Deon Thompson says Premier Mixed Martial Arts Academy, located at 5333 Monroe Street, Toledo, is home to some of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu not only in Toledo, but in the world.

Don't believe?

Well, for starters the world reknown BRASA/Comprido BJJ team is housed there and world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Demian Maia (UFC top contender) trains there twice a year. Also, seven-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Rodrigo Comprido comes there five times a year.

Who is Comprido? Thompson says he is UFC top heavyweight Brock Lesnar’s personal Jiu Jitsu coach and will be a featured BJJ coach for Team Lesnar on the Ultimate Fighter reality series.

Thompson, a certified BJJ instructor under Comprido, has been competing and training BJJ for 10 years and claims to be one of the top instructors in our region. The Premier MMA Academy has had several champions, “but recently they have acquired some very special teenagers from Oregon,” Thompson said.

Thompson says Pedro Zappata a sophomore at Clay, has been winning on the tournament circuit. He has only been competing for seven months and has won gold in two tournaments.

“The most impressive thing about this feat is that he has won all his matches by submission (tap out),” Thompson said.

Thompson added that Grant Curavo, a seventh grader from Fassett, “has been doing extremely well for a long time and he continues to compete and beat guys that outweigh him by as much as 60 pounds.”

The newest members are Corey Duran and Vince Baker, both juniors at Clay.

“They have only been training for a few months and both have made it to the semifinals of the Michigan open BJJ tournament,” Thompson said.

Thompson feels "these kids are not just great individuals but will be MMA champions someday. They never miss practice and they are all very technical and fearless competitors.

Thompson recommends that “parents make sure that their kids are training at a reputable place, ask questions, find out who the instructor is certified under” and perform a background check or ‘google’ them.

“There are a lot of gyms claiming to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because it's the ‘in thing,’” Thompson said. “Any legit instructor will gladly tell you who they train under and the affiliation they are associated with.”

Thompson can be reached at 419-410-5483 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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