Former UFC fighter and first WEC Middleweight Champion Chris Leben founded The Training Center, a martial arts gym on the third floor of 2949 Garnet Ave in Pacific Beach, 92109. Leben compiled 22 middleweight fights in the UFC—the most in division history at the time—and was a cast member on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter before retiring from competition to focus on coaching. The jiu-jitsu program is led by Baret Yoshida, a world champion grappler whose signature submission techniques, collectively known as Baret Submissions, are headquartered at this facility and licensed to academies around the world. Classes span boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and the gym is also home to a competitive MMA team that trains by invitation. Practitioners looking to cross-train in a gi-focused environment will find another strong option at Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Pacific Beach, located further west on Garnet. The Training Center is veteran-owned and holds a perfect 5.0-star Google rating across 60 reviews, with members praising the welcoming culture that makes beginners and experienced fighters feel equally at home. The purpose-built space features separate stand-up striking sections and open rolling areas, all outfitted with top-of-the-line mats, bags, and pads. After a hard evening session, the Garnet Ave dining scene is right downstairs—Dirty Birds Pacific Beach serves wings and cold beers just blocks west. The gym is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with free trial classes available for newcomers.