About Calvert MMA Academy®

Home of Team LINEAGE®

Southern Maryland’s Martial Arts Community Since 2007

Your Path Starts Here

At Calvert MMA Academy®, we help kids, teens, and adults build confidence, learn real self-defense, and become stronger in every area of life.

Since 2007, our academy has served families across Southern Maryland through authentic Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practical self-defense, and a professional, supportive training environment.

Whether your goal is self-defense, fitness, confidence, competition, or personal growth, you’ll find real instruction and a strong community here.

Start with New Student Foundations

Most new students begin with our beginner-friendly Foundations trial.

New Student Foundations — $49

• Up to 4 beginner-friendly training sessions
• 14 days to complete your classes
• Introduction to our academy and instructors

If you enroll, your $49 is credited toward membership.

Reserve Your Foundations Pass Today

Call or Text 410-257-5425
Contact Us

Our Story

Built on Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Calvert MMA Academy® was founded with a simple mission: teach real martial arts that truly help people.

Founder Jim Thrift first discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the early 1990s through friends connected to the Gracie family. After seeing firsthand how effective the art was, he committed himself to learning the original system built on leverage, timing, and technique—not strength or size.

In 1995, Jim met Grandmaster Relson Gracie in Hawaii. Relson became one of the most important influences in his martial arts journey and helped shape the values and curriculum that define our academy today.

Jim continued training under Relson Gracie, Hélio Gracie, and other members of the Gracie family while balancing a demanding federal career. In 2007, he helped open Calvert MMA Academy®, Southern Maryland’s first certified Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy.

From the beginning, the goal was never to be the loudest school. The goal was to build the most authentic, professional, and family-friendly training environment possible.

What Makes Calvert MMA Academy® Different

Authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Our curriculum comes directly from Grandmaster Relson Gracie and preserves the original self-defense focus of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Experienced Leadership

Professor Jim Thrift is a 5th-degree black belt under Grandmaster Relson Gracie, a retired U.S. Secret Service gun carrier, and a Navy veteran with more than four decades of martial arts experience.

Professional Instruction You Can Trust

Our team includes experienced instructors and active competitors who bring professionalism, technical skill, and real teaching experience to the mats.

A Positive, Ego-Free Culture

We are serious about training, but we are also welcoming, respectful, and supportive. Beginners and experienced students train together in an environment built on teamwork and growth.

Clean, Safe, Family-Friendly Facility

We maintain strong standards for cleanliness, safety, and professionalism, including daily mat sanitation, hospital-grade air purification, and high hygiene expectations.

What We’ve Built Together

We are proud of what our students and families have accomplished through hard work, consistency, and support for one another.

2025 Good Fight Submission-Only World Championships

Team LINEAGE® earned World Championships in the kids, teens, and adult divisions, showing the strength of our program across all levels.

Multiple Team State Championships

Our academy has earned multiple team titles across youth, teen, and adult divisions through disciplined training and a proven system.

Direct Relson Gracie Lineage

We continue to learn, teach, and grow under the guidance of Grandmaster Relson Gracie and through seminars with respected instructors who share our commitment to authentic training.

Programs for the Whole Family

Calvert MMA Academy® offers programs for every stage of life:

• Mat Munchkins (Ages 3–4)
• Little Sharks (Ages 5–7)
• Junior Grapplers (Ages 8–13)
• Adult Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Ages 14+)

Whether your goal is self-defense, competition, confidence, or fitness, you’ll find a welcoming place to train and improve.

You Belong Here

Calvert MMA Academy® is not about hype or intimidation. It is about helping people grow.

Parents gain peace of mind.
Kids gain confidence and focus.
Adults gain strength, discipline, and balance.

Whether you are stepping onto the mat for the first time or continuing your martial arts journey, you’ll find a supportive community here.

Start Your Journey Today

If you’ve been thinking about trying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or self-defense training in Southern Maryland, this is the place to start.

Begin with our New Student Foundations Pass and experience the culture of Team LINEAGE® for yourself.

New Student Foundations Pass — $49

If you enroll, the $49 fee is credited toward membership.