About Oak City BJJ:

Located in the heart of Raleigh at 5655-A Western Blvd, Oak City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial arts academy. It is a sanctuary for personal growth, a gathering space for driven individuals, and a modern dojo where both tradition and innovation live side-by-side.

Founded by lifelong martial artist Ross Duncan, Oak City BJJ represents decades of technical refinement, cultural respect, and community-centered instruction. From its foundation, the mission has been simple yet powerful: to build better people through the disciplined pursuit of martial arts. Our classes attract practitioners from all walks of life—law enforcement professionals, tech workers, parents, teens, and retirees. We all come together for one reason: to become stronger in body, sharper in mind, and more rooted in spirit.

At Oak City, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all martial arts approach. That’s why we blend ecological training systems with classical martial pedagogy. Students can explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Tai Chi, Wrestling, and Filipino Kali, experiencing each art in its full expression while discovering the synergy between them.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is at the core of what we do. It provides an adaptable, effective foundation that benefits students of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you are looking for self-defense, a competitive outlet, or a new approach to personal discipline, BJJ offers a transformative journey. Our instruction includes both Gi and No-Gi formats, with a structured curriculum that welcomes beginners while continually challenging advanced students.

Beyond the mat, Oak City BJJ is a deeply connected community. Students become friends, training partners become mentors, and teammates often feel like family. The mat serves as an equalizer—a place where social boundaries dissolve, and what matters is commitment, integrity, and effort. Our classes are designed to foster not just physical skill, but also emotional resilience and mental clarity.

One of the distinguishing features of Oak City is our dual commitment to sport and self-defense. We prepare competitors to win medals at prestigious tournaments, while also giving everyday individuals the tools to protect themselves and their loved ones. Our self-defense philosophy is rooted in practical application, scenario-based training, and confidence building through realistic drills.

Founder & Head Instructor, at Oak City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Ross Duncan is a lifelong martial artist whose journey began at just 9 years old with his first Tae Kwon Do class. From that very first moment, he knew he would one day open his own academy. Thirty-five years later, that vision came to life with the founding of Oak City Jiu-Jitsu in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Ross has spent his entire life immersed in martial arts—both traditional and modern. He wrestled throughout middle and high school and earned a black belt in traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu before the age of 20 under 7th-degree black belt SP Sully. In the late 1990s, Ross stepped into the early MMA scene, testing himself in a time when the sport was still raw and undefined. He later expanded his martial foundation by studying several traditional Chinese systems, including Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Bagua, and Xing Yi, as well as Japanese sword arts like Kenjutsu and Iaido.

His pursuit of mastery didn’t stop at striking and forms. Ross also became a certified instructor in Filipino Martial Arts (Kali) under Guro Bryan Broussard, training in both weapons and empty-hand applications.

Yet, true to his belief in lifelong learning, Ross recognized over a decade ago that ground fighting was a gap in his game. Although he had been exposed to grappling in the 1990s, the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu had evolved tremendously. So, despite holding black belts and decades of experience, Ross humbled himself by putting on a white belt once again and starting fresh.

After visiting several academies, he found his home at Elevate MMA Academy under Professor Cody Maltais, where he discovered not just elite training, but a community that challenged and supported him. He embraced the competitive aspect of modern BJJ and earned his black belt in December 2024. During this journey, Ross also began training in Shuai Jiao, the Chinese wrestling art, bringing together his love for traditional martial philosophy and competitive grappling.

Ross's competitive accomplishments include a 3–1 record at brown and black belt at Toro Cup, one of the East Coast's most prestigious invitational grappling events, and representing Team USA in 2024 at the Shuai Jiao World Championship in BaoDing, China, where he earned a bronze medal.

Beyond martial arts, Ross is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for service and community care. He is also the founder of Lotus Temple Massage, Raleigh’s premier massage therapy center for pain management and stress relief. His experience in customer-focused business management carries over into Oak City BJJ, where every student is treated with professionalism, warmth, and individualized care.

When not teaching or training, Ross spends time with his two children, aged 11 and 18, enjoys time with family, and connects with nature. You might find him foraging for culinary mushrooms, working in his garden, or relaxing with a book and a cup of coffee at his favorite local café, Cup A Joe.

Ross brings more than just skill and credentials to Oak City—he brings heart, humility, and a deep love for the martial arts lifestyle. His mission is simple: to help others discover the transformative power of martial arts, just as he did.