Styles we offer and our approach to teaching!

Our Lineage: A Direct Line to Carlson Gracie

At JM Modern Jiu Jitsu in Baton Rouge, you train in authentic Gracie Jiu Jitsu passed down through one of the most respected lineages in the sport. Our roots go straight back to the legendary Carlson Gracie:

Carlson Gracie to Rodrigo Medeiros to Tim Credeur to Josh Mancuso to YOU

That puts our students just four steps from Carlson Gracie himself. Carlson was famous for building tough, practical fighters, and his approach shaped modern Jiu Jitsu and MMA. That same focus on real world effectiveness and live training is at the heart of everything we teach.

Our Training Styles & Curriculum

Built on that Gracie foundation, our hybrid curriculum blends the best techniques from multiple martial arts so you can protect yourself and your family in any situation. Most real fights end up in a clinch or on the ground, and that's exactly where our students excel.

Whether your goal is self defense, competition, or getting in the best shape of your life, our training gives you practical skills that work under real pressure.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)

The foundation of our academy and one of the most effective self defense systems ever developed. Gracie Jiu Jitsu uses leverage, technique, and timing so a smaller person can control and neutralize a larger, stronger attacker. We train both Gi and No Gi, so you'll be ready whether you're wearing a jacket or a t shirt. You'll learn how to escape bad positions, get back to your feet safely, and control an attacker without throwing a single punch.

Folkstyle Wrestling

The style of American high school and college wrestling. Folkstyle builds a strong base, heavy top pressure, and explosive takedowns. For self defense, that means you decide whether the fight stays standing or goes to the ground, and you stay on top when it does.

Freestyle Wrestling

The Olympic style known for fast takedowns, throws, and scrambles. Freestyle sharpens your timing and awareness, helping you react quickly and take control the moment someone grabs you.

Greco Roman Wrestling

Greco Roman focuses entirely on the upper body: hand fighting, body locks, and powerful throws. Since most real altercations start with grabbing and shoving, these clinch skills are some of the most valuable self defense tools you can have.

Judo

The legendary Japanese art of throws and trips. Judo teaches you to use an attacker's own momentum against them, stay on your feet, and put them on the ground while you remain in control.

Russian Sambo

The name literally means "self defense without weapons." Developed for real world combat, Sambo blends wrestling and Judo with aggressive takedowns and leg locks, giving our students a practical and unpredictable edge.

Why Our Approach Works for Self Defense

Real confrontations are chaotic, and you can't afford gaps in your skills. By combining the Gracie Jiu Jitsu you get from the Carlson Gracie line, the takedowns and positioning of wrestling, the throws of Judo, and the toughness of Sambo, we give you a complete system for staying safe standing up, in the clinch, and on the ground. Every technique is pressure tested with live training, so you know it works.

Ready to Learn to Protect Yourself?

No experience or fitness level required. Our instructors will guide you every step of the way in a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment. Classes are available for adults and kids.