WELCOME

Pride Lands is more than a gym - it's a community of dedicated coaches and students that become family. We are an established gym with high-level coaches that trained under the best in the world.

Pride Lands MMA HQ is currently the highest rated MMA academy in the Greater Scranton Area with over 100 five star reviews. Now we are coming down to New Braunfels, TX to bring our passion and skill to more students.

Whether you work a full-time job and are looking for a stress outlet, searching for self-defense, or wanting to become a top fighter-- we are here to help you accomplish your goals.

Meet the OWNER

JASON RATCHFORD

Owner & Head Instructor

Jason Ratchford holds a 3rd degree Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie and 1st degree Black Belt in Judo under Fred Murty. Jason started practicing martial arts in his late teens-- developing skills in BJJ, Judo, Boxing, and MMA. In 2009, he opened his academy, Pride Lands MMA, in Scranton and become the first person in NEPA to hold black belts in both Jiu-Jitsu and Judo.

After opening, Jason began traveling to NYC to train under John Danaher, alongside the "Danaher Death Squad". Traveling regularly throughout the week to train with the best in the world was a notable memory of Jason's career, crediting his training partners and teachers from Renzo Gracie NYC for all the skills he has gathered.

Pride Lands MMA is now the highest rated MMA academy in the Greater Scranton Area, with over 15 years of being opened. After dreaming of moving south for decades, Jason is proud to finally be opening a second location of his gym in New Braunfels, TX where he plans on focusing on Jiu-Jitsu for competition, hobby, and MMA. Jason still travels to train under John Danaher at Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu.

Jason is passionate about changing lives through the power of martial arts and can't wait for you to join the family.