Baton Rouge’s Original Jiu Jitsu Academy
Train at the source. Beginners welcome, first class free.
Why JM Modern Jiu Jitsu?
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Baton Rouge’s home for Jiu Jitsu since 2016. Gi, No Gi, MMA, Russian Sambo and Kids programs, with classes morning, noon and night, seven days a week. Never trained before? Our beginner classes start you from zero. Already rolling? You’ll find a deep room of black belts and competitors to push you.
30+ classes a week · Open 7 days · 4 private showers · 6am, 11am & evening classes
Train before work or on your lunch break. Shower, change, and get on with your day.
Led by Josh Mancuso, Baton Rouge’s first homegrown black belt, with 40+ black belts promoted and many of the city’s coaches trained here. Train at the source.
What is Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), often called the “Gentle Art,” is a martial art rooted in leverage, technique, and strategy over brute strength. It empowers individuals of all ages and body types to defend themselves effectively - without relying on size or power.
At its core, Jiu-Jitsu is about control, discipline, and personal growth.
Through structured training, students develop not only self-defence skills but also confidence, resilience, and lifelong fitness. It's a journey of mental and physical transformation—on and off the mats.
Kids classes start at age 3. Jiu Jitsu builds real confidence in kids. Every new stripe and belt proves that hard work pays off, and that confidence follows them to school and everywhere else. It’s also the best answer to bullying. Kids learn to protect themselves and control a situation without striking, and a confident kid is less likely to be targeted in the first place. Along the way they build strength, focus, discipline, and respect as part of a supportive team.
Kids Jiu Jitsu builds real confidence. Each class gives children challenges to work through, and every new stripe and belt proves that hard work pays off. That confidence goes with them to school and everywhere else.
It's also a great answer to bullying. Kids learn to protect themselves and control a situation without striking, and a confident child is less likely to be targeted in the first place.
On top of that, Jiu Jitsu builds strength, coordination, and endurance through training that feels like play. It teaches focus, discipline, and respect, and helps kids learn to handle wins and losses with good sportsmanship, all while being part of a supportive team.
Real Self Defense
Our self defense program teaches real skills that work when it matters. Built on Gracie Jiu Jitsu and passed down directly from Carlson Gracie, our training shows you how to escape grabs and chokes, stay on your feet, and control an attacker on the ground. We blend in wrestling, Judo, and Sambo so you're ready standing up, in the clinch, and on the ground, and every technique is tested with live training so you know it works. Our classes are tailored specifically for beginners. We teach each technique step by step, build a strong foundation before adding anything new, and keep the pace and intensity right for people just starting out. You'll train with supportive partners in a welcoming environment with no egos. No experience or fitness level is needed, and your first class is free.
Where do I start?
Your first class is free. Pick the path that fits you.
We rotate Gi and No Gi by day. We'll tell you what to wear.