Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) in Sarajevo
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is ground fighting built on leverage, angle and timing — the idea that a smaller, weaker person can control a stronger one who doesn't know what they're doing. Ours is taught by a black belt.
What you'll learn
BJJ starts with positions: how to reach a dominant one, how to hold it, and how to escape a bad one. Submissions come after — arm, shoulder and knee locks, plus chokes. You'll learn guard and guard passing, escapes from mount and side control, takedowns, and — just as importantly — how to move calmly under someone's weight without panicking. That last part is what changes people most outside the gym.
Who teaches
Head coach Namik Alibašić holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu — the highest rank in the sport, earned over many years of training, competing and teaching. There aren't many black belts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the difference shows in the quality of explanation: you get the reason a technique works and what to do when your opponent reacts differently, not just the sequence of steps.
Gi and no-gi
Classical BJJ is trained in a kimono (gi), where fabric grips open up a whole arsenal of control and chokes. Our regular program is mostly no-gi — closer to MMA and faster paced. The two overlap heavily and knowledge transfers both ways. If you're specifically interested in gi training, ask the coach about current sessions.
BJJ for women
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 16:45 to 17:45 we run a dedicated women's jiu-jitsu session led by coach Dalila. It's a closed group, the atmosphere is calm, and experience level doesn't matter — plenty of members had never trained anything. More on the women's program page.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a BJJ black belt mean?
- It's the highest rank in the sport and typically takes ten or more years of consistent training, passing through white, blue, purple and brown. Unlike some martial arts, BJJ awards belts slowly and strictly, so a black belt genuinely reflects mastery.
- Can I train BJJ with no experience?
- Yes, and that's how nearly everyone starts. The beginner group moves at a slower pace, focused on fundamental positions and safe movement. No level of fitness or knowledge is expected in advance.
- How many sessions a week do I need to progress?
- Twice a week gives steady, visible progress. Three or more speeds things up noticeably. What matters most is consistency over months — in BJJ, progress belongs to whoever keeps showing up, not to whoever trains hard for one week and disappears.
Your first BJJ session is free
Arrange a time with the coach — come, see the gym and train with no obligation.
Nedžarići 7, Sarajevo
Other programs
MMA is the most complete combat sport — striking, wrestling and ground fighting in one. At OCD Fighters we train all three from day one, in groups split by experience level.
Grappling is fighting without strikes — takedowns, control, submissions and chokes. A sport where technique regularly beats strength, and probably the fastest way to learn to control someone bigger than you.
A dedicated women's jiu-jitsu session, in a closed group, led by coach Dalila. No prior experience needed, and no atmosphere where you have to prove anything to anyone.
Never trained before? That's where most of our members started, and it isn't an obstacle. We run dedicated beginner groups for MMA and grappling, paced for people starting from zero.
No hidden costs and no joining fee. You pay a membership for the program you train, or per session if a monthly rhythm doesn't suit you. Your first session is free.
We train Monday to Saturday, mornings and evenings, in groups split by level. The full weekly schedule is below, with today highlighted.
Our gym is at Nedžarići 7, in the Novi Grad municipality of Sarajevo. There's a map and a directions button below — if it's your first visit, following the route straight to the address is easiest.
The gym is in Nedžarići, walking distance from the student halls. Sessions run mornings and evenings so they fit around lectures — and if your schedule is unpredictable, you can pay per session.
In your first weeks you'll hear a lot of terms nobody stops to explain. Here's what they mean — so you don't have to ask mid-round.