Business Details
Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense Training in Dayton, OH
Dayton Mixed Martial Arts Academy was founded to provide authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts training rooted in family values, discipline, and personal growth. Under the leadership of Chris Lehman, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Renzo Gracie, our academy emphasizes technical excellence, self-defense, and character development. We offer classes for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners, including specialized programs in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Submission Grappling, and Bully Awareness. Our mission is to create a supportive community where students build physical fitness, mental resilience, and life skills. With decades of combined experience, our instructors prioritize safety, respect, and individualized attention.We maintain strong ties to the Renzo Gracie lineage, ensuring our students receive world-class instruction. Our family-oriented environment fosters camaraderie, making martial arts accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We are committed to transparency, ethical teaching, and empowering students to achieve their full potential. Whether training for competition, self-defense, or personal wellness, our academy provides the tools for success. We invite you to experience our unique culture and join a global network of martial artists dedicated to growth and mutual support.
Services
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Muay Thai Kickboxing
Self Defense
Submission Grappling
Bully Awareness
Highlights and features
- We offer expert instruction from a Renzo Gracie-certified Black Belt with decades of martial arts experience.
- Our family-friendly environment fosters respect, discipline, and community for all skill levels.
- Specialized programs include Bully Awareness, Muay Thai, and competition-ready Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- We provide free trial classes with no commitment to experience our training firsthand.
- Our curriculum blends technical precision with life skills for holistic personal development.
What people say
Phenomenal instruction
Perfect fit
Fun environment
Family-friendly atmosphere
Expertise in Jiu-Jitsu
Services
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on grappling and ground fighting to enable smaller individuals to control larger opponents through leverage and technique. Our program develops physical conditioning, strategic thinking, and self-defense proficiency. Students progress through structured ranks while building confidence and discipline in a supportive environment.
Muay Thai Kickboxing
Muay Thai teaches striking using fists, elbows, knees, and shins, emphasizing full-body coordination and cardiovascular endurance. Our classes blend traditional techniques with modern training methods to improve agility, power, and practical self-defense capabilities in a dynamic, high-energy setting.
Self Defense
Self Defense classes combine practical techniques from Jiu-Jitsu, striking, and situational awareness to prepare students for real-world threats. We emphasize de-escalation tactics, boundary setting, and physical responses tailored to individual needs and safety scenarios.
Submission Grappling
Submission Grappling focuses on takedowns, positional control, and joint locks without traditional uniforms, increasing speed and athleticism. This sport-oriented discipline enhances reflexes, adaptability, and competitive readiness while maintaining technical precision and safety standards.
Bully Awareness
Our Bully Awareness program teaches children to recognize, prevent, and respond to bullying through confidence-building exercises and non-violent self-defense techniques. Classes emphasize communication skills, emotional resilience, and peer support in a structured environment promoting respect and personal safety.
People
Chris Lehman
Owner/Instructor
Chris Lehman is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Renzo Gracie with over 25 years of martial arts experience. He specializes in teaching all ages, blending technical expertise with character development. His teaching philosophy emphasizes family values, discipline, and practical self-defense applications.
Questions
What martial arts do you teach?
We specialize in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Submission Grappling, and Self Defense, with dedicated Bully Awareness programs for children.
Do you offer trial classes?
Yes, we provide a free 2-week trial with unlimited classes to help you experience our training environment and instruction quality.
Are classes available for beginners?
All classes are open to all skill levels, with instructors providing personalized guidance to ensure beginners feel comfortable and progress effectively.
What are the benefits of training at your academy?
Students gain improved physical fitness, self-defense skills, confidence, and mental resilience while becoming part of a supportive martial arts community.
How experienced are your instructors?
Our lead instructor, Chris Lehman, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Renzo Gracie with over 25 years of martial arts experience and competition background.
