College Park Mixed Martial Arts

The owner, Josh Peters, has been a training partner and a friend for more than 15 years. If you want to learn to protect yourself there's no better person to learn from. If you'd like to compete Josh can push you to your absolute limit. If you just want a fun workout he can help you get in shape. There are classes for everyone here. I highly recommend it. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Josh is an amazing guy. He was also a teacher so he knows how to break things down really well. The place feels comfortable but they push you real hard. 10/10 would do again

Reviewed on Google Maps

Very fun group of guys and gals. Everyone welcomes you regardless of background. Little whining, tons of learning, and tons of rolling. Also, very wrestler friendly.Tons of classes and open mats with people of all experience levels. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great place to train and practice martial art ! Everyone is super welcoming and respectful. Great instructors and good for all ages and skill levels. More experienced students are willing to help you out during the class and open mat. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

A great place that makes you want to work harder with great people! When you join, you are part of the family.

Reviewed on Google Maps

I've been training with Josh since 2004. Most relationships come and go but quality people tend to continue to make appearances in my life. Due to schooling and moving to various locations in the DMV it has not always been to visit the gym. Josh has opened to door to his gym for me and generously helped me train for multiple fights. He has laser like focus on your training and making your fight camp successful. Now the gym has changed locations a few times and the current spot is the best so far. There's everything you need as a fighter or jujitsu player- a nice open mat, and quality people to train with. All real gyms have a large focus on partner drills, mitt work and sparring and CPMMA supplies this. For new students you have instructors who care and are focused on learning and technique. The classes are paced to allow time to learn new skills in the beginning and try the in open sparring or rolling at the end. New fights can pair with experienced fighters and are slowly guided into the sport without risk for injury. If your in the college park area definitely hit up CPMMA for all your MMA needs. Even if your just a UFC fan, you will appreciate what you see much more after a few classes in the gym. Also we have UFC parties More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I am probably the last person who would have thought I would do any sort of MMA. If someone told me I should do this a couple of weeks ago, I would have got a great laugh and stuffed myself silly with chocolate. Recently, I was in the market for trying something new because Groupon adventures add interest to my life. This was one of them. 1st day of instruction went something like this:We show up, do some basic movements, pair up, practice, and somewhere in between we switch partners and I am paired with a 200lb wrestler. HAH! After getting shaken around a bit, still scared out of my mind and questioning my choices up to that point, I got a great workout, a load of information, and some very useful self-defense moves. Bless these guys for going easy on me because I do not have any sort of muscle definition. I bet if I come here often enough I can one day overtake them because BJJ is more so about skill than it is about strength.The instructor Josh was very patient with us. We came in with no experience and he was able to skillfully show us how to do BJJ even if it took a couple of times. Can't say this type of workout is for everyone since it's a full contact sport but, was very fun and an incredible workout. Would highly recommend this place to anyone, amateur or pro who wants to improve their skill because the skills you learn are definitely useful.Keep in mind this place is not aesthetically pleasing and not the cleanest because people keep sweating profusely but, it's still a great learning experience with awesome people who know their craft so, that's why I gave it 5 stars. Definitely, check out their site for schedules and such because there's more info on there. Give it a chance if you're up for the challenge! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

They have a great kids program, and the instructor does a phenomenal job of bringing the best out in them. Our two kids, 8 and 13, have been going for a while, and it's the only sports activity they've been able to get into. As well, it has really made them stronger (inside and out). We had tried Karate, etc, and it took having an active, hands-on, full (very safe) contact experience to get them excited and feel like they are learning something. The 13yr old actually does both child and adult classes now, and everyone makes it extremely welcoming and safe for him. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I'm from out of town (Colorado) for an extended stay and these guys welcomed me with open arms. I got great work in and felt completely at home. The members that I met are clearly dedicated training partners and the owner is skilled and great to train with!!! Highly recommend! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great place to learn. the owner/instructor is very patient to beginners; and does a good job breaking down moves. More experienced students are willing to help you out during class. I recommend this gym to anyone looking to improve skills or learn something new. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I've been to a number of Jiu Jitsu gyms but this is my favorite.  The instructors and students are all respectful and positive.  It makes for a great atmosphere.  It's not the biggest space but what that means - especially for new students - is that it is very easy to ask and get an answer to a question.  If you want to learn effective Jiu Jitsu and self-defense, you want a small class size.  There are a range of skill levels among the current members and students; everything from beginners of all different weight classes to brown/purple belts and pro mma fighters.  Definitely give the free trial a shot and see what you think. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is a great place for adults in the prime of their lives, women who want to become amateur or professional fighters, women who simply want to learn self defense and children of all ages and skill sets. I can speak from experience in all categories.I returned home to the East Coast after spending a year in Las Vegas training and touring various gyms with the idea of becoming a pro fighter. I had the opportunity to train with elite wrestlers, boxers and black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In my time there, I realized that I simply didn't have what it takes to compete at an elite level, and that was fine with me. I visited College Park mixed martial arts after going to a few pure jujitsu schools. I am mediately recognized the apparent expertise of the instructor and the competence and condition of those in the class. I was excited at the idea of still training with elite athletes in all disciplines of fighting. During this time, the sport of mixed martial arts was changing. College Park mixed martial arts stayed at the forefront of that change. There are cpmma regulars who are truly elite in individual disciplines and a head instructor who is able to craft a quality curriculum, specific to the students or prospective fighters. I also met female fighters and their inclusion was never an issue.I enjoyed the atmosphere so much, that I brought my wife and a female friend of her's to the class regularly for a while. They had no serious aspirations, but were able to get great exercise and great instruction for practical self-defense situations. My wife absolutely loved it. Years later, she integrates her massage therapy business with the camps and fights as much as possible. Even though she doesn't train at the gym regularly, she is always welcomed fondly. She is paid by professional athletes in other sports and this is the only Mma gym she currently works with. This is indicative of the apparent excellence; a relative layperson can see qualitative differences.Last year at a summer barbecue, my friend's six-year-old daughter and her friends were wrestling around. I jokingly showed her how to apply a rear naked choke and she was hooked. She joined a more local jujitsu Academy and trains there primarily. She is considered a top student, regardless of gender. Her dad and I brought her to College Park mixed martial arts for the "rumble bees" children's class. She loved it! Cross training at the adult level can be a difficult concept for some students and coaches to grasp, however the environment was so welcoming a very competitive 7 year old girl fit right in. She made some new friends, was challenged in some different ways, and noticed how very different the instruction could be. The instructor has a Masters in education, and it was apparent that he was applying these principles (learning styles,differentiation, etc.) in structure of the class for children. There was never a dull moment, but there was also a great deal of structure and learning. This is something completely unique in martial arts. I remember my generation being sent to karate schools, having to be quiet for long periods of time and do forms. The children's class combines the next generation of martial arts knowledge, with the next generation of what we currently know about how children best learn and apply New information.I should also note that the competition level, I have had the honor of witnessing a high school champion wrestler, a kickboxing amateur national champion, A professional mixed martial arts tournament champion. A handful of cpmma members regularly walk into the cage as professionals and amateurs. I typically do not see them leaving without the referee holding their hand into the air. There is not a Cult atmosphere. The guys are tough, but not insecure to the point of hyper masculine nonsense. The approach at the gym is scientific. Ideas can be challenged and altered if necessary in the name of objective reality over dogma: the very essence of how human beings grow best. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Josh (owner/instructor) offers a great environment for all levels.Speaking to my own experience. I have for 7+ years (off and on) gone to Josh to learn brazilian jiu jitsu and expand my overall appreciation of martial arts (which now extends into boxing and mixed martial arts). I have since moved into DC making my trips out to Beltsville few and far between, but Josh has cultivated an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie. It is unique to see the passion and attention CPMMA has for new and old students alike.I fully recommend CPMMA to any new, existing or curious martial artistUPDATE: 10/8- Still 5-star instruction and experience. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I've been doing MMA and BJJ for over four years now. In that time, I've been a dedicated member of two gyms and have visited many more. CPMMA is a legitimate place to train for competitors and seriously over delivers for casual practitioners in terms of quality of instruction compared to price. The instructor staff is knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. I know them personally and their lives revolve around finding better ways to train themselves and to coach others. These guys dream about guard escapes and boxing combinations.The other displayed reviewer is right about the interior. If you're looking for a Vida style place with smoothie bars and beautiful interior design, you will be disappointed. CPMMA is basically a padded room where you can safely spar with people. It's all you need to train and not much more. The bathrooms are clean and the space is adequate. I can say that the instructor staff takes care to keep the place clean and that in the two years I've been there, I've never gotten any of the infections common to MMA training (staph, mrsa, etc.)The clientele is the best part--they're the coolest guys and girls I've had the pleasure of training with. Out of all the gyms I've ever been a part of or visited, this place has the least amount of ego. Training sessions are chill, people will help you if you ask, and effort is respected over ability. Finally, it's the most affordable of any MMA gym within 15 miles--I researched this myself and it was one of the main factors that made me start going here. At CPMMA, the quality of instruction outpaces the membership fees by far. I highly recommend this gym for people with little ego and a willingness to learn and train hard. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great place to train.  Been going for about 2 months - clean, safe, and intense workout.  Instructors know what they're doing.  Other students are all good training partners.  Trained at several other schools before and cpmma's bjj class generally uses the format I like best - tough calisthenics warmup, then they teach a few positions/moves, then you drill the moves, then positional sparring drills (related to the moves that were taught), and then regular sparring (if you want - or you can just ask your partner to help you practice a position/move). More...

Reviewed on Yelp

CPMMA is a great place to get fit while learning self-defense or training for competitions. If you've never heard of CPMMA, but look inside it may look dull. ..you will not likely see workout equipment. However, there is workout equipment in the back, so do not let this scare you. I have put in hours at the gym with cardio and weights, and after conditioning for even half an hour i'm even more worn out than I would be from hours at the gym; even after the first 15 minutes of any training day i'm already sweating bullets. The instructor, Josh, is the best martial arts instructor I have trained with with (I come from a TKD background). He is a public school teacher as well, so he knows how people learn, and if you have a child who wants to learn martial arts, he is the man to do that. He is patient when it comes to your learning, and if you are having issues you can demonstrate the technique on him and he will guide you through it till you understand it, and won't get mad at you even if it is taking you forever to learn. The cost to attend here is MUCH less than other MMA schools, and you get more than what you pay for. When rolling, wrestling, or sparring with anyone of any rank, they are always willing to tell you what you are doing wrong and help you to get the technique right, even if they have to help you after class. Most people here will even help you out if you ask them a question while they're in a choke position...everyone (instructors and students) go above and beyond to help you out. The best part of all, which makes this all work is that everyone who trains here is treated like family. Overall, great place to learn mixed-martial arts with great people and to have a fun time while doing so. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

College Park MMA is a great place to learn grappling and striking, in a healthy environment with helpful, talented instructors. I joined 2 years ago and with the guidance I received at CPMMA I made many competitive achievements and strengthened my character through hard work, confidence, and respect. CPMMA produces great results as can be seen with their students as well as with their fight team. Having several champion competitors CPMMA has quickly made a name for itself in the DMV among Martial Arts Schools. CPMMA is like a family. We all help each other. We all respect each other. These qualities are what set it apart from many schools. Joshua Peters (Owner and Head instructor) values quality over quantity. That makes all the difference.I suggest you start now. No time like the present... It's also cheaper than most places, which is always a plus :) More...

Reviewed on Yelp