Merced MMA
Merced Mixed Martial Arts Academy (Merced MMA), 745 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340
About
Merced MMA offers classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Submission Wrestling, Kickboxing and Muay Thai, Kajukenbo, and Judo. The program also includes Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kids Submission Wrestling, Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Self Defense, and several Women’s Conditioning and Women’s Bootcamp/Conditioning options.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options are available Monday through Friday with morning, midday, and afternoon/evening times, plus Saturday and Sunday morning options.
Merced MMA opened in 2007 and offers a full-range fitness center with free weights, punching bags, pull up stations, body weight bars, and a full-sized boxing ring available to members. The academy teaches traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from the Flavio Behring Jiu-Jitsu system, and both Kids and Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs are under 9th degree Red Belt Grandmaster Flavio Behring. Membership at Merced MMA also allows training at Oakdale MMA and Sonora MMA, which are sister schools and part of the same Flavio Behring family.
Merced MMA is owned and operated by Professor Marcos Tomé, a 3rd degree Black Belt Professor in Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu, who also teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Wrestling, Women’s Conditioning, and Kickboxing and holds a brown belt in Judo. He serves as an Athletic Inspector for the California State Athletic Commission and received the 2020 Hands on Hero award from the Merced County Office of Education for his work with children. The leadership and instructor team includes Professor Tom Theofanopoulos, Professor Marcos Tomé, Instructor Chris Bucao, Instructor Sergio Guerrero, Instructor Nick Gonzalez, Instructor Chris Curtis, Instructor Ryan La Fuente, Instructor Joey Gonzalez, Instructor Gustavo Guerrero, Instructor Pardeep Singh, Instructor Daniel De Los Santos, Instructor Vinicius Tomé, Instructor Elvira Mix, Ryan La Fuente, and Johnny Inthavong. Instructor credentials listed include multiple Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu black belts and brown and blue belts, as well as ranks in Kickboxing and Judo. In 2014, Professor Tom Theofanopoulos received the Califights lifetime achievement award.
The program’s mission includes the belief, often stated by Professor Marcos Tomé, that “Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone,” with no age limits and an emphasis on the strength of the mind rather than the body. The mission also states that this form of martial arts “will give back to you 10 fold and will truly change your life,” and that Merced MMA aims to inspire students to set new goals, reach new limits, make new friends, and have fun. Merced MMA describes itself as offering a community where students feel like family when they walk in the doors.
Merced MMA has been serving the Merced community since 2007 and is a member of the Flavio Behring family under Grandmaster Flavio Behring. It is partnered with Oakdale MMA and Sonora MMA, and membership at Merced MMA includes the ability to train at those academies as well.
Parent and student testimonials describe classes as a mix of discipline, learning, and fun, and note that children look forward to attending. Parents report that Professor Marcos teaches respect and discipline and expects kids to train hard, and describe Merced MMA as a place where their kids learn to be confident and capable individuals. Students describe the facility as first-rate, with knowledgeable staff, clean bathrooms, and a large space, and they mention that coaches, staff, and teammates are nice and helpful. Multiple testimonials recommend Merced MMA and describe it as a place that feels like family and where students are held accountable for their achievements.
Last updated April 4, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Class options are available Monday through Friday with morning, midday, and afternoon/evening times, plus Saturday and Sunday morning options.
Merced MMA opened in 2007 and offers a full-range fitness center with free weights, punching bags, pull up stations, body weight bars, and a full-sized boxing ring available to members. The academy teaches traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from the Flavio Behring Jiu-Jitsu system, and both Kids and Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs are under 9th degree Red Belt Grandmaster Flavio Behring. Membership at Merced MMA also allows training at Oakdale MMA and Sonora MMA, which are sister schools and part of the same Flavio Behring family.
Merced MMA is owned and operated by Professor Marcos Tomé, a 3rd degree Black Belt Professor in Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu, who also teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Wrestling, Women’s Conditioning, and Kickboxing and holds a brown belt in Judo. He serves as an Athletic Inspector for the California State Athletic Commission and received the 2020 Hands on Hero award from the Merced County Office of Education for his work with children. The leadership and instructor team includes Professor Tom Theofanopoulos, Professor Marcos Tomé, Instructor Chris Bucao, Instructor Sergio Guerrero, Instructor Nick Gonzalez, Instructor Chris Curtis, Instructor Ryan La Fuente, Instructor Joey Gonzalez, Instructor Gustavo Guerrero, Instructor Pardeep Singh, Instructor Daniel De Los Santos, Instructor Vinicius Tomé, Instructor Elvira Mix, Ryan La Fuente, and Johnny Inthavong. Instructor credentials listed include multiple Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu black belts and brown and blue belts, as well as ranks in Kickboxing and Judo. In 2014, Professor Tom Theofanopoulos received the Califights lifetime achievement award.
The program’s mission includes the belief, often stated by Professor Marcos Tomé, that “Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone,” with no age limits and an emphasis on the strength of the mind rather than the body. The mission also states that this form of martial arts “will give back to you 10 fold and will truly change your life,” and that Merced MMA aims to inspire students to set new goals, reach new limits, make new friends, and have fun. Merced MMA describes itself as offering a community where students feel like family when they walk in the doors.
Merced MMA has been serving the Merced community since 2007 and is a member of the Flavio Behring family under Grandmaster Flavio Behring. It is partnered with Oakdale MMA and Sonora MMA, and membership at Merced MMA includes the ability to train at those academies as well.
Parent and student testimonials describe classes as a mix of discipline, learning, and fun, and note that children look forward to attending. Parents report that Professor Marcos teaches respect and discipline and expects kids to train hard, and describe Merced MMA as a place where their kids learn to be confident and capable individuals. Students describe the facility as first-rate, with knowledgeable staff, clean bathrooms, and a large space, and they mention that coaches, staff, and teammates are nice and helpful. Multiple testimonials recommend Merced MMA and describe it as a place that feels like family and where students are held accountable for their achievements.
Last updated April 4, 2026.
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