Our Mission

Our mission is the pursuit of the most effective means for fighting, both in self-defense and mixed martial art competition. Through our teachings, we empower individuals with the skills and knowledge that not only fortify their physical prowess but also nurture their mental strength.

Our dojo is a place of hard work and respect. We cultivate an environment of discipline and honor. By setting lofty standards, we encourage our students to surpass their own expectations and achieve newfound heights of capability.

Benefits of MMA Training

We believe the challenge of MMA training, together with the pursuit of a healthy, balanced lifestyle is the true embodiment of martial arts, and a means to great personal achievement.

MMA Gym in the heart of NYC

Radical MMA gym is located in central NYC and offers group and private training for anyone interested in mixed martial arts or self-defense.

Our MMA Classes

Our classes are designed for self-defense practitioners as well as those aspiring to fight MMA at the amateur or professional level. All levels are equally welcome. No previous experience is required.

Videos

Watch our highlight reels and tutorial videos.

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Premier FC 30

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Reviewing Fight Scenes In Movies

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Using the Wall for Grappling and Striking

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Rat Guard & Rubber Guard

Articles

Anatomy of the “Air Choke” in BJJ, Judo & MMA

Video thumbnail for Rear Naked Choke instruction

Anatomy of the Carotid Rear Naked Choke

Do Martial Arts Styles Have to Be Brutal to Be Effective?

Is the Guard Dead? Part 1

BJJ One Art or Many?

Is the Guard Dead? Part 3

The Old Days of Underground MMA in New York City

Is the Guard Dead? Part 2

What’s the Most Brutal MMA match of all time?

Testimonials

Edward V. Executive Protection Specialist / Retired LEO

I have studied and taught various martial arts for over 35 years. I am also a retired Law Enforcement Officer that worked in the prison system for 23 years. I am presently doing executive protection exclusively for a prominent family.
One of the hardest things to do in your quest to study the martial arts is to find a good instructor that can teach physically, mentally and morally the true essence of the arts. I was lucky enough to find a young man named René Dreifuss.
His approach to teaching is phenomenal. He is a very analytical teacher, breaking everything down the simplest concepts, so that you understand tactics as well as technique.
He is a hard teacher, a throwback to olden day masters. But he is also on the cutting-edge of the new MMA world. He is a true student of game. His Jiu-jitsu is constantly evolving and getting better as he follows the newest developments in MMA.
He will never, ever teach something fake or make believe. He will never give you a false sense of security. He will drill you and drill you until your technique becomes second nature. Then in time he will force you to fight your way out of every possible worst-case scenario. Miyamoto Musashi once said, “Premature strategy is the cause of grief.” Coach Dreifuss really understands this. He is not an easy instructor and will push you in a way you have never experienced before.
Coach Dreifuss’ total dedication and unselfishness are unlike any other instructor that I have come across in my life. And I have studied with quite a few great instructors.
There is another last saying which I will leave you with, “When the student is ready the master will appear.” If you come across René, then you are ready to take this quest. Good luck, he is honestly a great instructor.

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Chris R. Pro Muay Thai Champion, BJJ Brown Belt

An absolutely amazing teacher! Coach Dreifuss is able to breakdown the most complicated technique to its basic root, which gives me a better understanding of the big picture of what I am doing. My game has immensely improved. Thanks a 1000 times Coach.

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Chris G. Martial Artist

I’ve trained at 5+ martial arts gyms, and Radical MMA is in a class of its own. The classes are structured, flow-centric, and Coach Rene’s fighting system is the most effective I’ve ever seen. If you want to get better faster, come to Radical MMA.
Case in point- I went back to my old gym for open mat and easily controlled and submitted the white/blue belts there. I’m even starting to give my purple belt cousin a harder time. I’ve trained a year of sport jiu jitsu elsewhere along with 5 months at Radical, and I can confidently say: don’t waste your time at another gym.

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Sami C. Pro MMA Fighter

This is the best place you can find in NYC for MMA Jiu-Jitsu training! People there are awesome and the coach is a real master!

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Sandro K. Amateur MMA Fighter

The best gym I’ve ever been to. Rene is an outstanding human being and an amazing instructor. Coach Rene took me from a kid, having dreams of even fighting once, to being 5-0 and about to fight for the belt in amateurs. This gym is for serious martial artists only. Real fighters, real people. If you want to be the best version of you. Mentally, physically, emotionally, come here and see what it can do for you.

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Jay P. Martial Artist

AMAZING INSTRUCTION: Radical MMA teaches extremely technical MMA. The instruction is simple, with MMA combos systematically broken all the way down into step by step movements that layer fluidly on each other. Amazing atmosphere/people.

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M. B. Martial Artist

Simply put, Rene has devised a way to forge Samurai out of computer geeks and flabby hipsters. If you give him three consistent years of training, he will make you into a warrior. That is a guarantee.

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Richard J. Actor, Martial Artist

Look no further for data driven and battle tested self defense/no rules fighting. By the time I came to New York I knew I needed more than just jujitsu. I spent some time in San Diego training at a well-known school for jujitsu but I noticed that they were very much into sport jujitsu which didn’t do a whole lot for self-defense or fighting in the street. Radical MMA is the real deal. Their emphasis on no rules fighting, competing in sports that allow both grappling and striking, and Rene's experience and data driven system of self defense are a truly superior combo. Other schools in the area are catching on but they teach both striking and grappling separately whereas radical integrates everything from the get go. The class sizes are manageable so there’s a lot of one on one attention. Which brings me also to the coach. Rene is the head coach and he onboard everyone who enters his Academy. He truly cares about our development as fighters and people. No hyperbole, his experience, teaching acumen, and genuine generosity are exceptionally rare and more than worth the price of tuition. It’s the most comprehensive system I’ve ever come across and it actually works. Even if I left New York and had to train somewhere else to get partners, I would still defer to Rene and his system. This is New York’s best fighting gym.

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G. O. Lifelong Martial Artist

The training has a very modern approach to Martial Arts, while strengthening our Traditional spirits. I've been training with Coach Dreifuss for over 7 years now, and it's been more than learning fighting techniques. Coach Dreifuss empowers you to raise your own standards as a human being and fighter. The training has a very modern approach to Martial Arts, while strengthening our Traditional spirits. I love the new dojo!

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Eric M. Martial Artist

The journey I've taken at Radical MMA has been life changing in nothing but positive ways. And I am not the type of person who says that sort of thing often or is prone to hyperbole. Fair warning, this is a place for people who have come to do the work necessary to become a skilled fighter or learn practical self defense. That means you do what you're told when you're told to do so. There are no breaks or time for leisure after you step onto the mat. Because in the cage or on the street you do not have the luxury of choosing when to take a break from violence. And that's the crux of the curriculum at Radical MMA, real world application. There's no mindless adherence to tradition, only technique that is proven to work and is updated when improvements are learned, situational awareness training, and fight IQ training. That's what you can expect at Radical MMA, in addition to some serious conditioning. Furthermore, Radical MMA is more than just an MMA Academy. To me it is a community, one of mutual obligation, respect, and whose members all genuinely like each other. That's because Rene has no tolerance for big egos, bad attitudes, selfishness, and people who just aren't very nice. He would sooner kick someone out and refund their money than continue to tolerate behavior that makes others genuinely uncomfortable or unsafe. As a head coach and businessman, Rene maintains a very high level of integrity many coaches and gym owners aren't concerned with cultivating. Because of his practical, data driven approach to fighting and the environment Rene provides, I've come to consider him as not just an MMA coach, but also a mentor. If you're looking for someone with a cerebral approach to fighting, a successful MMA career that lends him all the credibility he needs to effectively teach, and someone genuinely invested in your success both defending yourself and in the cage, I can't recommend Radical highly enough.

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Matt P. Martial Artist

Radical MMA is the best MMA gym I’ve ever been a part of. A friendly environment with the nicest people who are all invested in helping one another learn and pushing each other to a new level. Not only that but very sanitary and regulated. Radical is not only the best system for MMA but also mixes real world self defense tactics for those looking for practical uses. For those with a bit of discipline and an interest in MMA or simply looking to learn to defend themselves I can’t recommend Radical highly enough.

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Our Mission

Benefits of MMA Training

MMA Gym in the heart of NYC

Our MMA Classes

Videos

Articles

Testimonials

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