United States MMA Frequently Asked Questions

As a 39 year old guy trying to balance a career, family, and a love of good food (which showed) I couldn't be happier with my decision to join USSMA. In just 6 months I have gone from a couch potato weighing in at 240Lbs to 215 Lbs, 3 waist sizes less, 35 Pts lower in my cholesterol from my recent physical and not to mention the huge boost in energy, strength, flexibility and a feeling of confidence. The staff at USSMA are true professionals, and the people in the classes are very friendly and helpful -- you feel comfortable from the first visit. Don't wait any longer, try a class now and you will not regret it!
- Derek, Upton, MA - 39 Year Old Sales Professional

"I started my Mixed Martial Arts training in Milford, MA with the Massachusetts Submission Academy 2. At that time I was doing it two, maybe three days a week. I made the decision to train for fight. I had a talk with the head instructor, Matt Phinney and it became one of the best decisions I could have made. Matty took me in, developed my basic skills, and got me in the best shape of my life. I went from 330 lbs to 260 lbs and he helped me to become a skilled fighter. More importantly he became one of my closest friends. As my training came along I received a lot of help along the way from Jorge Rivera and Tom Hafers and in three short months I got ready and won my first fight. When it came time to get ready for my second fight everyone was there to help me out again, and although I lost in my second effort the fight was runner up for fight of the year in Massachusetts." "When I switched over from the MSA2 to USMMA I found that nothing has changed. My skills continue to improve under the guidance of Matty, Tommy, and Jorge! In my opinion USMMA has the best facility and trainers in Mass and are second to no one. They have a great mix of students that work hard. The classes are unbelievable, they make it feel like it's our gym, in my opinion you won’t find a better place to train!"
- Derek Ward

"After spending 3 years in Taekwondo I had reached a plateau. I wanted to try something that was more effective and that would make me more well-rounded. Since USMMA offers both muay thai and jiu-jitsu it's the best of both worlds. Although I have only been training at USMMA for a few weeks, I feel that I have learned more practical and effective self-defense techniques than during my experience with Taekwondo. I can only imagine where I'll be 3 years from now with USMMA. The work outs are intense and definitely push you. The facility is excellent and the instruction is top notch. I look forward to a long time of training and sweating with everyone. I would wholeheartedly recommend USMMA to anyone who is interested in the martial arts or just wants a great work out."
- David Seward

"I am an 'Al Bundy' from Polk high… I played football and I wrestled and then played rugby in college… Nowadays I am an out of shape young fella who wishes I was back in shape. I hate running, and working out on your own you lose motivation after a short while. While Playing football, Rugby, and Wrestling is fun while it lasts, but those sports do not really exist after college/ high school… However I started training at USMMA with a great team in motion, and great instructors. The Mixed Martial arts workouts are intense, but they will only take you as far as you are going to push yourself. Since signing up I have had so much fun I had to get my friend to join me. I have made new friends, have started ripping pounds off my body in the places I did not want them, and putting muscle back into the places that it belongs. The instruction of mechanics and technique are outstanding… and this is not like other places where you just show up to get beat up. There is a team atmosphere, where your teammates push you to work hard to get better, but you still go at the pace of your teammate. It is a great new part of my life…"
- Adam Stoddard

"For the past four years I have had the privilege of training in mixed martial arts under Tom Hafers. In that time I have benefited tremendously from Tom’s expertise in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Muay Thai boxing, and his overall knowledge of MMA as a sport.

"All of the above have contributed significantly to my physical conditioning, mental poise and ability to focus on key success areas in life that extend far beyond the training mat. This is a testament to Tom’s ability to teach in detail and with patience to students with varying levels of MMA experience, and his innate ability to articulate the finer details of MMA training, which every student needs to become a successful fighter.

"As a black-belt in Kenpo Karate, an employee for one of the world’s leading sports performance brands, and a candidate for a Master’s in Business Administration, I can honestly say Tom Hafers epitomizes what any student looks for in a MMA trainer. This includes the highest regard for fighter safety, a completely professional approach to training, and above all, an earnest desire to see students develop into promising fighters, whether it be as a hobby or for competition.

"I encourage anyone with the even the slightest interest in studying MMA to at least take an introductory class with Tom. I promise the results will speak for themselves."
- Sincerely, Christopher J. Marshall

"I just wanted to thank you and your team for all the great workouts that I have received over the last month. The professionalism is fantastic and the workouts are great. I also wanted to let you know that you and your staff have been very motivating, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable of Maui Thai boxing, Jiu Jitsu and strength and conditioning.

"I also have found that all the participants in your classes are very enthusiastic and courteous to one another. I have worked out a lot in my life; participated in wrestling and karate for a large portion of my life and I believe that the help I am receiving from your team is going to bring me to another level of overall fitness.

"I think that you have cultivated a very safe and energizing environment for all ages and fitness levels. I believe that if I continue with your training I will be in the best shape of my adult life; and being 50 years old that is saying something.

"Again, thanks and keep up the good work."
- Sincerely, Michael D.

"I started going to USMMA in November this past year. My brother had been training at USMMA for a while and asked me to go and check it out. The idea of going to USMMA sounded good but I really didn’t want to go there not knowing what to do, look like an idiot and get my ass kicked. I was also in a really bad car accident the year before and I continuously fought with chronic back pain and had very little mobility in my neck and back. I finally agreed to go and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

Since coming to USMMA in November I have lost over 40 pounds in body weight, completely transformed my physic and the severe back pain has completely disappeared. Before coming to USMMA I have worked out in the past but family, work and loss of interest made it difficult to motivate myself to workout. The guys at USMMA have helped me focus on a total life change and given me the motivation I needed to bring my workouts to the next level. The training I have received already from Tom, Jorge and Matt has been beyond anything I could have expected. They always take the time to break down the training and explain not only how to do something but also why you are doing it. I have learned how to focus on my mind and not just my body, which has made the biggest difference for me. Also, the people I’ve met working out at USMMA are unlike anyone I would have met at a typical gym.

Since day one people have always taken the time to teach me new techniques and push me to the next level all at my own pace. I have an extremely busy family and work schedule but still make time to get to USMMA three times a week. The training facility, workout discipline and especially the staff are top notch and second to nobody. Whether you are trying to become the next big name in mixed martial arts or a husband and father of two children like me just looking to make a life change and become a better person, United States Mixed Martial Arts is where you need to be…period. The training and experience has already been unlike anything I’ve ever done and I guarantee it will be the same for everyone who decides to just take the first step and walk through the door."
- Andy Ward

When I was in high school on a dare I ran the Boston Marathon. While running it at mile 11 I ran into a pedestrian walking across the road, I cracked my back on a curb and had back problems ever since. I graduated high school at 119lbs. At the end of my freshman year of college after hours in the gym and 12oz curls I started the summer at 179lbs. My doctor said that my weight on a 5’5’’ body was way too much… So I decided my sophomore year to run cross country for my college. After the season of running a minimum of 40 miles per week I was still 179lbs. So I decided to run my second Boston Marathon with my Uncle. After all the training for the Marathon a week after it was over I will STILL 179lbs.

With hundreds of dollars down the tube getting physical therapy on my back, I read in a Men's Health magazine that sports like Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling contrary to the belief strengthen your back, relieving back pain. So I decided to give USMMA a shot in June of 2008. After my first 15 minutes even after running two marathons I was outside the front door seeing my lunch for the second time. With a pat on the back trainer Matt Phinney told me to keep with it and everyday it would get easier. He was right, I haven’t seen my lunch again at class, and I am also as of 1/12/09, 27lbs lighter at 152lbs.

After joining USMMA I no longer have chronic back pain, I no longer have to run, and I no longer have to lift weights. After losing all the weight I am stronger, faster, and more flexible (with the help of USMMA’s Yoga), I also eat whatever I want and the pounds have seemed to come off!

I strongly recommend USMMA to anyone, especially the Jiu Jitsu if you have back pain like I did. There is no reason to be intimidated or afraid of coming in, the rule is roll at your partners pace and to be honest everyone does because everyone wants each other to get better.
- Paul B. Prohodski

My name is Diane and I have been taking private Muay Thai boxing lessons for the past ten weeks with Tommy at USMMA. I was encouraged, by my daughter Michelle, to take lessons to improve my health and physical condition, and also for self-defense. I wasn't even sure that I could participate, but after speaking with Tommy, I decided to give it a try. I knew after the first lesson that this training was something I could do and enjoyed very much.

Surprisingly, I have discovered that at age 62, and with the dedicated support and encouragement of the trainers at USMMA, anything is possible. I look forward to and enjoy my training every week. In the past ten (l0) weeks I have lost ten and one-half (l0 l/2) inches overall and learned exercises and boxing drills that I practice at home between lessons.

I take one private lesson per week and look forward to entering one of the group classes soon. Meanwhile, I count my USSMA experience as the "highlight" of my week and I am feeling stronger and happier because of that "first step" I took to try Muay Thai boxing lessons. It has lifted my spirits; helped me focus; made me stronger; improved my stamina; helped me lose weight and inches; changed my shape by building muscle and given me the confidence to try new activities, even at my age.

I would like to encourage anyone, of any age, to get involved in USSMA and take advantage of the many different activities they offer under the guidance of a very caring and professional staff.

Thank you, Tommy, for your patience in answering my many questions and for your enthusiasm with my progress.

Michelle, thank you for pushing me to try something new and helping me get signed-up for Muay Thai lessons. You are my inspiration! I am having the "time of my life" doing something very special for myself!

Tom, I wanted to take the time to document my successes here at USMMA. Success is different things to different people and it is measured in different ways. I measure success within my life as finding a balance and a type of utopian place within myself, achieved in a myriad of ways. Here is my story.

After a layoff from a few years of serious athletic training; After battling back and knee injuries as well as a few surgeries I really wanted to get back in shape and challenge myself mentally and physically. I was prepared for the task ahead and prayed my aching 38 year old body would hold together.

As in the rest of my life I try to really be in sync with my emotional, physical, spiritual and mental parts of any journey I embark on. Once any one of those things is out of whack, my whole system is out of whack. And I was really not on track. I moved from California to Massachussetts and was really not 100% on many levels. After spending a few years out of combat sports including boxing for many years and a couple of months studying traditional Gi jiu jitsu I decided to start back up and give USMMA a shot; in Bellingham of all places!

Well, in just 3+ months plus into my journey things have really turned around for me. I have lost 25 pounds. I am hoping to match that in 3 more months as well. I also had an itch to compete again and this past weekend entered the NAGA Northeast Regional tournament and took home first place in my division, not too bad for a 38 year old. It was awesome. What was more awesome was the fact that there were a group of other guys from as my Sicilian relatives would say "this thing of ours" there rooting me on. It was a great feeling.

I really enjoy the time I spend at the gym. It has become my second home and I am there as much as possible, if not working out, watching and learning. Not just from the great trainers like you, Rolando or Jimmy, but from everyone else who is part of this place. Regular guys like me that want to help each other out and pass on what we learn to each other and to the newbies. Its a great place, and if I had to leave Cali, I couldn't have asked for better circumstances to fall into.

USMMA Testimonials