Meet Steve Baca of NoHo MMA in North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Baca.

Steve, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began training the martial arts after becoming a victim of a violent assault. I stayed in the arts because I fell in love with them.

My journey started with the traditional art of American Kenpo Karate in Pasadena Ca. under GM Larry Tatum in 1993. I also trained kickboxing in Pasadena.

I began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2000 under the famous Machados Brothers.

In 2000, I was working as a musician and had a recording contract on Xtasy/Warner Bros. Records with my band Red Delicious, we travelled recorded and attempted what all artists strive for stardom. But it was in the cards for me. After spending years trying to make it. I decided to call it a day and quit music. I spent almost 20n years trying.

In 2003, I decided I loved teaching the martial arts. So I packed up moved to the San Fernando Valley and opened my first Kenpo karate school Kenpo Karate Evolution in Sherman Oaks.

In 2007 I decided I wanted to pursue more combative and sport martial arts. We stopped teaching Karate and focused on BJJ, Kickboxing, Submission Grappling and Filipino Kali for self-defense.

In 2017, we moved to North Hollywood where we became NoHo MMA

I have been teaching the martial arts for over 20 years and love sharing my passion with others

Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely been tough but rewarding, we moved to NoHo because we couldn’t renew our lease and find a suitable space in Sherman Oaks, but it has been a blessing NoHo seems to love us and our growth has been much better here!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the NoHo MMA story. Tell us more about the business.
NoHo MMA has an amazing gym culture where we make everyone feel welcome from beginners to the most advanced. We are definitely a family vibe!

We specialize in BJJ, Kickboxing and Filipino Kali.

I think what sets us apart is our passion for the arts. Plus, our drive to help our students succeed on the mats and in life!

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Our version of the martial arts is fitness based. You must apply what you learn. We don’t do fancy forms and katas. We train to fight! If you aren’t physically fit when you come in, you will be very soon.

I believe that adding our training into your life will help you physically, mentally and spiritually.

With the explosion of the UFC everybody trains. Good Folks and Bad People! I believe we need to train and our kids need to train to be able to deal with those who don’t have our morals and ethics!

Contact Info:

• Address: 10723 Burbank Blvd
  NoHo Ca 91601
• Website: www.nohomma.com
• Phone: 8186445380
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevebacabjj/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveRobertBaca
• Yelp: nohomma