MMA Institute was established by Rick McCoy in Richmond VA in April 2007. Since then, we have 4 training facilities located throughout the VA Area (Richmond, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Winchester). Rick has over 30 years of experience in martial arts. He has long been recognized as the top trainer in Virginia. As the first fighter in VA, he is highly sought out by professional fighters throughout the country. With over 15 years training fighters MMA Institute has quickly become, by far, the most successful fight team in the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 100 members on our fight team, from amateurs to top tier competitors, we have been and will continue to prove that we are the best in Virginia.

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Our Harrisonburg location was founded by Beau Baker, Kyle Baker & Jeremy Whitmore. Through their combined love for the sport, competition, as well as their unparallelled work ethic, MMA Institute Harrisonburg has been producing champions since opening its doors in 2008!

Having long been well known for his abilities on the wrestling mat, while wrestling for Group AA Turner Ashby High School, Beau won multiple distirct and regional titles before becoming the school's first state champion in 1996.... an honor he would repeat the following year by winning a second state championship. After high school Beau wrestled at the collegiate level for Division I University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

In 2006, upon completing a stellar career in wrestling, Beau began his MMA training. Initially, self-taught by his diligent video analysis and sparring in backyards and basements, he boasted an undefeated amateur record (6-0) competing at events in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. Beau eventually elevated his training by traveling across the state and studying under various established martial artists, mastering skills in jiu-jitsu, boxing, and Muay Thai.

Now fighting as a professional, Beau has continued to display excellence in the sport. Finishing his first 10 opponents by submission or KO, 9 of those falling in the very first round, Beau dismantles his opposition with a methodical yet devastating combination of technique and pressure. Known for his lethal grappling ability, fast hands, and iron chin, expect Beau Baker to soon break into top MMA organizations. Beau has also made the move down to the 155lb division were he will be a handful for any top level competitor. He currently has a multiple fight contract with M-1 Global which is aired on Showtime and currently has an impressive professional record of 10-5-0.

After a dominating performance in his first amateur fight which he took on less than 2 hours notice, Kyle steam-rolled his way through the amateur ranks. After winning the 2007 Stateline MMA Welterweight Tournament in devastating fashion (first round ref stoppage in the finals), Kyle moved into the professional circuit, having had the honor of competing in and winning the first ever MMA event in Washington, DC. Always a fan favorite, Kyle fights with almost reckless abandonment while displaying remarkable athleticism, strength, and agility. His fighting style is ferocious and brutal, favoring the clinch techniques of "dirty boxing" and utilizing relentless knee strikes. Kyle is always as good a showman as he is a fighter. Kyle's dedication in nurturing the talent of our fighters has a direct impact on our success as a team!

Prior to beginning his career in MMA, Kyle developed his competitive spirit, as his brother Beau Baker did, in scholastic, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. He has approximately 18 years of wrestling experience. While wrestling for Group AA Turner Ashby High School, Kyle was 2x Regional Champion (1997 & 1998), 3x District Champion (1996, 1997, & 1998), all in addition to capturing the Virginia State Title (1998).

Kyle Baker’s notable wins include victories over Drew Fickett (UFC Veteran), Chad Reiner (UFC Veteran), Binky Jones (Bellator Fighting Championships Veteran), LaVon Maynard (Bellator Fighting Championships Veteran), and James Warfield (Shine Fights 2010 Pay-Per-View Lightweight Gran Prix). Since winning the NAAFS Welterweight Title, several MMA publications have predicted that he will soon be debuting in a major nationally televised promotion.

Check out these articles About Kyle:

Bloody Elbow - No One Fights Like Kyle Baker

MMA Junkie - After Knocking out UFC Target, Kyle Baker Still Waiting for His Phone to Ring

Press Release - Kyle "The Alley Cat" Baker Wins NAAFS Welterweight Title

Jeremy “All Day” Whitmore

Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Amateur Record: 4-0-0, Former Operation Octagon Featherweight Champion

Jeremy Whitmore is a native of the Harrisonburg area. He was born and raised in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Since the early age of 6 when he began wrestling, Jeremy has been involved in sports and fitness. Throughout his adolescent years, Jeremy excelled in wrestling at Turner Ashby High School, winning multiple titles at the state, regional and district level and competed on the Virginia/USA National Wrestling Team. Jeremy began to compete in Mixed Martial Arts during his time at the University of Kentucky. After finishing his undergraduate at Kentucky, Jeremy continued on to achieve his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University. After ending a successful undefeated  MMA career, Jeremy was introduced to CrossFit. It has helped to fill the competitive void after he finished his MMA career. Jeremy plans to continue to train and compete in the CrossFit Games. Jeremy is a certified CrossFit Level One trainer, CrossFit Kettlebell trainer, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and a doctor of physical therapy. He works as a therapist at Advantage Physical Therapy in Harrisonburg, Virginia.