October 2025
5 out of 5 stars
Have been attending for about a month now the instructor and team were very welcoming. An amazing gym for sure I highly recommend taking a free week trial class it got me hooked the first day and I never looked back!
Self Defense Classes in Florence, SC
Practical self defense built on authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - the art that lets a smaller person control a bigger, stronger attacker. No experience needed. Your first class is free.
Florence, SC
Reality Check
Why Self Defense Matters
Most real confrontations are messy, close range, and often end up on the ground, where size and aggression usually decide the outcome. Self defense that pretends otherwise gives you false confidence.
We teach you to stay calm and stay in control in exactly the situation most people fear most.
The Method
Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Self Defense?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most effective self-defense systems ever developed, because it was built for the worst case: a bigger, stronger person on top of you.
Instead of trading strikes and hoping you are tougher, you learn to protect yourself, control the attacker with leverage and technique, and create a safe way out. That is self defense that works even when the size and strength are not on your side.
For You
Who This Is For
- Adults of any age and any fitness level
- Complete beginners who have never trained
- Anyone who has felt unsafe and wants to fix that with real skill, not a one-day seminar
Looking for women's self defense? See our Women's Self Defense page. For children, see Kids & Teens.
Curriculum
What You Will Learn
Read & Avoid Danger
How to keep distance and read a situation before it escalates.
Ground Protection
How to protect yourself and stay safe if you end up on the ground.
Control & Neutralize
How to control and neutralize a larger attacker using leverage.
Stay Composed
How to stay composed under pressure - the skill that matters most.
Reviews
4.938 Google reviewsWhat Students Say
January 2024
5 out of 5 stars
Competitive Edge Combat Sports is a great place to be. Professor Aragao is one of the most down to earth and humble people I know. In addition, he is also an amazing jiu jitsu instructor and will help you master the art of the sport.
2024
5 out of 5 stars
If you are considering starting jiu jitsu or looking for a place to join, I would highly recommend CEC Sports. Professor Francisco is one of a kind! A truly humble and welcoming person. I dropped in for a Monday night gi class (traveling through Florence on business) and I was immediately made to feel welcome. Great training, great students, and a great professor. Thanks again Francisco. I will visit again!
May 2024
5 out of 5 stars
Great gym with great people and a very welcoming atmosphere. Prof. Aragao is a great instructor who will invest his time and knowledge if you are willing to put in the work/time to learn. Highly recommend!
February 2026
5 out of 5 stars
Good training and atmosphere. I have been training here for years great teachers and students to learn and train with.
April 2026
5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful instructor our son loves going to Jijitsu.
FAQ
Self Defense Questions
No. Most people start with no experience and no special fitness. You train at your own pace, and your first class is free.
Yes. It is one of the most effective self-defense arts there is, because it is designed to keep you safe and in control against a bigger, stronger attacker.
You build usable skills from your very first classes. Real self defense is a habit you keep sharpening, not a certificate you collect once.
Yes. One-on-one coaching is available every shift, seven days a week, including Saturday and Sunday.
Yes. We have a dedicated Women's Self Defense program and a Kids & Teens Bullyproof program. See those pages for details.
111 Technology Place, Florence, SC 29501.
About
Self Defense Is Our Foundation
Self defense is the foundation of everything we teach at Competitive Edge Combat Sports in Florence. Our instruction comes from authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, learned at the source in Ceara, Brazil, and applied to keeping you and the people you care about safe.
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