Coach Stefan Tabaco
Stefan Tabaco
Raised in Stockton, CA, Stefan was first introduced to martial arts at 14. He was taught the Filipino martial art, Escrima, by his father and continued his studies in this art with the same team his father trained under, “Bahala na Multi-style”. Having practiced mostly hands weapon techniques, Stefan was later introduced to mixed martial arts and training without a weapon. In 2011, Stefan started training in Muay Thai at the renowned Valor Training Center. His motivation and dedication to the training led Stefan to be offered a position as a kid’s Muay Thai coach in the summer of 2012. This opportunity ignited a passion for teaching that Stefan continues to provide.
In mid-2013, Stefan started training at Ronin Jiu-Jitsu, in Stockton, under Ernest Mello, one of Professor Crosley Gracie’s Black Belts. In 2015, Stefan had to relocate to San Jose due to work. He started training at American Kickboxing Academy but had to return to Stockton shortly after receiving an invitation to the amateur MMA team at American Kickboxing Academy. Stefan was awarded a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu in July of 2016 and is currently one of the two Muay Thai Instructors at Crosley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Brentwood, Ca.
Stefan is known by his students for possessing a very technical approach to his teachings, being very detail-oriented, and anyone who attends his classes is sure to learn a lot and get a great workout!