Train the Rest of 2025 Free — Discover Why Lineage BJJ & Calvert MMA Are Redefining Jiu-Jitsu in Southern Maryland

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Exclusive — The Biggest Offer We’ve Ever Released


Not All Jiu-Jitsu Schools Are Created Equal

Let’s be real for a second — not every Jiu-Jitsu academy is the same. You’ve probably seen the difference: schools promising quick belts, fancy techniques, or nonstop “tournament training.” But here’s the truth — what happens when you actually need those skills?

At Lineage BJJ and Calvert MMA, we don’t teach Jiu-Jitsu just to win medals. We teach it so that if life ever puts you in a real fight, you’ll know exactly what to do — calm, confident, and capable.

This art was built for survival, not show. We stay true to that mission every single day — blending real Gracie Jiu-Jitsu self-defense with high-level sport Jiu-Jitsu that works anywhere: on the street, on the mat, or in competition.

If you’ve ever searched for “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near me” or “best BJJ schools in Southern Maryland,” this is where your transformation starts.

Lineage BJJ — Building Southern Maryland’s Strongest Team and Community
At Lineage BJJ, you’re not just joining a martial arts school — you’re becoming part of the largest and most connected Jiu-Jitsu team and community in Southern Maryland, with more black belts on staff than any academy in the region.

We offer both Gi and No-Gi training, focused on real Gracie self-defense and world-class technique.

Why People Choose Lineage BJJ and Calvert MMA

When you join us, you’re not just signing up for martial arts classes — you’re joining Southern Maryland’s largest and strongest Jiu-Jitsu community.

We have more black belts on staff than any academy in the region, and our team is led by Professor Jim Thrift, a 5th-degree black belt under Grandmaster Relson Gracie — direct lineage to the family that founded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu itself.

This isn’t a franchise. It’s a family. A legacy. And when you step on our mats, you’ll feel the difference immediately — structured classes, expert instruction, and a community that welcomes you like family from day one.

We offer Gi and No-Gi training with the largest combined schedule in Southern Maryland—morning, afternoon, and evening classes spread across both academies, seven days a week. Whether you’re a shift worker, parent, or competitor, there’s always a time and place to train. Our culture is built on respect, teamwork, and zero ego, making every class a place to learn, grow, and belong.

Two Academies. One Membership. One Family.

When you sign up, you don’t just get one location — you get access to both Lineage BJJ (St. Mary’s County) and Calvert MMA (Calvert County) under a single membership.

Members also enjoy:

  • ✅ 24/7 access to our online training library

  • ✅ Our members-only app for easy scheduling and updates

  • ✅ Free InBody scans and personalized nutrition guidance

  • ✅ A team-first, family-driven culture — where everyone helps each other improve

You’ll be surrounded by police officers, active-duty service members and military veterans, teachers, professionals, blue-collar workers, parents, teens, and more—people who care about improving themselves and others. It’s a community of doers, not talkers.

Our Curriculum — Complete Martial Arts for Real Life

We don’t just teach techniques — we build martial artists.

Our system covers everything you need to be safe, confident, and skilled for life.
With the largest team and most black belts on staff in Southern Maryland, our instruction runs deep:

🥋 Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense — The original system by Hélio Gracie, built to protect you in real life, not score points.
🏆 Sport Jiu-Jitsu — Learn to dominate competition with calm precision and clean technique.
🥊 Striking Fundamentals — Stay safe and effective before a fight even reaches the ground.
🥋 Judo & Wrestling for Takedowns — Proven stand-up systems to control and dictate every exchange.
💥 Vale Tudo (“Anything Goes”) — The real bridge between sport and survival. You’ll learn to handle chaos, distance, and unpredictability — the foundation that built modern MMA and the original Gracie challenge matches.

We’re proud to be Southern Maryland’s only certified schools teaching authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu self-defense, while producing athletes who consistently win at the state and national levels.

And here, every promotion is earned — not given. No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Every stripe and belt represents real progress, real mastery, and real confidence.

Proven Results — Championship Culture at Its Best

We don’t just say we’re the best — we prove it.

In the last two years alone, Lineage BJJ and Calvert MMA have dominated the Maryland competition scene, earning multiple state and world titles.

Our results speak for themselves:

🥇 1st Place Overall – Maryland State Championships (Youth & Adult Divisions)
🥇 1st Place Youth / Teen Division – Good Fight World Championships
🥈 2nd Place Adult Division – Good Fight Worlds
🥇 Multiple podium finishes at Newbreed Maryland Championships

And here’s what separates us:
We win by submission. Not points. Not advantages. Not luck.

Good Fight tournaments are submission-only — meaning you don’t win unless your technique finishes the fight. That’s the same mindset we bring to every class — because real Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about looking good. It’s about being effective.

Our team has now won three consecutive Good Fight Mission Tournaments for the Maryland State Championship — and this year, we’re aiming for our fourth straight title.

Because of these consistent victories, our athletes earned free entry into the Good Fight World Championships in December 2025 — an honor reserved for top-performing academies nationwide.

These aren’t flukes or “lucky weekends.” They’re the result of years of technical refinement, world-class coaching, and a community that sharpens each other daily.

At Lineage BJJ and Calvert MMA, success on the mat is simply a reflection of what we teach:
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that works — in competition and in life.

A Lineage You Can Trust

Not all black belts are equal — and not all instruction is created the same.

When you train under Professor Jim Thrift, you’re learning from a 5th-degree black belt under Grandmaster Relson Gracie, one of the most respected figures in the Gracie family and in all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Our instructors — black, brown, and purple belts — each have years of hands-on experience teaching under this same system. We also host members of the Gracie family and elite guest instructors throughout the year to ensure our training stays sharp, relevant, and authentic.

This isn’t a chain gym with a new name every few years. This is the real lineage — the same system that’s been tested for generations.

Free Self-Defense Clinics for the Community

We proudly give back. Recently, we hosted a free self-defense clinic for the 2025 Southern High School Girls Lacrosse Team at our Calvert MMA location.

Want a free clinic for your school, team, or organization?
Contact us — we’d love to help your group learn simple, effective skills that could one day save a life.

The Black Friday & Cyber Monday Offer — The Deal of the Year

This is it. If you’ve ever thought about training Jiu-Jitsu, or if you’ve been at another school but wanted to switch, there’s never been a better time.

✅ Train the rest of 2025 for free
✅ Lock in 2025 pricing before 2026 rate increases
✅ We’ll match your current membership rate if you’re transferring from another academy

All you need to do is bring proof of your current membership (a recent payment and your membership agreement), and you’ll get instant access to both locations, our online academy, and the members app.

No hidden fees. No games. Just an opportunity to train with the best team in the region — at zero risk.

Mat Munchkins (ages 3–4) excluded. Restrictions apply.

Join the Family — Here’s How

🥋 New to Jiu-Jitsu? No problem. Everyone starts somewhere.

1️⃣ Register through Lineage BJJ or Calvert MMA.
2️⃣ Train free through December 31, 2025.
3️⃣ Your matched or locked-in rate begins January 1, 2026.

Two academies. One membership. One family.

2025 Youth Camp — Calvert MMA Location

Members — don’t forget, your kids get access to our youth camps!
Join for the full week or drop in daily. Camps are designed to build confidence, discipline, and athletic skill in a fun, structured environment.

Final Thought

Let’s be real — switching academies isn’t quitting. It’s leveling up.

If your current gym feels stagnant, if you’re not growing, or if you’re tired of the politics — you owe it to yourself to see what training should actually feel like.

Train where technique beats strength, ego stays off the mat, and community comes first.
Train where results are earned — not hyped.
Train with a team that’s redefining what Jiu-Jitsu means for Southern Maryland.

Come see the difference. Come join Lineage BJJ and Calvert MMA — where skill, respect, and results define who we are.

Contact Us

📍 Lineage BJJ
44723 Saint Andrews Church Road
California, MD 20619
📞 Call or text: 301-377-8773

📍 Calvert MMA
25 Dalrymple Road
Sunderland, MD 20689
📞 Call or text: 410-257-5425

Whether you’re brand new to Jiu-Jitsu or transferring from another academy, contact us anytime — we’ll help you find the right program and get you training immediately.

James Thrift

Retired PSS/TSI - U.S. Secret Service. Navy Veteran. Founder of Lineage BJJ and Calvert MMA Academy. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 5th Degree Black Belt.

https://lineagebjj.com
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