JM Modern Jiu Jitsu

JM Modern Jiu Jitsu was founded by Coach Josh Mancuso, who has taught Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Baton Rouge longer than anyone else in the area. Since opening the academy in 2013, Coach Josh has produced more than 40 black belts—an achievement that reflects both the depth of his experience and the longevity of his program. His curriculum is deliberately hybrid, drawing from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at its core, but also incorporating folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, and Russian sambo. This approach shapes students into grapplers who are comfortable on their feet and the ground, able to transition between takedowns, control, escapes, and submissions. Classes at JM Modern cover the full spectrum of modern grappling. Adult programs include gi and no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, beginner fundamentals, open mat sessions, MMA, and Russian sambo. The kids’ program starts as young as age three, with classes grouped by age and experience. Youth students develop real self-defense skills and, for those interested, a competition track that leads to success at IBJJF and American Grappling Federation events. The schedule is designed so that kids and adults never compete for space, with two large mat areas ensuring room for every group. The facility spans 6,500 square feet and is built around practical needs: two mat spaces, four private showers, dedicated locker rooms, an on-site cold plunge for recovery, and a fully stocked pro shop. Cleanliness is a priority, with mats disinfected after every class—not just nightly. Drop-ins are welcome, and most students begin with no prior experience at all, reflecting the academy’s focus on making top-level instruction accessible to anyone willing to step on the mat.

Amenities