Worth the drive. The desert students who train here always say so.
Reserve Your Private TrialBorrego Springs sits in the Anza-Borrego desert, surrounded by mountains and miles of open desert highway. The dedicated few who want a long-term, structured martial arts program make the drive into Ramona MMA Center to train.
It’s a longer trip than most of our other service areas, and we’re honest about that. But the desert residents who commit to the drive don’t look back. The structure, the coaching, and the community make the trip into a routine that becomes part of their week.
Most Borrego Springs students don’t train every day. They train two or three times a week, often combining sessions into longer training days when they make the trip. A common pattern: drive in mid-afternoon, train an evening Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, then a striking or wrestling class right after, then drive home. Two classes in one trip turns the long drive into a worthwhile investment.
The reason it’s worth it: depth. Ramona MMA Center has been operating for more than two decades. The Jiu-Jitsu program is led by Professor Kevin Hosseini, a 4th-degree black belt in the Rickson Gracie lineage. The wrestling program is led by Tyler McKay, the head wrestling coach at Ramona High School. The striking program comes from authentic Muay Thai lineage. That depth is what makes the trip worth it for committed students.
For students traveling from Borrego Springs, the programs that get the most value out of a longer drive tend to be the ones built on technical depth and progression:
Many Borrego Springs adults choose the Full Access program so they can rotate between disciplines and get the most out of each trip.
The drive from Borrego Springs to Ramona MMA Center is about 52 miles, typically 1 hour 15 minutes. Most desert students take Highway 78 west through Ocotillo Wells and Julian, then descend into Ramona. The gym is at 2102 Main Street, Suite 2 in downtown Ramona, with parking out front. Class blocks are scheduled to allow back-to-back training, which makes the longer drive efficient.
Desert residents tend to be self-reliant, focused, and a little stubborn — which makes them strong martial artists. The students from Borrego Springs who train here are some of our most committed members. The gym recognizes the commitment and the relationships build quickly. New students are paired with experienced partners, treated with respect, and brought into the program at their own pace.
Every discipline is taught across age-grouped and skill-grouped tracks. Borrego Springs students fit into the program at the right starting point, whether that’s a kid joining the youth Jiu-Jitsu track or an adult committing to a structured beginner curriculum.
For a full breakdown of any program, visit the Programs hub or the class schedule.
Many Borrego Springs students combine the core program with our specialty programs:
Each program is fully integrated into the weekly schedule. View the class schedule or reserve a private trial to walk through the program that fits.
Ramona MMA Center has been operating for more than two decades, training students of every age and experience level. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program is led by Professor Kevin Hosseini, a 4th-degree black belt under Fabio Santos in the Rickson Gracie lineage — one of the most respected lines in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Wrestling is led by Tyler McKay, the head wrestling coach at Ramona High School. Striking is taught by experienced coaches with real lineage and competition backgrounds.
Every coach in the gym was developed inside the program, which keeps coaching consistent and the curriculum coherent across every class. Students train as part of a team where coaches and teammates are invested in their progress from day one.
If you live near Borrego Springs, your first session is complimentary. A coach will walk you through the gym and the program that fits your goals.
Reserve Your Private TrialOne private session with a black belt. One walk-through of the Center. Zero pressure. Reserve before the timer ends and your offer is held if you decide to join.
