About Music City Martial Arts
Nashville's premier martial arts and fitness academy — the headquarters for all Sean Hammond programs, and home to one of the Southeast's most respected BJJ lineages since 2001.
Built on Lineage. Raised to a Higher Standard.
Ed Clay brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Luiz Palhares from Brazil in 2001 with a single vision: build the dominant martial arts academy in Middle Tennessee and throughout the Southeast. That vision became Team Shawn Hammonds — one of Tennessee's most respected grappling programs — and the foundation everything at MCMA is built on.
From the beginning, the standard here was different. Fighters were required to train for two years before earning their first BJJ belt and competing under the banner. That commitment to fundamentals and discipline — not shortcuts — is why this lineage has produced champions in the ring, the cage, and on the mats for over two decades.
Music City Martial Arts is the new headquarters for all Sean Hammond programs, housed in a 3,000 sq ft premium facility in Berry Hill with stadium-style spectator seating, top-tier weightlifting equipment, and a training environment that attracts serious practitioners and complete beginners alike — including members of Nashville's Metro SWAT team.
MCMA is also home to a full Wellness & Recovery suite — peptide therapy, red light, hormone replacement, IV recovery, saunas, and premium supplementation — making it Nashville's only true one-stop fight and fitness facility. Nick also supports Kintsugi Kinetics, a nonprofit committed to using martial arts for community development.
"Come train with us and become part of the tradition."
What We Stand For
The Lineage
Every technique taught at MCMA traces back to Luiz Palhares and the Shawn Hammonds BJJ Association. You're not joining a gym — you're joining a tradition.
The Standard
We don't cut corners. The same discipline that built champions on this mat for 20+ years is what every student — beginner or advanced — trains under.
The Facility
This isn't a dingy back-room gym. MCMA is a premium, meticulously maintained facility designed to attract people who take their health and training seriously.
Have questions? Browse our FAQ or contact us directly.
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