Baltimore, Maryland, affectionately dubbed Charm City, isn’t just known for its vibrant culture and stunning harbor – it’s also a hotspot for martial arts buffs looking for top-tier MMA gyms.
Ready to dive into the world of MMA in Baltimore? We’ve scoured the city to bring you the crème de la crème of MMA gyms. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, get ready to find your new training home below. Let’s jump right in!
Table of Contents
Crazy 88
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 7024 Troy Hill Dr Suite L, Elkridge, MD 21075
- Phone: (443) 283-1450
Crazy 88 MMA is a fully-equipped facility that trains champions in mixed martial arts.
This MMA gym is family-friendly and open to every student, regardless of their skill level. You can choose programs on Muay Thai, BJJ, MMA, wrestling, and boxing.
Students here often compete in local and international tournaments. If you or your child demonstrate significant interest in the competitive scene, coaches ensure the assistance to prepare for a fight.
If you are looking for a fulfilling activity for your child, a summer camp is available for kids and teens ages 6 to 13.
They offer a 7-day free trial if you’d like to test out their program and instruction. Well worth it.
Practical MMA
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 2909 Sparrows Point Rd, Edgemere, MD 21219, United States
Practical MMA is a full-time training center located in the heart of Baltimore, offering professional and affordable martial arts programs for adults, kids, and families.
They pride themselves on maintaining a friendly atmosphere where everyone is treated with respect.
The gym’s core philosophy is in Jeet Kune Do principles, which encourages the combination of martial arts styles.
Students are encouraged to absorb what is useful, discard what isn’t, and add what is uniquely their own. It’s a philosophy famously defined by the late Bruce Lee.
They have classes for BJJ, kickboxing, USA boxing, and Jeet Kune Do / Kali self-defense orientated classes. Women and children also have their dedicated programs.
The gym offers a first class for just $10, making it an affordable option for those wanting to dip their toes and see if it’s the right home for them.
Baltimore Martial Arts Academy
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 6565 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228
- Phone: (410) 465-7799
Baltimore Martial Arts Academy offers an excellent variety of martial arts and fitness programs in the area.
This academy is owned and headed by martial artist Gary and his wife, Danyelle Berger. This academy is great for everyone who wants to get started in MMA.
Their martial arts program offerings range from BJJ to Arnis (Kali) to unarmed self-defense classes and Aikido.
The kids’ programs include BJJ, Judo, and Kung Fu.
You can also use their fitness programs to strengthen and tone your body which helps with all kinds of martial arts. You can sign up for a free trial class in any of their programs.
Conquest BJJ
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 311 Serendipity Dr, Millersville, MD 21108
- Phone: (443) 668-9769
Conquest BJJ started way back in 2009 but was established with its complete facilities and equipment in Millersville.
This gym offers an ideal training environment for students who are in it for recreation, fitness, or competition.
Roll on their mats with their BJJ program available for kids, men, and women-only settings.
Kickboxing and wrestling are also open to kids and adults. Their Muay Thai and MMA programs are good for competitive skill training.
Krav Maga, a specialized self-defense system, is also offered for adults.
You may check out their website for a detailed schedule of their weekly classes. There’s also a 7-day free trial class for adults or kids martial arts.
301 MMA
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 750 Route 3 South, Suite C21, Gambrills, MD 21054
- Phone: (410) 697-3684
301 MMA offers BJJ and striking programs for adults and kids ages 5-11.
The BJJ class for kids and adults is available in Gi and No-Gi, from fundamentals to advanced and mixed to women-only courses.
Striking requires you to bring your hand wraps and gloves, but it’s beginner-friendly otherwise.
Open mats in Gi and No-Gi are also available.
If you want to increase in ranks and join tournaments, their competition team training focuses on developing your skills and techniques. Take advantage of their free trial class.
American Muay Thai
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Muay Thai
- Location: 8639 Loch Raven Blvd, Towson, MD 21286
- Phone: (443) 388-8405
American Muay Thai specializes in beginner to advanced Muay Thai, with other programs on boxing and kickboxing.
Jesse Swain is the head coach alongside a team that will diligently train you based on your age and experience level for your chosen martial arts.
Their premiere Muay Thai program combines traditional Muay Thai, Dutch-style kickboxing, and American boxing.
This program is designed for the competitive scene but also fitness. You’ll be punching and kicking with effective technique.
Don’t get intimidated because they provide conditioning classes for their programs to ensure that you’ll be pumped up to strike those heavy bags.
Open mats are also available for you to employ the techniques from your instructors.
Zenyo Jiu-Jitsu
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 3600 Clipper Mill Rd #1, Baltimore, MD 21211
- Phone: (443) 301-7679
Zenyo Jiu-Jitsu centers on providing premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes to adults and kids in hopes of unleashing their inner martial artist spirit.
If you’ve wanted to spice up your fitness journey, BJJ in a healthy environment like this can be highly rewarding.
John David Emmett is the leading coach and offers excellent instruction to students across all skill levels.
Children’s classes are further divided into three age groups to train them with their peers.
You can choose group training in a relaxed but conducive environment where pricing varies from a monthly individual installment to a family plan of 2 or 3 members.
Closed on Saturdays, but good option for most of the week for the family.
Ground Control
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 8303 Pulaski Hwy ste b, Rosedale, MD 21237
- Phone: (410) 340-5925
Ground Control provides various martial arts programs for children and adults to reach physical fitness and polish their skills on the mat with expert help.
This gym is headed by the first Renzo Gracie Blackbelt in the state, Professor John Rallo.
Children’s and teens’ martial arts programs are tailored to the needs of the students to learn real-world fighting skills with the arts of BJJ, Karate, and boxing in a safe environment.
They also offer exclusive BJJ training for women.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, and Yoga classes are available. If you are ready to drill and roll in their academy, you can make use of their free 7-day trial class.
College Park Mixed Martial Arts
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★ 4/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 11890 Old Baltimore Pike E, Beltsville, MD 20705
- Phone: (301) 246-0181
College Park MMA has offered delightful yet intense and competitive mixed martial arts classes for children and adults in the area since 2012.
This was founded by second-degree BJJ black belt Joshua Peters who also dabbled in other martial arts.
They have an MMA program for kids ages 2-4 and a separate one for children ages 5-12, both for skills improvement.
While the traditional adult BJJ program is instructed in Gi, a No-Gi class is also available.
The striking program combines Western boxing with San Shou and Muay Thai to give you a unique technique mix.
If you’re interested, they also offer a free trial so you can see their instruction and train like a future champion.
Baltimore Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 3431 Benson Ave Suite C, Baltimore, MD 21227
- Phone: (443) 835-1116
Baltimore Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has been providing authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with practical techniques for self-defense since 2014.
Their classes were structured by owner Nick Tissue’s desire to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in a family-friendly set-up for the youth and adults, whether beginner or more advanced.
Every program begins with an introduction to martial arts and warm-ups before partnering with another student to train with.
They also offer the Master Cycle program to equip students with advanced techniques to move above their blue belts.
Their monthly class schedule is available online, and if you are ready to gear up and grapple on their mats, they have a free 10-day trial.
A generous trial period to easily be able to get in several sessions and discover if this is right for you.
Kanjizai Academy of Jiu-Jitsu
Our Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 514 E Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, MD 21212
- Phone: (410) 294-4208
Kanjizai Academy of Jiu-Jitsu gives their students an authentic Jiu-Jitsu experience as they find better ways to incorporate technical self-defense skills into martial arts.
This gym is owned by fourth-degree Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt Kevin Lockett and co-owned by martial artist and child-care professional Monica Merino.
You can sign up for the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu program, which focuses on instilling core principles beyond the competitions on the mats.
Meanwhile, the tactical Jiu-Jitsu program is meant for techniques on the battlefield using Japanese Jujutsu with modern training tools.
You may find their schedule on their official website, from group training to Gi and No-Gi classes.
This gym also offers 10 days of free access to give them a real spin.
Form Jiu Jitsu Academy
MMA Hive Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: 3700 O’Donnell Street #240, Baltimore, MD 21224
- Phone: (443) 301-6867
Form Jiu-Jitsu Academy was established by fighter and head instructor Rick Slomba in 2017.
He hoped that students, kids or adults, beginners or Jiu-Jitsu masters, would find and continue their journey in their academy’s fun and safe environment.
Professor Slomba is a 2nd-degree Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt under the prolific Mendes Brothers.
Their techniques are applied to the basics and advanced Gi programs, as well as their No-Gi classes. Essential and beginning techniques and supervised sparring are available for kids’ classes.
Classes are offered six days a week. You can try out their one-day pass to see their facility and premiere instruction.