Merced MMA

Merced MMA offers classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Submission Wrestling, Kickboxing, Self Defense, and Women’s Conditioning, including Women’s Conditioning Bootcamp and Women’s Bootcamp/Conditioning. The program includes Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Summer Camp, and Summer Sessions. July Summer Camp days run from 9am to 12:30pm and include snack and lunch served daily.

• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: July Summer Camp meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (July 20, 22, and 24) from 9am–12:30pm with 8:45am drop-off; the school offers classes seven days a week during morning, midday, and evening hours.
• Price: July Summer Camp costs $50 per day or $130 for all three days.

Merced Mixed Martial Arts Academy opened in July 2007 and has been serving the Merced community since 2007. Merced MMA offers classes for adults age 13 and up, children ages 4–12, and women, and holds regular sessions of Women’s Conditioning Bootcamp. Summer Sessions are offered with Coach Vinicius (Vinnie) Tomé, and space for the July Summer Camp is limited with multiple instructors for camp.

Merced MMA is owned and operated by Professor Marcos Tomé, a 3rd degree Black Belt Professor in Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu, a kickboxing instructor, a brown belt in judo, and an Athletic Inspector for the California State Athletic Commission. The leadership team includes Professor Tom Theofanopoulos (4th degree Black Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Chris Bucao (Black Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Sergio Guerrero (Brown Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Nick Gonzalez (Blue Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Chris Curtis (Black Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Ryan La Fuente, Instructor Joey Gonzalez (Kids Submission Wrestling), Instructor Gustavo Guerrero (Blue Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Pardeep Singh (Brown Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Daniel De Los Santos (Black Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Vinicius Tomé (Blue Belt, Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu), Instructor Elvira Mix (Kickboxing and Muay Thai), Ryan La Fuente (Kickboxing and Muay Thai), and Johnny Inthavong. Instructor Chris Bucao, Instructor Chris Curtis, and Instructor Daniel De Los Santos are all Black Belts in Flavio Behring Jiu Jitsu, and several other instructors hold brown or blue belts in the same system.

Merced MMA teaches traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from the Flavio Behring Jiu-Jitsu system and is a member of the Flavio Behring family under 9th degree Red Belt Grandmaster Flavio Behring. Merced MMA is partnered with Oakdale MMA and Sonora MMA and is a sister school to both; membership at Merced MMA also allows training at those academies. The academy 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 any member.

Professor Marcos Tomé often says, “Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone,” and states that there are no age limits for Jiu-Jitsu and that it does not depend on strength of the body, only the strength of the mind. The mission at Merced MMA is to inspire students to set new goals, reach new limits, make new friends, and have fun. In 2014, Professor Tom Theofanopoulos received the Califights lifetime achievement award, and in 2020 Professor Marcos Tomé received the Hands on Hero award from the Merced County Office of Education for his work with children.

Parents and students describe Merced MMA as having a mix of discipline, learning, and fun, with coaches, staff, and teammates who are nice and helpful. One parent notes that their child looks forward to class and that Professor Marcos teaches respect and discipline and expects the kids to train hard. Students and parents mention that the facility is big, that the bathrooms are kept clean, and that they feel like family at the gym. Multiple testimonials state that the training is quality and that they highly recommend Merced MMA.

Last updated July 3, 2026.