World Champion Opens Underworld BJJ Gym to Transform DC Community

On January 11, 2025, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) World Champion Danielle Gallo and her fiancé, Aidan Oates, opened the Underworld BJJ gym on H Street in Washington, D.C. This new facility aims to provide a community-driven space for fitness, fun, and competitive sports, offering a variety of classes tailored for all ages and skill levels.

Creating a Positive Impact through Jiu Jitsu

Underworld BJJ features an extensive schedule that includes classes seven days a week. Offerings range from beginner sessions and children’s classes to women’s-only training and competition preparation. Gallo, who was recently crowned the 2025 Purple Belt Jiu Jitsu World Champion, expressed her vision for the gym as a transformative space for the local community. “BJJ is an incredibly powerful tool for building an active lifestyle and learning real-world skills,” she stated. “Its real superpower is the lasting impact: confidence, resilience, discipline, and a place to call home.”

Gallo shared her own inspiring journey with the sport, highlighting how Jiu Jitsu helped her overcome significant challenges. “When I first began Jiu Jitsu, I was in the darkest place mentally and physically I had ever been,” she recalled. “I weighed 82 pounds of skin and bones and felt isolated and hopeless. Jiu Jitsu was the thing that entirely rebuilt my life. Today, just five years later, I am a World Champion and a DC business owner.”

Building Community and Connection

The opening of Underworld BJJ is not just about fitness; it aims to foster human connection and a sense of belonging. Gallo and Oates envision the gym as a crucial hub for families and friends to gather, learn skills, and create lasting memories together. In response to recent challenges, including federal layoffs that affected the D.C. community, the gym has already made waves by offering free memberships and self-defense workshops. They also organized free movie nights and picnics, encouraging families from across D.C. to come together.

As Gallo and Oates strive to create an inclusive environment, they emphasize that the gym is a space where everyone can work hard and support one another. “A community can be built around people committed to showing up and working hard,” Gallo said. “It’s about sweat, laughter, and building lasting relationships.”

The grand opening event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony for families, featuring games and sparring activities from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a second ceremony with open sparring and refreshments for adults starting at 12:00 PM. This celebration invites the public to experience what makes Underworld BJJ a unique and special addition to the H Street community.

With a focus on personal growth and community connection, Underworld BJJ aims to make a positive impact in Washington, D.C., one roll at a time.