Since 2008
Full contact yoga
How Rex got here
Twenty-five years of learning it, teaching it, proving it, and finally taking it to people's front doors. In order.
Head coach & owner
Coach Rex Pena
“Full contact yoga.”
I've been in combat sports for twenty-five years, as a competitor in striking and grappling, then as a coach. I hold a first-generation Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, a Kenpo black belt and a Tang Soo Do black belt. I turned pro in MMA at 42, because why not.
I've trained over half a dozen fighters who made it to The Ultimate Fighter and the UFC. I've also trained a lot of people who just wanted to get in shape and not get pushed around. Same room, same coach.
- BJJ black belt
- Kenpo black belt
- Tang Soo Do black belt
- Pro MMA fighter
The story, in order
Twenty-five years, one direction
Each chapter is tagged with what it gave you: the knowledge to teach it right, the availability to reach you, and the trust that it's the real thing.
Two chapters got written up properly. Read the Rock N Roll Fight Company story for how one room became three, and training El Cucuy for the years a future UFC champion was on these mats.
-
~2000
Learning it the hard way
Rex starts competing in both striking and grappling, and keeps going for twenty-five years. Along the way he earns three black belts: first-generation Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Kenpo and Tang Soo Do.
-
2007
Hired to teach at Ventura's first MMA gym
Hostility MMA brings Rex in to teach no-gi jiu-jitsu and MMA. It's the county's first dedicated MMA gym, and the room where the Ventura fight scene starts to grow up.
-
2008
Rock N Roll Fight Company opens
Rex opens his own gym and names it after both halves of his life: the music and the fight. Early rooms on the east side of Ventura include a space with a 26-foot professional cage, one of the only true MMA facilities in the county.
The Rock N Roll Fight Company story -
2011
El Cucuy wins The Ultimate Fighter
Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson, who trained under Rex, wins season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter and goes on to become UFC interim lightweight champion. Jeremy Jackson, Lodune Sincaid, Chris Beal, Jesse Newell and Joe Henle also reach TUF and the UFC.
Fighters trained here
-
2013
Fight night
Two of Rex's fighters make their MMA debuts on the same local card. He's in the corner, the way he's been for fighters across the county: from first class to first fight, the same coach walks them in.
-
2017
Three chords and the truth
The Pretty Uglys, the band Rex writes for and fronts, release their debut. It's the "rock n roll" in the name, and it was never a side project.
Hear the band -
Late 2010s
817 E Thompson Blvd
The gym settles in downtown Ventura: a hexagon cage, twelve heavy bags, kids' classes, women-only MMA and a fighters' room. It advertises itself as "Ventura County's one stop shop for everything MMA."
-
At 42
Turns pro
Most fighters retire before 42. Rex takes his first professional MMA fight at that age. He doesn't ask students to do anything he hasn't done himself.
-
Today
The coach comes to you
Between buildings, Rex took the gym on the road. Every session is private and one on one, anywhere in Ventura County: your garage, a park, the beach. A new gym is being built. Until it opens, the gym is wherever you are.
Book a session
The other half of the name
The Pretty Uglys
Rex writes, produces and fronts a glam-blues punk band out of Ventura. “A howling charismatic bluesy heartfelt front man, loud gritty guitars, bombastic drums and bass. Three chords and the truth.” Debut out 2017.
Start here
Talk to Rex
first.
Every plan is built around the person, so the first step is a conversation, not a checkout page. Tell Rex what you're after and he'll tell you exactly what he'd do with you and when.
- Reply the same day, usually within the hour
- No contract, no sign-up form, no sales pitch
- Gloves, pads and mats provided for your first session
- Beginners welcome. So are fighters.
- Rates are discussed one on one with Rex in your Instagram DMs
Or just call or text805-759-1133
Send one line. Rex takes it from there.
- “I want to learn to defend myself”
- “I want to get in fighting shape”
- “I want to compete”
- “I have a point Muay Thai or boxing match and need a corner”
- “My kid needs somewhere to put that energy”
- “Women-only sessions, please”
Prefer email? Rexyrnr@gmail.com