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.
Home/About
Our story, since 2010
From a Bowie grappling gym with a cage to a family martial arts school in Crofton. The name changed. The standard didn’t.
Our history
From Bowie MMA to Bellicose
Bellicose Martial Arts began in 2010 as Bowie MMA, founded by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Carlos Catania and Charles Cherry, who was a Judo black belt at the time. The school became known for strong Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, mixed martial arts and competition training, and built a loyal community of students and families.
In 2012 the team moved into a larger school in Bowie and added a cage and more heavy bags. Its fighters and grapplers brought home medals and titles from NAGA, the Good Fight Thanksgiving Throwdown and regional MMA promotions.
In 2020 the school moved to Crofton and became Bellicose Martial Arts. The new name reflects a focused, confident approach to training, and a more family-friendly martial arts environment.
Our mission
Stronger bodies.
Sharper minds.
Bellicose Martial Arts strives to help students build stronger bodies, sharper minds and practical self-defense skills through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts. We combine expert instruction, purposeful workouts and a supportive training environment for all ages.
01
Self-defense in everything
We incorporate self-defense into each of our programs, from Little Lions to adult Muay Thai. Realistic skills, without false confidence.
02
Evidence-based coaching
Our head instructor is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Clear expectations, consistent routines and real reinforcement are how people change habits, so that is how we coach.
03
A family room
Parents train while their kids train. Black belts roll with beginners. Members who joined years ago still show up every week.
Lineage
A real line, back to the source
Professor Cherry was promoted to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt in 2011 and to black belt in 2013, under Carlos Catania of Team Sergio Penha. Catania trained under Royler Gracie before earning his own black belt from Sergio Penha. Today Professor Cherry is an IBJJF 3rd degree black belt.
In 2024 he promoted two of his own students to black belt: Coach Akaash Malik in November and Coach DJ Jennings in December. Both now teach at Bellicose.
His Judo black belt came from Sensei John T. Anderson. He is a two-time US Judo Senior Nationals All-American and won the heavyweight division of the Eastern Open Judo Championships in 2010.
Meet the instructors
Crofton, Maryland
Find us near the bowling alley
Bellicose trains at 2146 Priest Bridge Court, Suite 7, Crofton, MD 21114, near the Crofton bowling alley, with plenty of parking. Members come from Crofton, Bowie, Odenton, Annapolis and beyond.
The school has a dedicated weight room alongside the mats and bag area, and supports active duty military, veterans and first responders with a membership discount for them and their families.
Get directions
Loyal since day one
Members for years
Rated 4.9 out of 5 across more than a hundred Google reviews. Read more reviews
I have been training with Coach Charles and Bellicose Martial Arts for over a decade. It has been one of the best decisions of my life.
I was in the Army and needed something fun to get me back into the groove. This was just what I needed. They really are like family now and they push me to my limits when I try to slack lol.
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.
Training at Bellicose Martial Arts with Coach Cherry has been a transformative experience. His guidance is both tough and inspiring, pushing me to exceed beyond my limits.
I was amazed at the different techniques I can use to protect myself. Thank you Coach Charles for thinking of women and showing us how to protect ourselves!
I like staying in shape and this is useful fitness. Fitness that may save my life one day and fitness that boosts my confidence.
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.