and kids’ birthday parties, so there’s always something happening beyond regular class time.
