Pride Lands MMA Academy

Pride Lands MMA Academy in Scranton is led by Jason Ratchford, a 3rd degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie and a 1st degree black belt in Judo under Fred Murty. Jason’s coaching and competition experience spans decades, and his time spent learning directly under John Danaher in the Blue Basement has shaped the academy’s technical foundation. He is joined by a team of instructors who have come up through the ranks at Pride Lands, including black belts Mike Baresse, Ryan Marcinkevich, and Brody Dial, with each bringing their own background in boxing, MMA, and years of local training and competition. The coaching staff also includes youth and women’s instructor Makenna Ratchford, who started training at age five and now holds a purple belt under her father. The academy’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program is rooted in no-gi, reflecting both Jason’s Danaher lineage and the gym’s focus on practical grappling. Adult classes include no-gi jiu-jitsu, women-only no-gi sessions, and open mat times that welcome drop-ins. For kids, the Little Lions program introduces no-gi jiu-jitsu and striking, with an emphasis on building skills from a young age. The schedule also features boxing and kickboxing for adults, taught by instructors who have competed and coached in those disciplines for years. Pride Lands puts a premium on lifelong learning and sharing knowledge across age groups and backgrounds. The curriculum is shaped by the instructors’ real-world experience on the mats and in competition, with a structure that encourages consistent improvement and cross-training in both grappling and striking arts. The academy welcomes students from all walks of life, with a practical, hands-on approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts in Scranton.

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