A family academy with a veteran's standard.

Patriot Martial Arts Academy is a family home for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Machida Karate in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley. We're here for real self-defense, real fitness, and the kind of community that turns a workout into the best part of your week. Everyone belongs, from a first-day white belt to a seasoned black belt.

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Coach Rhett with an Arizona State Championship gold medal

Meet your coach

Coach Rhett

William “Rhett” Sandoval has trained in martial arts for over 40 years and holds black belts in four disciplines. He is an IBJJF certified Black Belt under Carlos Farias, and earned his Machida Karate black belt directly under Sensei Chinzo Machida.

In 2000 he joined the U.S. Army as a Field Artilleryman, and deployed as an Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom — earning the Combat Action Badge before his honorable discharge in 2006. He runs Patriot on one idea: train people the way you'd want your own family trained.

Taekwondo — Black Belt GM Sun Duk Choi · 1989
American Kenpo — Black Belt Fred De’Palma · 1996
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — IBJJF Certified Black Belt Carlos Farias · 2020
Machida Karate — Black Belt Chinzo Machida · 2023

Gold — 2024 & 2025 Veterans Breakthrough, Master Black Belt Super Fight · Multiple-time AZ State BJJ Champion, Black Belt · AZBJJF Top-3 ranked Black Belt

“Quality instruction in a positive environment — built to develop mental, physical, and spiritual growth.”

Come train with us

Lineage

Who we learn from.

Coach Rhett still trains under his own instructors in both arts — so the standard he holds you to traces directly back to theirs.

Professors Carlos Farias and Roberto Traven

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Carlos Farias & Roberto Traven

Coach Rhett earned his BJJ black belt under Professor Carlos Farias — a lineage that runs through Roberto Traven and back to the Gracie family.

Sensei Chinzo Machida and Sensei Lyoto Machida

Machida Karate

Chinzo & Lyoto Machida

Coach Rhett is certified directly under Sensei Chinzo Machida — of the renowned Machida Karate family, alongside Sensei Lyoto Machida.

The Patriot method

Three things we build.

Belts and trophies are the byproduct. These are the point.

Skill

Real technique, pressure-tested against someone trying to stop you. We teach the details step by step, not theory you can't use when it counts.

Discipline

You earn your rank by showing up and doing the work. No shortcuts, no bought belts, no participation trophies.

Character

Composure under pressure, respect for the people across from you, and the confidence to carry yourself well off the mat.

Veteran-owned & operated

Be. Know. Do.

Coach Rhett served in the U.S. Army as a Field Artilleryman, and deployed as an Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He runs Patriot on the Army’s own leadership standard — Be, Know, Do: be a person of character, know your craft and keep sharpening it, and do the work while lifting up the people training next to you.

Coach Rhett during his U.S. Army deployment in Baqubah, Iraq, 2004 — Coach Rhett · Baqubah, Iraq · 2004

What we stand for

Mission & vision.

Quality instruction in a positive environment to develop mental, physical, and spiritual growth.

To be the premier martial arts facility for Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and the surrounding cities — clean, safe, and family-friendly.

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