Both my kids have shown more confidence and I love how higher belts are earned not just given. Kids are not only expected to work hard on the mat but also encouraged to excel in school and have good attitudes.
Crofton, Maryland · Since 2010
Strongerbodies.Sharper minds.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, kids’ martial arts and cardio kickboxing for ages 3 and up, led by US Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee Professor Charles Cherry.
4.9Google rating · 100+ reviews
The name on the shirt
bellicose
Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.
That is what the dictionary says, and it is printed on the back of our team shirts. Inside the gym the word means something more useful: a focused, confident approach to training. We teach people of every age to stay calm under pressure, solve problems with technique, and protect themselves and the people they love when there is no safer option. Practical self-defense is built into every program we run.
Read our story
2010Founded as Bowie MMA, now home in Crofton
40+Years Professor Cherry has trained in the martial arts
4.9Average Google rating from our members
2024Professor Cherry inducted into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Programs
One gym.
Every age.
Kids start at 3. Adults start whenever they decide to. Every class is built on the same three things: practical self-defense, sound fighting fundamentals, and fitness with a purpose.
Ages 3 to 4
Little Lions Karate
A fun first step into martial arts for preschoolers: listening, balance, coordination and the confidence to join in.
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Ages 5 to 13
Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Safe grappling with elements of Judo and Wrestling. Kids learn to stay calm, work with partners and use technique instead of strength.
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Ages 5 to 13
Bully Defense System
Boxing and Muay Thai fundamentals plus a five-step de-escalation method, developed by a behavior analyst and retired federal officer.
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Ages 14+
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Gi and no-gi grappling with Judo and Wrestling woven in, coached by a 3rd degree black belt and the black belts he promoted.
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Ages 14+
Muay Thai Kickboxing
Punches, kicks, knees, footwork and defense in a beginner-friendly room. Nobody has to fight or spar to take part.
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Ages 14+
Cardio Kickboxing
A 45-minute, full-body workout with striking combinations, upbeat music and coaches who keep the energy high.
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Ages 14+
Body Blast Boot Camp
A high-intensity circuit of calisthenics, bodyweight work, cardio and strength training.
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Head Instructor
Professor Charles Cherry
Students call him Coach. He started training as a child and has more than 40 years on the mat since, across Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Boxing and more. He spent over 28 years in federal law enforcement and still teaches defensive tactics to federal agents.
- IBJJF 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
- 2nd Degree Kodokan Judo Black Belt and Kickboxing Black Belt
- Adjunct defensive tactics instructor, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst and author of Bully Proofing Your Child
- Inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, 2024
What we teach
Built for real life
Our mission is to help students build stronger bodies, sharper minds and practical self-defense skills, with expert instruction, purposeful workouts and a supportive room for all ages.
01
Practical self-defense
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a practical self-defense system that uses leverage and body mechanics, so a smaller, technical person can control a bigger one.
02
Fighting fundamentals
Muay Thai develops balance, movement, body mechanics, control and discipline while sharpening real striking skills.
03
Fitness and purpose
Improve strength, conditioning, flexibility and endurance in classes that keep you engaged and progressing week after week.
For parents
Our goal is not to teach kids to fight
It is to help them become capable, confident young people who handle conflict with maturity, respect and good judgement. Children learn to stay calm, use their words, create space and get help, with physical skills taught only as a last resort for safety.
Classes are structured, closely supervised and scaled to each child’s age and experience. Parents tell us about better focus at home, better attitudes at school, and belts that are earned, not given.
How Bully Defense works4.9 stars on Google
Families and fighters, in their words
Rated 4.9 out of 5 across more than a hundred Google reviews. Read more reviews
Every session is structured with the perfect balance between technical drills, conditioning, and sparring, which keeps things both really challenging and exciting. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, this helps you improve a lot.
What really stood out to us was how patient, welcoming, and encouraging everyone is. The instructors take the time to explain and demonstrate each step and make sure you understand what you’re doing without making you feel rushed or overwhelmed.
The martial artists running the class will wear you out in a span of 45 minutes, which is the highest value proposition for me.
The environment here is both welcoming and challenging, whether you’re a beginner or advanced practitioner. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable, patient and passionate about teaching BJJ and Self Defense.
I did notice a massive change in behavior because the teachers and kids create a trend of discipline and working out which mirrored onto him.
I was very hesitant to try kickboxing, thought it was too hard and would be too much for me. My hesitation was unwarranted because Bellicose is fantastic!! In the beginning, I only came if my friends came, now I go alone if they can’t make it. My confidence and stamina has grown in these few months.
I’ve been training at Bellicose MMA since I was 13 years old in 2015, and now at 23 I’m still proud to be a part of this amazing community! I currently train in both Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, and the coaches are incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about what they do.
One of my favorite things is that we can do classes at the same time, so it fits into our busy schedule without sacrificing family time.
You can register for cardio classes and martial arts anywhere nowadays, but what you won’t get at other places is the camaraderie and care these instructors put into their clients. They are passionate, knowledgeable and invested in your individual goals.
Inside the gym
More than a gym.
A team.
Belt promotions under the flags, women’s self-defense seminars, Nerf wars for the kids, and workouts that leave everyone soaked. Members describe Bellicose as family, and some have trained here for more than a decade.
Getting started
Three steps to the mat
Don’t wait for the perfect time to begin. Training is easier when you have support and accountability, and that starts on day one.
Tell us who’s training
Pick a program and leave your name, phone and email. It takes about thirty seconds.
Choose your class
Our booking calendar shows the real trial times for your program. Choose the one that fits your week.
Step on the mat
A coach meets you, explains everything, and makes sure your first class is challenging, safe and fun.
FAQ
Questions, answered
Anything else, call (240) 286-5219 and a coach will help.
I have never trained before. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Beginners are welcome at any time. Every program is coached step by step, with modifications for any movement you need.
Do I have to spar or fight?
No. Muay Thai students do not have to fight or spar to take part, and our kids’ programs have no unsupervised sparring. Contact is introduced only when it is appropriate and controlled.
Can I train while my kids are in class?
Yes, and plenty of families do. Kids’ classes and adult cardio kickboxing run on the same weeknights, so parents can get a workout in while their children train.
What ages do you teach?
Little Lions Karate starts at age 3. Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the Bully Defense System are for ages 5 to 13. Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Cardio Kickboxing and Body Blast are for ages 14 and up.
Where are you, and is there parking?
We are at 2146 Priest Bridge Court, Suite 7, Crofton, MD 21114, near the Crofton bowling alley, with plenty of parking.
Do you offer a military or first responder discount?
Yes. Bellicose supports active duty military, veterans and first responders with a membership discount for them and their families. Ask about it at your free class.
Free trial class
Start with one free class
Come see the room for yourself. Beginners are welcome at any time, and a coach will walk you through everything in your first class.
- Real instructors, led by a US Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee
- Classes for ages 3 and up, from first-timers to competitors
- Near the Crofton bowling alley, with plenty of parking
Your first class is free
Tell us who’s training and we’ll save you a spot on the mat.