Disciple MMA Academy is a martial arts training center in Sterling, Virginia, offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and structured kids classes for beginners, hobbyists and competitors. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or are an experienced fighter, our doors are open to all.
The academy combines modern combative sports with the culture and discipline of traditional martial arts. It is a gym that acts like a family, where people look after each other on the mat and off it, and where every level trains in the same room.
What Makes Disciple MMA Academy Different
We believe in the power of martial arts to transform lives. Find your strengths. Defy your doubts. Be a fighter. Learn from the best. Be a part of a supportive community.
Disciple MMA Academy offers multiple disciplines under one roof, coaches with decades of combined experience and a training environment where beginners and advanced athletes can develop side by side.
- Diverse training programs: Multiple disciplines under one roof.
- Expert coaches: Decades of combined experience, with coaches who still train alongside the people they coach.
- Every level on the mat: From your first class to the fight team, everyone trains in the same room.
- Purpose-built facility: Modern equipment and spacious mats in the heart of Northern Virginia, minutes from Ashburn, Leesburg and Dulles.
Come for the training, stay for the room. People here look after each other on the mat and off it.
Martial Arts Disciplines
Striking, grappling and everything in between - a complete martial arts curriculum for kids, beginners, hobbyists and competitors across Loudoun County.
Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts brings the full sport together through stand-up, takedowns, cage work and ground control, drilled live at whatever intensity you're ready for.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes leverage over strength. Students learn positional control, escapes and submissions from their first day, with both gi and no-gi training available.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai uses eight limbs: punches, kicks, elbows, knees and the clinch. Training includes pads, bags and technical sparring at whatever pace you’re ready for.
Boxing
The Boxing program teaches American-style boxing with a heavy emphasis on footwork, conditioning and clean technique.
Kids Classes
Kids classes develop confidence, focus and self-defense in a structured, family-friendly room. These are skills that show up at school, not just on the mat.
Kids classes run from age 5 to 14. Adult classes are open to anyone 15 and up, at any level of experience.
Competition Team
The Competition Team is designed for members testing themselves in the cage or on the competition mat. Training includes camp structure, sparring rounds, corner support and a coach supporting you throughout your preparation.
Coaching Staff
The coaching staff has deep backgrounds across wrestling, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and boxing. The coaches still train alongside the people they coach.
Scott Howard
Ajarn · Muay Thai
Ajarn is the senior teaching rank in Muay Thai, held above Kru - a master instructor responsible for the standard the rest of the room is held to.
Kevin Breeden
Black Belt · Professor
Training since 2005, with a competitive record across jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA. A first-degree black belt under Toney Waldecker - himself a sixth-degree black belt under Relson Gracie - which puts his lineage one step from the family that founded the art.
Strong from both top and bottom, and known for coaching the details, whether you walked in last week or you’re preparing to compete.
Mike Pendlebury
MMA Coach · Purple Belt
Training since 2020 and competing in Muay Thai, MMA and jiu-jitsu - his entire career under Disciple. Captain of the Disciple competition team, and has cornered in every discipline.
Neil Johnson
MMA Coach · Brown Belt
Two decades on the mats and an elite wrestling background - Virginia State Champion and D1 national qualifier at George Mason, then a pro career including Bellator. Specializes in wrestling for MMA.
Estefano Altamirano
Purple Belt · Coach
Estefano is a native of Peru, where he began his training before moving to the United States. A dedicated competitor on the local circuit, he has also tested himself against top talent through national promotions such as Fight 2 Win.
Estefano brings a unique skill set to the coaching staff, with a methodical approach to breaking down positions that makes even complex techniques easy for students to understand.
Additional Coaches
- Anthony Cordero: Muay Thai Coach.
- Kru Paul Sitcharing: Muay Thai Coach.
Classes and Weekly Schedule
Classes run seven days a week. The live calendar shows every class at the Sterling gym.
Once your trial is set up, drop into any class on it - come to whatever you like, as often as you like.
A month is long enough to sample every discipline the academy teaches and work out which nights suit you.
Starting at Disciple MMA Academy
Step 1: Sign Up
The 30-day trial is $99 and covers every discipline we teach. Pay online and you are on the mat at the next class.
One payment covers thirty days of classes across every discipline, with no restrictions. The trial is long enough to learn the warm-up, meet the room and find the class you keep coming back to.
Step 2: Attend Your First Session
Turn up fifteen minutes early in athletic attire. Shoes come off at the mat edge.
A coach will introduce themselves and put you with a partner who knows it is your first day.
Step 3: Continue Training
When the trial month ends, the academy will work with you to find the membership that suits you best. The conversation is based on what you enjoyed and how often you can realistically train.
What to Bring
Wear shorts or joggers, a t-shirt, and bring water. Leave anything with zips or pockets at home.
Shoes come off at the edge of the mat. Loaner gloves are available for first-timers in striking classes.
You do not need to buy gear immediately. Gloves are available to borrow so you can try striking. If you stick with it, you will want your own gloves and wraps, and a gi for jiu-jitsu.
Choosing a Discipline
Whatever you are curious about is a suitable place to start. The trial covers everything, so you can try all the disciplines and see what sticks.
Coaches can point you toward the classes that fit your goals, whether you want to develop fitness, learn self-defense, explore martial arts or prepare for competition.
Membership Options
Monthly adult and kids memberships include unlimited access to all classes, individual attention from expert instructors, an inviting space, professional equipment and inspiration to train.
| Membership | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult MMA | $174 + tax |
| Kids MMA | $146 + tax |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a problem if I have never trained before?
It is the norm, not the exception. A large share of our room started with no background at all.
Every class covers the fundamentals, and coaches put newcomers with partners who will look after them.
What does the $99 trial include?
Thirty days, every discipline on the timetable, no restrictions. Pay once online and train as often as the schedule allows for the full month.
What ages do you teach?
Kids classes run from age 5 to 14. Adult classes are open to anyone 15 and up, at any level of experience.
Do I need to buy equipment?
Not for a while. We lend gloves so you can try striking. If you stick with it you will want your own gloves and wraps, and a gi for jiu-jitsu.
Ask any coach before you spend money - they will tell you what is worth buying.
Where is the academy located?
Disciple MMA Academy is located in Suite 110 at 21240 Ridgetop Circle, just off Route 28 in Sterling.
The facility has a tan awning, glass doors and the unit number on the brick. There is a lot directly in front of the building.
Community and Training Atmosphere
The academy is described as a place with no ego and no macho nonsense, focused on good training.
It takes the sport seriously while still maintaining a chill atmosphere.
Whether you are a complete beginner, a regular hobbyist or a competitor, you will always have someone to push you.
Academy Network and Background
Disciple Affiliates are two sides of the same family - the academy network, and the jiu-jitsu program that trains at the Sterling headquarters.
Disciple MMA Academy is a self-owned wellness and fitness organization headquartered in Sterling, Virginia. It was founded in 2011 and has a company size of 11-50 employees.
Its specialties include Muay Thai, MMA, BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, gi, no-gi, TKD, Tae Kwon Do, boxing, fitness, fighters and warriors.
Disciple MMA Academy serves Northern Virginia, including the Sterling area and communities near Ashburn, Leesburg and Dulles.