The Proving Ground Story
Coach Ruben Vargas is a black belt who has been part of the Jiu-Jitsu and MMA community since 2005. Our school is affiliated with Ares BJJ under world-class black belts and world champions.
We offer a Family Oriented environment while maintaining a competition driven style of training.
We offer multiple classes in The GI and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. We also provide Kickboxing, Boxing, MMA, and Wrestling as well.
Coach Ruben's family including his wife (Veronica), and two children (Kingston and Irie) train and compete alongside the team.
Our Core Values
Everything we do is guided by four principles that define who we are — on and off the mat.
Discipline
Consistency over intensity. We show up, do the work, and trust the process — every single day.
Respect
We honor our training partners, our coaches, and our tradition. Ego is checked at the door.
Community
We grow together. Our gym is a family, and every member makes us stronger as a whole.
Excellence
We pursue mastery in everything we do — whether that's technique, character, or service to our community.
Meet the Team
Our coaches bring decades of combined experience in competition and instruction. They're not just teachers — they're mentors, role models, and part of your extended family.
Coach Ronnie
Head Instructor • BJJ Black Belt
With decades of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, Coach Ronnie is the heart of Proving Ground MMA. His technical mastery and ability to communicate complex concepts to students of all levels makes every class an extraordinary learning experience.
Coach Rubin
Senior Instructor • BJJ Black Belt
Coach Rubin brings a lifetime of martial arts dedication to every session. His passion for the art, combined with his gift for developing students' individual strengths, has produced champions at every level of competition while fostering an inclusive, positive training culture.
Coach Vargas
Program Director • Jiu-Jitsu Coach
Coach Vargas is an exceptional coach and mentor whose influence extends far beyond the mat. Known for his ability to connect with students on a personal level, he specializes in youth development, instilling life skills alongside martial arts technique in the next generation of grapplers.