Martial Arts in Maplewood, NJ
Fifteen minutes via Springfield Ave. Maplewood parents don't fall for slick branding — they want the real thing.
15 Minutes — Worth The Drive
Maplewood has Bodega Jiu-Jitsu — a beginner-friendly No-Gi school right in the village. Good option if No-Gi only and local is your priority. AllStar is fifteen minutes down Springfield Ave and offers Gi + No-Gi BJJ, Muay Thai, and MMA under a Renzo Gracie black belt with an ADCC and pro MMA record. SOMA parents who do the homework — who look at lineage, full program, and long-term development — consistently land here.
If you commute through Newark Penn or the Morris & Essex line, the 6, 7, or 8 PM slot works. Maplewood Village is fifteen minutes from the mat. Two weeks free — see whether the full program is worth the drive.
Programs Available to Maplewood Families
Adult BJJ
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for adults 16+. Renzo Gracie lineage. Beginners welcome.
Adult Muay Thai
Real pad work, serious cardio, no fluff. The Art of 8 Limbs.
Adult MMA
Coached by an IFL & Bellator veteran. Real integration of all three disciplines.
Lions (Kids 7–13)
Confidence, discipline, bullyproofing — through real BJJ.
Cubs (Kids 4–6)
Age-appropriate fun + structure. Confidence, listening, coordination.
Why Lineage Actually Matters
I'm Jamal Patterson. I trained directly under Renzo Gracie at his academy in New York. I'm an ADCC veteran and pro MMA fighter — fought in the IFL and Bellator, won the UWC light heavyweight title on a first-round guillotine. I graduated from Colgate. I've been coaching at AllStar in Union since 2011.
Black Belt
Champion
Since
You Know These Spots — We're A Short Drive From All Of Them
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the gym from Maplewood? +
What's included in the free trial? +
What if my kid has never trained? +
Will I be the only beginner? +
I'm in my 40s/50s — too late? +
Do you have evening classes? +
How do I sign up? +
Two Weeks Free — Maplewood Families Welcome
Show up. Bring water. We'll handle the rest. No commitment, no pressure.