Welcome
Our Philosophy
We are a veteran owned martial arts school located in Kingsport, TN with over 3 decades of experience in training and teaching martial arts to hobbyists and professional fighters.
Our philosophy of martial arts training is two fold. First, the obvious gain of skills that can be used in self-defense and combat. Secondarily, but even more important, the subtle and strong development of virtues such as courage, humility, focus, and perseverance.
Training in Karate and BJJ isn’t just about learning to beat someone up, it’s about learning to master yourself. Whether you are looking to get in shape, build confidence and focus, or become a competitive athlete, training at Duncan MMA can help you achieve your goals!
It’s not just about fighting or winning trophies, it’s about developing our character and learning to stand up under difficulty.
Home of
Duncan MMA is home to Kingsport Jiu-Jitsu, Kingsport Karate, and the Kingsport Wrestling Club. Premier MMA, BJJ, and wrestling training in Kingsport, TN.
Staff
Our Instructors
Brian Duncan
Dr. Brian Duncan has been training in martial arts for 3 decades. He currently holds a 5th degree black belt in SGC Karate & Kickboxing and a purple belt in BJJ. Coach Brian also has a 2nd degree black belt in Koei-Kan Karate and a black belt in Wing Chun.
Tom Clerici
Tom Clerici is a BJJ brown belt having trained under Professor Steven Bongiorno, Professor Jay Regalbuto, and Professor Chris Massie. He has prepared world-class competitors for ADCC World Championships and Trials, IBJJF World and Pan Championships, EBI Invitationals and many local and national tournaments.
Kelly Cliffords
Kelly Cliffords has over a 13 years of experience in folk style wrestling and has been a coached by retired, MMA fighter and wrestling champion, Jordan Johnson and was also a training partner of UFC Lightweight fighter, Grant Dawson.
Steven Bongiorno
Steven Bongiorno has been training in martial arts for over 40 years. He earned his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Ricardo Almeida in 2005 and currently holds a third degree black belt. The owner of South Jersey Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he has multiple BJJ affiliate schools and is active in all of them. He has trained with UFC fighters, prepared world champions, and actively teaches professional MMA fighters, jiu jitsu competitors, and BJJ hobbyists of all ages. In August of 2019 he was inducted into the New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Assistants
Junior Coaches
Sophia Duncan
Sophia Duncan has been training for 9 years. She has a yellow belt in BJJ and a purple belt in SGC Karate. She helps to coach the kids classes.
Elena Duncan
Elena Duncan has been training for 8 years. She has a yellow belt in BJJ and a purple belt in SGC Karate. She helps to coach the Little Ninjas classes.
Gwendolyn Duncan
Gwendolyn Duncan has been training for 6 years. She has a grey belt in BJJ and a yellow belt in SGC Karate. She helps to coach the Little Ninjas classes.
Our Results in Numbers
A 1985 study found that children in martial arts have an increased sense of responsibili-
ty, and a higher sense of self-esteem.
People Talk About Us
Our Training
Affilliations
The head black belt of our BJJ program is Steven Bongiorno, founder of South Jersey BJJ, a 3rd degree BJJ black under Ricardo Almeida, and member of the New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Steve (and other members of South Jersey BJJ) brings decades of knowledge and experience to our BJJ program and makes regular visits to the gym to share this knowledge with us and promote our students in rank.
Being part of South Jersey BJJ is like being part of a family. Visit their website to learn more about South Jersey BJJ.
We are an official partner of Adopt a Cop BJJ, an organization dedicated to providing BJJ learning opportunity to police officers.
As an official Adopt a Cop BJJ gym, we always sponsor at least one police officer by offering them FREE BJJ training until they reach their blue belt. We extend a discounted rate of $50 a month for all other LEOs interested in training BJJ, and Adopt a Cop BJJ offers sholarships so this training can often be free.
In addition, Duncan MMA provides 20% on all other programs, memberships, and gear to LEOs that train at our Gym.
Finally, we also host a FREE workshop once a month for LEOs, veterans, and first responders that helps to apply BJJ in a practical way for safely controlling a suspect without injury or escalation of the situation. Coach Tom, an Air Force veteran, and Coach Brian, who previously worked in security, have the confidence and knowledge to instruct law enforcement officers safely and effectively.
Software JJ is owned and run by BJJ black belt Michael Kelso. The goal behind Software JJ is to provide students with a effective BJJ skill acquisition through radial learning by using Deliberate and Deep Practice. This is a systematic and modern approach to Jiu-Jitsu , applicable to both traditional self-defense and competitive sport. Professor Kelso from Software JJ makes a trip out to share his knowledge and experience with us once a quarter.
Learn more on the Software JJ website.
BJJ Globetrotters is not your normal BJJ affiliation. Affiliation with Globetrotters is open to anyone who wants to join and is free! “The main requirement to join is to spread—and agree with—our message”.
The idea behind BJJ Globetrotters is to foster an open community centered around sharing jujitsu with one another and having mutual respect. Most importantly, no BJJ politics!