Find Your Place on the Mat
Whatever brought you here—fitness, fighting, confidence, or community—you’ll find it at Ironwood.
Jiu-Jitsu for Anyone
At Ironwood, we teach effective Jiu-Jitsu in a space that’s structured, supportive, and free of ego. Whether you're stepping on the mat for the first time or returning after years away, you'll be met with patient coaching, clear fundamentals, and training that meets you where you’re at.
We offer classes for:
Kids (ages 5+)
Teens and Adults
Early Risers 6AM class
Why Ironwood
Come As You Are. Leave Better.
There’s something powerful about consistent training. You don’t have to be fast, strong, or fearless. You just have to show up.
At Ironwood, we believe Jiu-Jitsu should be functional, thoughtful, and sustainable. That means:
You’ll learn to defend yourself with real-world effectiveness
You’ll gain confidence from doing hard things
You’ll train in a focused, ego-free environment
You’ll get better—on and off the mats
“Nate is an exceptional instructor. He is doing a great job with the kids’ class, our kids can’t wait to go every day. The adult classes are awesome as well, with a very welcoming community. Nate has created a strong gym culture already. I’m very excited to be part of Ironwood Jiu-Jitsu and I can’t recommend it enough.”
“Great place to train! Nates instructing is top notch and he’s been able to help me improve my jiu-jitsu immensely in a short amount of time. The other students are super friendly, easy going and helpful too. There’s a great sense of community at Ironwood”
Getting Started
You Don’t Need to Be Ready. You Just Need to Start.
Jiu-jitsu has finally come to Northwest Marana! Ironwood Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the first academy serving Gladden Farms, Red Rock, and Continental Ranch, making it easier than ever to train without leaving your community.
Join us as we train, grow, and lay the foundation for an exciting future. Be part of the first-ever Jiu-jitsu community in Northwest Marana—your journey starts here!
Who we are
Ironwood Jiu-jitsu is led by Head Instructor Nathen Danforth, a dedicated Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with over 11 years of experience. Nathen earned his black belt under Professor Sal Flores, head instructor and owner of our sister school, Pallaton BJJ. Beginning his Jiu-jitsu journey with a goal of weight loss, Nathen found a transformative path that extended beyond fitness, discovering profound personal growth and resilience on the mats. For the past nine years, he has shared his passion by teaching others, driven by his love for Jiu-jitsu and his dedication to helping students reach their potential. Inspired by Chris Haueter's philosophy—Think Street, Train Sport, Practice Art—Nathen believes Jiu-jitsu has something unique to offer everyone. Alongside his wife, Amber, and daughters, Emma and Mackenzie, Nathen creates a warm, inclusive environment at Ironwood where students of all ages can experience the life-changing benefits of Jiu-jitsu.
Contact Us
Interested in training with us? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!