Roufusport, a Milwaukee martial arts academy covering MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai, BJJ, and boxing, shows 4.7 from 64 reviews, and its five written reviews are unusually specific for a combat-sports gym: they name the head coach directly and describe training alongside professional fighters as a routine, not a rare event.
A Named Head Coach, Credentialed Directly
Grim Blithe's review makes the strongest specific claim in the batch: "The head coach, Duke Roufus, is considered among many to be the best Muay Thai instructor outside of Thailand! Top it all of with how friendly, welcoming and helpful everyone here is... I might just stay in Wisconsin after I get my bachelor's degree just so I can keep training here. It really is like a family." That's a specific, credentialed claim about the head coach's standing in the sport, not vague praise - and a personal decision (staying in the state after graduation just to keep training) that reflects real commitment.
Training Next to Professional Fighters, Confirmed Independently
North Augusta Martial Arts, a reviewer with over 20 years in martial arts himself, gives the most detailed account of what a session here actually looks like: "I personally train here 1 to 2 times a year to simply further my own martial arts skill and knowledge. I enjoyed the information the Duke, Coach Cush, Professor Wanderley, and Coach Nicols give to their students and classes so much that I became not only a Roufusport Kickboxing affiliate, but I recently became a BJJ affiliate as well... Its amazing to be taking regular classes and end up right next to UFC and Bellator fighters doing the same techniques and drills you are." Four coaches named directly, from a reviewer with two decades of experience elsewhere - I'd weigh that credibility heavily when he specifically confirms training alongside UFC and Bellator fighters as a regular occurrence, not a one-time novelty.
Consistency From Decades of Experience
Michael Stavropoulos keeps his review brief but specific about tenure: "Duke Roufus has always been a man of integrity and his team is fantastic. I'm speaking from decades of experience." Alex Granado describes a specific, positive first-visit experience: "Signed up for my free classes and was welcomed from the minute I walked in! Incredible staff and coaches."
A Practical Note on Equipment, From a Weightlifting Angle
Matthew Harris's review adds a detail that matters if you're combining strength training with martial arts here: "I didn't wait for a squat rack or bench press. Great update from the automatic machines." That's a specific, practical confirmation that the gym isn't just mats and bags - there's usable strength equipment without long waits.
What's Missing
No review states class or membership pricing. Nothing confirms whether the specific coaches named - Duke Roufus, Coach Cush, Professor Wanderley, Coach Nicols - are all still teaching regularly. The most recent written review is from September 2020, more than five years old now.
Who It's Not For
Anyone intimidated by training alongside professional fighters - multiple reviewers describe this as a routine occurrence, which could cut either way depending on what you're looking for. Anyone who needs current staffing information, since the written record stops in 2020.
Lower level below Blue's Egg Cafe, 321 N 76th St, Milwaukee, WI 53213, USA. The website is roufusport.com.
