Mixed Martial Arts
at Baltimore Martial Arts Academy

The Baltimore Martial Arts Academy has several Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) programs to suit a variety of needs. Let's face it, we all have different goals for our martial arts education, and we're all at different points in our lives as far as fitness level, schedule, and abilities. While competition may be an option for some, others have no interest in joining a highly competitive environment.

BMAA understands these needs and has devised a program schedule to accommodate everyone, from the beginner who just wants to learn some moves seen in the UFC® to the more experienced fighter who wants to train hard and compete in grappling, kickboxing, or mixed martial arts bouts.

In general, Mixed Martial Arts classes combine the best of many martial arts, including striking, grappling, and wrestling. Our MMA programs are unlike most traditional styles with belt ranks, but they are organized into specific curriculums for each class. Students should expect a challenging but fun workout in a safe atmosphere. MMA students do not need to wear a Judo-gi or other uniform. Shorts and a t-shirt along with other protective gear (mouthguard, cup, and gloves) is acceptable dress for this class. For health and safety reasons shirts (regular t-shirts or tight-fitting shirts) are required for class.

Those wishing to compete or train for competition in various fighting organizations are welcome and encouraged. We do ask all students be respectful of the other students and instructors. All students must always practice with control to avoid injuring their partners during practice. All ability levels are welcome.

The MMA program incorporates striking found in Karate, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Boxing with wrestling takedowns and takedown defense, Judo grappling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling and submissions. The submissions covered include chokes, arm locks, wrist locks, ankle locks, knee locks, and neck holds. Striking includes punching, kicking, knees, and elbows from standing positions, clinched (close-in) positions, and on the ground.

Want to Fight or Train like a Fighter?

MMA Sport

MMA Sport classes are the hardcore, anything goes, train hard, fight hard classes. You can expect to work on striking, throws, wrestling, submissions, and sport-specific conditioning in these classes. Expect a challenging workout and tough, but friendly competition. We want all of our classes to be completely safe, but the MMA Sport classes generally have the highest intensity. These classes will contain sparring. Anyone sparring must have full protective gear and must always practice control in striking, takedowns, and submissions.

The MMA Sport program is taught by Sensei Gary Berger. Sensei Gary combines striking, takedowns, grappling, and submissions into a complete art that covers stand up fighting, wrestling, ground fighting, and sport fighting as seen in the UFC® and other MMA fight leagues, as well as specific fight strategies for each fighter (such as Ground & Pound or Sprawl & Brawl). The program also includes extensive sport-specific conditioning to help athletes become more powerful and gain more endurance in competitive situations.

Fighting isn't for you?

MMA Lite

The MMA Lite program is headed by Shaun Wilson. This class focuses on the exact same techniques and applications that the MMA Sport class focuses on, but in a lower intensity, more controlled manner. Students are encouraged to cooperate and work with each other to learn techniques and tactics in this environment, instead of competing against each other.

Those who aren't sure they're ready for the challenge of the sport programs or who are very concerned about injury should try out this class first. Students can always switch to a different program at BMAA.

MMA Self Defense

Mixed Martial Arts is generally taught as a sport-fighting system, and advertised as great a self-defense system. The reality is that while the skills learned are great for self-defense, the drills and strategies used for competition in a ring or cage are completely different than what's needed in a street defense situation.

Very rarely are self-defense situations one-on-one matches between even-weight opponents. Very often a person is confronted with multiple attackers, weapons, and conditions far more dangerous than a padded ring. On the streets there are no referees and no assurance that there is only one unarmed attacker.

MMA Self Defense incorporates many of the same techniques from the other MMA classes, but applies them differently using a street/self-defense mentality. This class deals with striking, throws, and submissions, but also escapes, finishes (incapacitation, chokes, pins, bone-breaking, etc.), multiple attackers, and weapons. This class also focuses on techniques applicable only to life or death situations that are barred in so-called "No Holds Barred" fighting systems. 

The goal of this style is to be realistic, yet safe. This is not a highly competitive class, but students are encouraged to practice and experiment with various skills to assure they will work on the street. This class is taught by Jeff Mims and is derived primarily from Aikido, Judo, Karate, Muay Thai, and Ju-Jitsu. Students have the option of wearing a gi for this class.