Berzin BJJ, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai school and studio located in Wyncote Commons, officially opened on September 11.
The martial arts facility at 827 Glenside Ave Suite 100-C offers beginner and advanced classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, all levels of training for Muay Thai, self-defense classes, mixed martial arts (MMA), and soon-to-be-offered kids classes.
“We have a lot of local residents attending. We’re doing adult classes right now, and we’re looking to open our kids curriculum soon. We love the energy,” Rea Berzin, Anton’s wife and Berzin BJJ’s manager, said. “We want to teach people to protect themselves and a lot of the discipline that comes with jiu-jitsu. We want people to try it out.”
“It’s been pretty fantastic. We have a really good group that’s joined the studio. Everyone has great attitudes and they’re training five days a week. That’s the best thing an instructor can ask for,” Anton said.
The studio is unique in its approach to quality over quantity. Anton is also the owner and CEO of Manor Hill Homes and Design, a construction company based in Huntingdon Valley, so passion, rather than profit, is his driving motivation.
“I hope to keep it growing with quality students because we don’t take just anyone. We occasionally turn people down. It’s not a money venture, it’s something that I love to do and am passionate about,” he said. “I want to share my knowledge with others, I truly believe it’s one of the best lifestyles you can have. It keys in your mind, your body, and your spirit.”
To grow their student base for those who may need it most, Berzin BJJ is offering discounted rates for law enforcement, first responders, and students of all ages.
“We want them to be equipped with the knowledge of jiu-jitsu to make the community a better place. We want people to be able to protect themselves. It’s personally saved my life twice in two different altercations. I swear by it,” Anton said.
The Berzins became Huntingdon Valley residents about four years ago. Anton came from northeast Philly, Rea from New Jersey. Opening a gym in the area has been their goal for years.
“We wanted to live in this area, and we ended up at the Rock Gym in Wyncote Commons about four years ago. I told Anton, ‘I love this neighborhood,'” Rea said. “Coincidentally, when we started looking for a gym, we saw an opening at the Commons. We said, ‘This is it.’ It has a small-town feel with unique homes and a tight-knit community.”
In a way, the Berzins’ path to owning a gym dates back to Anton’s childhood. The youngest of 10 kids born to Ukrainian parents, he arrived in the states when he was two years old via the lottery system.
“They got really lucky. They didn’t have anything, they didn’t speak a lick of English. Fighting has been his ticket out. He’s the one who started to make a name for them,” Rea said.
For those unfamiliar with the MMA circuit, Anton Berzin is a name. In 2014, he appeared in Ultimate Fighter’s Season 19 and began to make his mark in the Light Heavyweight division from there. His professional MMA record currently sits at 5-2-0 (Win-Loss-Draw), an impressive figure in an ultra-competitive region.
“We have some serious talent these days in the UFC. It’s hard out here compared to the West Coast. The talent is much higher,” he said. “I’m still competing in grappling tournaments and jiu-jitsu superfights. The last one was the UFC Invitation in Las Vegas in December 2021. Since we’ve been working on the gym I haven’t had as much time to focus on competing.”
Anton was one of the first legal MMA fighters before the events were sanctioned in Pennsylvania.
“At the time, it was actually illegal in New Jersey,” Rea said.
“I fought in one of the first legal cards in Pennsylvania, which was a really big thing at the time,” Anton said. “I had some fights in Atlantic City around 2008 before it was legal. Me and a handful of other guys were some of the first in Pennsylvania and Philly.”
The Berzins will be making an appearance at the Keswick Fall Festival on Saturday to offer attendees demonstrations and an introduction to the MMA lifestyle. Check them out.
For more on Berzin BJJ, you can visit their Facebook page and website. For more on Anton’s professional fighting career, you can click here.
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Photos: Anton Berzin