Muay Thai | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
MMA |
Kettle Bells & Boxing |
Strength & Conditioning |
Kenpo Karate |
Hapkido | Tae Kwon Do
Chandler MMA is an award-winning,
family-owned/operated
martial arts school
with classes for those 4-adult.
Try us out for a week!
No credit/debit card. No obligation.
Once you are convinced that we are
the right place for you, join us!
No long term contracts!
Our Approach
Chandler MMA takes a non-traditional approach to martial arts by prioritizing the individual over any single style. We understand that every student is different in size, physical capability, and personal goals. Our structured, controlled environment allows practitioners to experience multiple disciplines, enabling them to naturally absorb the most practical and functional techniques for their unique needs. We don't force you into a style—we help you build the martial arts foundation that fits your life.
Our curriculum supplies you with a rich mixture of traditional martial arts styles and non-traditional tactics, helping you discover your own unique path. This philosophy—inspired by Jeet Kune Do—focuses entirely on concepts that are practical, simple, and direct. Our goal is not to have you rigidly copy an art, but to give you the foundation to dynamically develop it for yourself.
At Chandler MMA, we guide our students toward their fitness goals and black belt excellence through patience, understanding, and leading by example. With several distinct martial arts to choose from, our school provides an empowering training atmosphere. We know that consistent hard work is far more valuable than raw talent, and we build that foundation for success by actively:
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Promoting Strong Morals: Developing internal discipline and active focus.
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Building Relationships Based on Trust: Building a supportive, safe martial arts community.
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Upholding Honor and Respect: Cultivating respect for oneself and others in daily life.
Martial Arts Path
Martial arts is not a destination—it is a lifelong cycle of personal
development, physical conditioning, and community leadership.
Start
Stepping onto the mats for the first time.
Learn
Absorbing foundational body mechanics.
Progress
Building conditioning and coordination.
Test
Challenging your skills under evaluation.
Advance
Earning stripes and unlocking new ranks.
Black Belt
Black
Belt
The modern baseline of true expertise.
Mentor
Guiding incoming lower rank peers.
Sharpen
Refining advanced micro-details.
Teach
Preserving martial art lineages safely.
Lifestyle Integration
Living these core principles in your daily life.
Our Story
A Family Business
Since 2006
In their late teens, Paul & Kara McGowan moved from Tullamore, Ireland to upstate New York. Paul spent 12 years studying martial arts. They both worked very hard while they started a family. The McGowans moved to Arizona in 2006 to fulfill their dream to open their own martial arts school.
Chandler MMA opened in what's now the pro shop at Ice Den Chandler. Master (Paul) McGowan taught the classes while Kara took care of everything else behind the scenes. Master McGowan continued to expand his knowledge and became a 2nd-generation student in the Bruce Lee lineage.
The school has grown tremendously over the years, with black belt tests being conducted so far. Their sons grew up, learned several styles of martial arts from their dad, started teaching, and became Masters themselves.
We've come a long way, thanks to our students!
Location
Proudly rooted in our community, Chandler MMA has always been located in Chandler, AZ. Our school provides students with a spacious environment featuring over 5,000 square feet of state-of-the-art training space, premium safety mats, and dedicated athletic equipment.
Beyond elite training, our civic heritage runs deep. Master Paul McGowan serves on the advisory board of the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities organization, actively cultivating cross-cultural, educational, and community athletic exchanges between Chandler, Arizona and Tullamore, Ireland.
Contact
Call us, text us, email us, or use this form to send us a message.
