Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu built on leverage, timing, and systematic progress. Gi and no-gi,
from first-day fundamentals to advanced rounds. Train under Alliance 3rd Degree Black Belt David Close,
student of Rafael Rosendo Dos Santos.
This is a complete Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu system to take you from white belt to black belt
and every belt in between. Classes cover the full range of the art — standing, ground, and
transitions — with equal attention to both sides of every exchange.
Positional control — mount, side control, back control
Escapes and guard retention
Guard play and sweeps
Submissions and submission defense
Takedowns and throws
Live rolling against full resistance
Beginners are coached through fundamentals and structured drilling. Higher belts work on
timing, pressure, and the details that separate good technique from reliable technique.
Ways to Train
Gi Jiu-Jitsu
All levels · Uniform worn
Traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the gi.
No-Gi & Live Rolling
All levels · No uniform
Submission grappling without the gi — no cloth grips, so control comes from underhooks,
overhooks, and body position, at a faster pace with more scrambles.
Competition
For members preparing to compete
Focused training for athletes who want higher intensity, specific preparation, and live rounds
oriented toward competition demands.
Youth & Teen BJJ
Ages 6 and up
Kids and teens build discipline, coordination, and confidence on the mat as part of our Youth
program. See the Youth program →
Weekly Schedule
David Close BJJ class times at X-Zen Sports, Greenville, SC
Day
Classes
Monday
No Gi
Gi Level 1
Gi Level 1
No Gi Level 1
Tuesday
No Gi
No Gi
Competition
Competition
Wednesday
No Gi
Gi Level 1
Judo
Gi Level 1
No Gi Level 1
Thursday
No Gi
No Gi
No Gi Live Roll
No Gi Live Roll
Friday
No Gi Live Roll
Gi Situational Live
Saturday
Open Mat
Sunday
Closed
Kids and Teens Train Too
Youth BJJ runs Monday and Wednesday afternoons; Teen BJJ runs Tuesday and Thursday afternoons as part
of our Youth program. See the Youth program →
Gi = uniform worn; No Gi = no uniform.
Membership Options
David Close BJJ is available exclusively at X-Zen Sports with an X-Zen membership.
Single Art
$149/month
Unlimited Jiu-Jitsu classes, plus gym equipment and sauna access.
Unlimited access to all martial arts and training programs at X-Zen, plus gym equipment and sauna access.
Military / First Responder
$99/month
Unlimited classes in any one program, plus gym equipment and sauna access. $50 a month off the Single Art rate.
Meet the Coaches
David Close
Head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Judo Coach
David Close has trained martial arts since 1996 and competed extensively in karate, judo, and
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He earned his BJJ black belt in 2015 under Rafael Rosendo Dos Santos of Alliance
Jiu-Jitsu and now holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, along
with black belts in Kyokushinkai Karate, Han Mu Do, Hapkido, and Akayama Ryu Jujitsu.
For more than 20 years, David has coached athletes in BJJ, Judo, and MMA — developing
competitors from their first class to the professional level, including UFC, PFL, and Bellator
fighters. He pairs that experience with an engineer’s background (degrees in Electrical and
Industrial Engineering), bringing a precise, analytical approach to teaching. His focus: technically
skilled, mentally resilient, respectful martial artists at every age and level.
Scott “Smitty” Smith
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach
Scott “Smitty” Smith has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2009 and earned his black belt
in 2019. Like many early fans of the sport, he was drawn in by Royce Gracie in the first UFC events, and
he started with no wrestling, combat sports, or martial arts background. His primary coaches throughout
have been Rafael Rosendo Dos Santos and David Close.
Smitty began coaching in 2019 with an early-morning class of a handful of beginners. That class has
grown steadily in size and skill, and today he leads No-Gi classes at X-Zen. His coaching centers on
patience, structure, and live situational training, so students apply what they drill in realistic
situations.
He believes experienced students should help the ones coming up behind them. One of his favorite parts
of coaching is watching someone with no grappling experience grow into a student who helps newer
students.
“If you train with me, you can expect patience, respect, and a determination to help you learn the
fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu.”
Your First Visit
Start with a free intro class. Wear athletic clothes and bring a water bottle. Your
coach will walk you through the class format and place you at the appropriate level — no experience
required.
X-Zen Sports, Greenville, South Carolina.
Questions? Call (864) 214-3174.
