Business Details
13 Years
experience
Premier Jiu Jitsu & MMA Training in Baton Rouge
JM Modern Jiu Jitsu was founded in 2013 with a mission to redefine martial arts education through innovation, inclusivity, and technical excellence. Our head instructor, Josh Mancuso, has been a cornerstone of the Baton Rouge jiu-jitsu community since 2007, producing over 30 black belts and cultivating a culture of adaptability and problem-solving. Our 6,500-square-foot facility features state-of-the-art training spaces, including two mat areas and modern amenities, designed to accommodate students of all ages and skill levels. We specialize in a hybrid curriculum blending Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, Judo, and Sambo, ensuring practical, real-world effectiveness. Our commitment to cleanliness and safety is unmatched, with rigorous post-class sanitation protocols to protect our community.We serve a diverse student base ranging from children as young as five to UFC professionals, emphasizing personalized growth over cookie-cutter instruction. Our constraint-led teaching methodology fosters creativity and technical mastery, distinguishing us from traditional academies. With classes available from morning to night, including competition-focused and beginner-friendly sessions, we prioritize accessibility and lifelong learning. Our team of world-class instructors brings decades of combined experience in both competition and instruction, ensuring students receive elite-level guidance. Whether your goal is self-defense, physical fitness, or competitive excellence, we provide the tools and support to help you achieve it in a welcoming, community-driven environment.
Services
NoGi Jiu Jitsu
Gi Jiu Jitsu
Mixed Martial Arts
Kids Jiu Jitsu
Self Defense
Competition Training
Morning Classes
Beginner Programs
Women's Martial Arts
Youth Development
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We offer a unique constraint-led teaching methodology developed over 16 years of elite instruction.
- Our academy produces world-class competitors while maintaining beginner-friendly programming.
- We maintain rigorous hygiene standards in a 6,500 sq ft facility designed for optimal training.
- Our instructors include UFC veterans and championship-level practitioners across multiple disciplines.
- We serve students aged 3-65 with personalized pathways from first steps to black belt achievement.
What people say
World-class instructors
Clean, modern facility
Great for all skill levels
Effective teaching methods
Supportive community
Services
NoGi Jiu Jitsu
Our NoGi Jiu Jitsu program focuses on leverage-based techniques and submission holds seen in UFC competitions. This dynamic style builds core strength, reflexes, and confidence through practical application. Students learn to control opponents without traditional uniforms, emphasizing real-world self-defense scenarios and competitive grappling strategies.
Gi Jiu Jitsu
Structured Gi Jiu Jitsu classes teach fundamental techniques using the traditional uniform. Our step-by-step curriculum builds foundational skills in positional control and submission techniques. This program develops discipline, coordination, and strategic thinking while maintaining accessibility for complete beginners through expert-guided progression.
Mixed Martial Arts
Our MMA program integrates striking, grappling, and cage control techniques in a safe, technical environment. Using the constraint-led approach, students develop well-rounded skills applicable to competition or self-defense. Safety-focused instruction emphasizes controlled sparring and injury prevention while building practical fighting capabilities across multiple disciplines.
Kids Jiu Jitsu
Designed for children aged 5 and up, our kids' program builds confidence, discipline, and self-defense skills. Classes balance technical instruction with character development, teaching problem-solving and resilience. The curriculum prepares students for competition while emphasizing safety, respect, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
Self Defense
Specialized self-defense courses teach effective techniques for real-world scenarios. Students learn to neutralize threats using leverage-based methods applicable to street confrontations. The program emphasizes de-escalation strategies, situational awareness, and practical application against larger opponents through controlled drills and scenario-based training.
People
Josh Mancuso
Head Instructor
3rd-degree black belt with 16 years of teaching experience, producing over 30 black belts. Founder of Baton Rouge's premier jiu-jitsu academy, specializing in innovative constraint-led instruction methods for all skill levels.
Tim Credeur
MMA Coach
UFC veteran and former Ultimate Fighter competitor. Brings decades of elite fighting experience to develop well-rounded martial artists, having coached UFC champion Dustin Poirier and numerous other professional fighters through technical, competition-focused instruction.
Ashley Hollingshead
General Manager
Multiple-time Pan-American and World Champion. Leads women's programs with championship expertise, creating empowering training environments that combine technical excellence with community building through her leadership and competitive experience.
Sarah Davila
Kids Coach
Experienced brown belt specializing in youth competition training. Develops young athletes' skills and mindset through personalized instruction, combining martial arts expertise with mentorship to build confidence and competitive readiness in Saturday programs.
Zach Cothren
Submission Wrestling Coach
Dynamic black belt competitor with aggressive, detail-oriented instruction style. Fosters competitive environments that challenge students to refine technical precision and strategic thinking through active competition experience and rigorous training methodologies.
Questions
Is jiu-jitsu safe for beginners?
Yes, our structured programs prioritize safety with controlled training environments, progressive skill development, and injury prevention protocols tailored for all experience levels.
What age can children start training?
We accept students as young as five years old in our youth-specific programs designed for safe, age-appropriate martial arts development.
Do I need prior athletic experience?
No prior experience is required. Our curriculum accommodates complete beginners with personalized instruction to build skills from foundational levels.
What should I bring to first class?
Bring flip flops and a towel for hygiene purposes. We provide loaner gear for initial sessions before personal equipment purchase.
Are competitions mandatory?
Competition participation is optional. While we prepare students for competitive success, 85% of our members train for self-defense and personal growth.
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