About Us

SIGN UP FOR FREE SESSION TODAY

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach

Welcome to District Martial Arts

District Martial Arts is Arlington, Virginia’s premier martial arts academy, located at 927 N Quincy Street in the heart of the DC metro area. We offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts, Kids BJJ, No-Gi, and Yoga coached by one of the most credentialed, competition-tested instructional staffs in Northern Virginia.

bjj classes arlington virginia district martial arts

Our Mission & Approach
Our Mission & Approach Our mission is simple: build martial artists who are better on and off the mat. That means world-class technical instruction in every discipline, a coaching staff that brings genuine competitive credentials to every class, and a culture that prioritizes personal growth, effort over ego, and community over individual achievement. The physical and mental benefits of consistent martial arts training align closely with the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity guidelines and we're committed to helping every member meet and exceed them. District Martial Arts in Arlington, Virginia is not a franchise. It is a martial arts academy built by practitioners, for practitioners at every level from first-day beginners to professional competitors.
Our Mission & Approach Our mission is simple: build martial artists who are better on and off the mat. That means world-class technical instruction in every discipline, a coaching staff that brings genuine competitive credentials to every class, and a culture that prioritizes personal growth, effort over ego, and community over individual achievement. The physical and mental benefits of consistent martial arts training align closely with the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity guidelines and we're committed to helping every member meet and exceed them. District Martial Arts in Arlington, Virginia is not a franchise. It is a martial arts academy built by practitioners, for practitioners at every level from first-day beginners to professional competitors.

What Separates DMA

Six BJJ black belt coaches. A Muay Thai head coach who is a 3x World Champion and #3 ranked USA WBC fighter. Boxing coaches certified by USA Boxing with a combined 46 years of competitive experience. Division I NCAA wrestlers running the wrestling program. An MMA coaching staff that includes an IBJJF No-Gi European Champion, a Marine Corps veteran, and an active amateur fighter with USA Boxing certification.

These are not credentials assembled for a website. They are the actual people who will coach you when you walk through the door at 927 N Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

 

Our Community

“DMA has everything you could want in a martial arts gym. Excellent coaches and an awesome culture. A gym with all disciplines, all levels, and classes at multiple times throughout the day. Having been to numerous gyms in the area, I’d recommend DMA without hesitation and would consider them the best in the DMV area.” — Dr. Eric Armakan

“If you want to feel like a badass woman, DMA is the place for you.” — Grace A. Ibrahim

“District Martial Arts has an amazing group of people who consistently train together, are great martial artists and care about the quality of instruction.” — George Medrano

SIGN UP FOR a trial TODAY

MEET some of our expert instructors

ground fighting specialist
SAM SHAWA Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Kids competition team coach
mixed martial arts instructor
CHARLES DIGISCO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU & FIGHT TEAM COACH
combat sports coach
NOEL CARVAJAL BOXING COACH
Marcos
MARCOS VASQUEZ MUAY THAI COACH
Z
Jose “Zezão Trator” Gomes BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
unnamed (3) (2)
SHANE MARSHALL MMA Coach
Jiu-Jitsu and MMA coach
KHALDON ROUKIE MMA COACH
martial artrs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
MARK CIRELLO WRESTLING COACH
MMA coaching
ANTONIO CRAWFORD BOXING TRAINER
ground fighting specialist
TREY ELLIS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
Eric – Martial Arts Trainer
ERIC BORIO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
Kids Martial Arts Instructor
GRACE DIGISCO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU KIDS COACH
martial arts expert
ANDREA TANG BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU KIDS COACH
kickboxing techniques
NOAH LEVETT WRESTLING COACH
Muay Thai & Kickboxing Trainer
PATRICK STODEL BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
image (2)
CASEY OGDEN JIU-JITSU COACH
Wrestling & Grappling Coach
CARTER BROWNRIGG BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
mixed martial arts trainer
ARIES REYES BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
John
JOHN GOODMAN BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU KIDS COACH
IMG_5463
CHRISTINA KILMER YOGA TEACHER

Frequently Asked Questions

CLIENTS REVIEWS

- George Medrano
District Martial Arts has an amazing group of people who consistently train together, are great martial artists and care about the quality of instruction, training and taking their students through the martial arts journey. I recommend this school if you want to train REAL self-defense Brazilian jiu-jitsu!
- Marian H. Stearns
I love coming to open mat here on Saturdays. I am new to jiu jitsu and they have been extremely welcoming. Great community. Great people.
- Grace A. Ibrahim
Excellent instructors. Cater to every students’ needs. Big on safety and warm-ups, decreasing risk of injury. This place is perfect if you want to do full-contact fighting, or just train for weight-loss and endurance. Definitely the best place around.
- Travis S. Bailey
I visited DMA for my first introductory class. I have experience with grappling martial arts, but this was a muay thai class. The environment there is awesome. Everyone is serious about learning and pushing themselves, but nobody takes themselves too seriously to enjoy each other.
- Grace A. Ibrahim
I came into District Martial Arts not knowing a thing about boxing! Not only was I met by friendly faces, but the boxing coaches made me feel extremely welcomed. In just a few weeks my self defense skills improved, I found major stress relief in going to my weekly classes, and my self confidence excitingly increased! If you want to feel like a badass woman, DMA is the place for you!
What programs do you offer?
We offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai, and Boxing for adults, as well as youth martial arts programs designed for ages 6–14

Do I need prior experience?
No experience is needed. We have beginner-friendly classes and our coaches will guide you step-by-step.


Do you have competition programs?
Yes have competition programs for all of our martial art disciplines

Do you offer a trial program?
Yes, we offer a 2-day trial program for just $39! This way you can experience our training environment before committing.
What should I wear for my first class?
Comfortable athletic wear is fine. We provide loaner gear for your first session if needed.

Is there parking available?
Yes, we have convenient parking near the gym as well as public transportation access via the Ballston-MU Metro station.
What’s the class size like?
We keep class sizes manageable to ensure personal attention from our coaches.
How do memberships work?
We offer flexible membership options including month-to-month plans and annual memberships.
Is martial arts training safe?
Yes. Safety is our top priority. We teach proper techniques and pair students with appropriate partners.
How do I sign up?
Click the “Join Us Today” button on our website or contact us directly to reserve your first class.
How to contact District Martial Arts?
Feel free to call or email us
District Martial Arts

Live near Arlington and want to learn Jiu Jitsu from the best? Our trainers have the experience needed to put you where you need to be. Sign up for a free Jiu Jitsu Session Today!

Contact us

Phone

(703) 988-3474

Email

info@districtmartialarts.com

Address

927 N Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22203
Stay Connected
ground fighting specialist

SAM SHAWA

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Kids competition team coach

Sam Shawa began his martial arts journey at the age of 8, and his passion for the art has only grown stronger over the years. He has trained extensively in Taekwondo, Kajukenbo, Boxing, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), competing in multiple BJJ tournaments across the country. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Sam has dedicated the past 18 years to mastering the art.

He is known for his deep understanding of martial arts, his easygoing and approachable nature, and his exceptionally strong grips both on and off the mat.

mixed martial arts instructor

CHARLES DIGISCO

MMA COACH

A longtime MMA coach, Brazilian jiu-jitsu BLACK belt, and multidisciplinary combat sports athlete, Charles has competed successfully in both MMA and submission grappling, where he recently became the IBJJF No-Gi European Champion in his division. In addition to his accomplishments as a coach and competitor, Charles also has a decade of experience as a combat sports commentator on UFC FightPass, as well as local DMV-area promotions such as Cagezilla and the Cowboy Fight Series. Charles draws upon his experience as a commentator to provide highly approachable breakdowns of martial arts technique and strategy to students of all levels.

combat sports coach

NOEL CARVAJAL

BOXING COACH
Noel is a big believer that he owes all of his success and everything that is good in his life to combat sports. His journey began as a weight loss journey that turned into a lifestyle after getting punched in the ring for the first time. Noel’s 30 bout career pointed him in the direction of coaching and being able to help another person make it into the ring. Carvajal approaches boxing and training with an analytical mindset along with empathy and intense pride for the sport, his athletes, and himself. Noel is a heavy believer in conditioning and using evidence-based approaches to shape the skill set of any fighter. You will always find Noel searching for ways to improve his coaching to bring the very best to his athletes.

Marcos Vasquez

Muay Thai Coach
Coach Marcos Vasquez  has over 50 amateur fights and an impressive 23-4 professional record. Marcos has competed on an international stage against top fighters from Brazil, Thailand, Chile, and beyond. Currently fighting out of Little Giant Muay Thai, he is a multiple-time champion, including 3x World Champion (2023-2024) and #3 ranked USA WBC Muay Thai fighter. Having also trained at elite camps in Phuket and Bangkok, Marcos brings world-class expertise and an unmatched passion for Muay Thai to our gym. Marcos enjoys teaching just as much as training and you can find him on the mats at DMA in our Muay Thai Classes! 

Jose “Zezão Trator” Gomes

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Born and raised in the legendary fighting hub of Belém, Pará, Brazil, Jose Gomes widely known as “Zezão Trator” is a world-class martial artist with a lifetime of experience. A 4th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and world champion, Coach Jose has competed at the highest levels of combat sports, amassing nearly 60 professional MMA fights with a record of 41 wins, 18 losses, and 1 draw. Known for his relentless, “tractor-like” pressure, he also brings master-level Capoeira, a black degree in Muay Thai with a 2–0 professional record, and an undefeated 5–0 amateur boxing record. Coach Jose delivers an elite level of authentic Brazilian martial arts training to District Martial Arts, blending real world experience with technical excellence.

SHANE MARSHALL

MMA Coach
An MMA coach with a 4-1 amateur record in the cage, ten years of wrestling experience, and multiple podium finishes in jiu-jitsu competition, including a gold medal in his no-gi division at the 2024 IBJJF American Nationals, Shane enjoys teaching students of all levels, ages, and abilities. In addition to his accomplishments as a martial artist, Shane is also a Marine Corps veteran. Shane teaches an all-levels MMA group class, and is additionally available for private lessons for both adults and children.
Jiu-Jitsu and MMA coach

KHALDON ROUKIE

MMA COACH

Khaldon Roukie is an active Amateur MMA fighter known as “Son of a Butcher,” who brings his elite fighting experience and certified expertise directly to the students of DMA. Khaldon holds a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and is a Certified USA Boxing Coach. He coaches striking, grappling, and integrated MMA strategy for students of all levels and is available for private lessons in BJJ, Boxing, MMA, and athletic strength and conditioning.

martial artrs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt

MARK CIRELLO

WRESTLING COACH
Former NCAA Division I wrestler and BJJ purple belt Mark currently teaches all-levels and advanced wrestling on weekday evenings. Over the course of his own wrestling career, Mark attended Blair Academy in New Jersey, one of the most elite prep schools for wrestling in the country, before moving to American University, where he competed for four years in three different weight classes, and placed 8th at the EIWA Conference Championships at 157 lbs. In addition to his competitive wrestling resume, Mark has trained in all subdisciplines of MMA for over a decade. Off the mats, Mark is an accomplished visual artist, specializing in surrealist-realist painting.
In addition to his group classes, Mark is available for private lessons, where he focuses on helping jiu-jitsu and MMA athletes develop their wrestling skills for competition.
MMA coaching

ANTONIO CRAWFORD

BOXING TRAINER
Antonio has been boxing for over 16 years now. His training technique is based on traditional, practical uses for combat and self-defense. Antonio approaches boxing as a science, breaking down the mechanics to give a firm understanding of proper form and technique, offensive and defensive tactics, and how to formulate an effective fighting strategy. Some of the many reasons why Antonio likes to coach: Wants to teach students how to defend themselves Boxing is a full body workout using all your body’s muscles plus your brain. Antonio has worked at numerous boxing gym and has trained all spectrums of ages, teaches classes and does individual personal training.
ground fighting specialist

TREY ELLIS

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH

A black belt and dedicated jiu-jitsu practitioner since 2011, Trey brings more than a decade of grappling experience to the mats, where you can find him teaching in the gi bright and early on Monday mornings, and coaching DMA’s no-gi jiu-jitsu classes throughout the week during both mornings and lunch hours. In addition to his jiu-jitsu experience, Trey is also a Navy corpsman certified in Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED instruction.

Eric – Martial Arts Trainer

ERIC BORIO

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt with six years of training, which he’s put to the test on the international stage under the IBJJF, Eric can be found helping out new students at Introduction to BJJ and all-levels gi classes, where he serves as an assistant coach. In addition to his pursuits on the mats, he’s also an avid marksman, and outside of DMA, regularly participates in shooting competitions.

Kids Martial Arts Instructor

GRACE DIGISCO

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU KIDS COACH
Growing up in Saudi Arabia, Grace began her athletic career in swimming at just 3 years old. In 2005, she began swimming for the Jordan Olympic Team, traveling while competing, and in 2011 began her D1 swimming career at American University. Her love of martial arts came after she retired her cap and goggles and switched them for a pair of boxing gloves and a Gi in 2017 at District Martial Arts. One blue belt later, she has no plans of stopping. Off the mat, you’ll probably find Grace near a stage or with a camera in her hand!
martial arts expert

ANDREA TANG

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU KIDS COACH

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Andrea enjoys teaching grappling skills to students of all ages and ability levels, with an emphasis on helping newer athletes prepare both mentally and physically for tournaments. An avid competitor in her own right, Andrea is an IBJJF Pan-American, European, and American National no-gi champion in the masters’ division, and has also competed successfully at both adult and masters’ levels in ADCC and submission-only rulesets. Outside of her martial arts practice, Andrea works as a freelance writer and author of several accolade-winning science fiction, fantasy, and young adult novels.

Andrea teaches jiu-jitsu classes for both children and adults, and is available for private lessons to students of all ages.

kickboxing techniques

NOAH LEVETT

WRESTLING COACH
An NCAA Division I wrestler out of Bucknell University, Noah now coaches Introduction to Wrestling here at DMA, where he enjoys introducing beginners to the sport, and helping jiu-jitsu and MMA athletes perfect their takedown game. His accomplishments in wrestling include a whopping 159 career wins on a Top 20 nationally-ranked collegiate team that earned him the school record; he’s also a 2-time county champion, a WPIAL champion, a 3-time state place winner, and a 4-time takedown-per-season leader. In addition to his group classes, Noah is available for private lessons in wrestling for students of all ages.
Muay Thai & Kickboxing Trainer

PATRICK STODEL

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
With over a decade of jiu-jitsu experience under his purple belt, Patrick can be found teaching Introduction to BJJ — a class focused on brand new beginners — and helping out with the DMA kids’ program. He has previously trained under world famous black belts Marcelo Garcia and Ralph Gracie, and developed a particular passion for making jiu-jitsu accessible, fun, and safe for people of all ages and fitness levels. When he’s not teaching the gentle art, Patrick stays busy raising his family and leading the global tax division of a major pharmaceutical company. Patrick is available for private lessons, and is especially interested in working with beginner students seeking out guidance on how to start their jiu-jitsu journey.

Casey Ogden

JIU-JITSU COACH
With over 12 years of Jiu Jitsu experience, Casey Ogden is a Black Belt under the Renato Tavares Association and brings a background in wrestling. Casey combines effective grappling fundamentals with modern training methods specializing in leg locks and takedowns to create a well-rounded approach for students of all levels. A competitor at heart, Casey is also the Good Fight Tennessee Lightweight Champion and New Breed Nashville Middleweight (Advanced) Champion—but his true passion lies in helping others reach their potential and grow through Jiu Jitsu.
Wrestling & Grappling Coach

CARTER BROWNRIGG

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with a master’s degree in teaching, Carter leads both gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu classes at DMA on Mondays and Wednesdays. In addition to his coaching experience on the mat, he’s also been a high school math teacher by trade for ten years, and loves to play basketball and volleyball. Outside of his group classes, he is available for private lessons to adult students of all levels.
mixed martial arts trainer

Aries Reyes

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COACH

Aries Reyes is a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with over 10 years of experience training and teaching the art. His passion for BJJ is evident in every class he leads, as he strives to help students of all levels improve their technique, build confidence, and reach their personal goals.
Aries has trained under Professors Sam Shawa and Scott Dance, learning valuable techniques and insights that he now shares with his students. His coaching style emphasizes precision, practical application, and a supportive atmosphere, making sure that each student progresses at their own pace while being challenged to improve.

John Goodman

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU KIDS COACH

John, an Army veteran, was initially introduced to jiu jitsu and combat sports from the Modern Army Combatives program in 2009. He is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt with over seven years of experience supporting youth and introductory programs. John tries to actively compete when he isn’t busy chasing his two little kids around, and strives to help students of all levels and ages build confidence, achieve their goals, and reach their highest potential.