John Rallo and Rocky Marcantoni met while training under Mark Finley at the Baltimore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club. After meeting the legendary Renzo Gracie Rocky and John began driving up to New York on a regular basis to train with Renzo. Eventually, Mark decided to give the club to Rocky and John.

John spent time competing and making industry connections while Rocky taught BJJ at the club. The name of the club was changed several years later to Ground Control as BJJ is a grappling art. As the sport of MMA began to gain popularity among the masses it became clear that Ground Control could be much more than a club renting space in various fitness centers. At that time the partners decided to rent space in a Canton, Baltimore warehouse; however, within a year it became apparent that that the 1000 square foot space that they rented was too small for their growing membership. Subsequently, they moved into a 3500 Square Foot facility in the same building which the company out grew in two years. That brought the partners to their current 6000 square foot gym on O’Donnell St. in Baltimore, MD. They have recently opened two new academies in Columbia, MD, and Owings Mills, MD.

During that time they added several martial arts to their BJJ program. Personal trainer and former pro kick boxer Henry Smith put together a Muay Thai Kickboxing and Boxing program for Ground Control. Additionally, wrestling and Judo were added to the class schedule making Ground Control a MMA Academy.

After sustaining a knee injury John Rallo decided that Ground Control could start training other fighters for amateur and professional MMA competitions. Subsequently, the academy has produced a team of amateur and pro fighters that are gaining significant recognition in the sport. In the years to come Ground Control pans to become the premiere MMA school in the country.