Why Train At

Duncan MMA

When I started Duncan MMA, I built it with my children in mind. I wanted to create a space where they could learn the highest quality jiu-jitsu and kickboxing in a safe environment that also taught the value of hard work and overcoming challenges.

That desire to give them the best led me to create Duncan MMA—a place where excellence is the standard, and integrity is the foundation. Whether through jiu-jitsu, wrestling, or kickboxing, my promise is that this gym is built with the utmost care and dedication to be the best training facility in East Tennessee.

Not just for my kids, but for you and your children as well. Every athlete who walks through our doors gets the same attention and commitment that I give my own family.

Come see for yourself. Join our team, and you’ll feel the difference.

Be part of our family.

Every athlete who walks through our doors gets the same attention and commitment that I give my own family.

Brian Duncan – Founder

Home of

Duncan MMA is home to Kingsport Jiu-Jitsu, Kingsport Karate, and the Kingsport Wrestling Club. Premier MMA, BJJ, and wrestling training in Kingsport, TN.

Staff

Our Instructors

Brian Duncan

Head Coach, Founder

Dr. Brian Duncan has been training in martial arts for 3 decades. He currently holds a 5th degree black belt in SGC Karate & Kickboxing and a purple belt in BJJ. Coach Brian also has a 2nd degree black belt in Koei-Kan Karate and a black belt in Wing Chun.

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Tom Clerici

Coach, Co-owner

Tom Clerici is a BJJ black belt having trained under Professor Steven Bongiorno, Professor Jay Regalbuto, and Professor Chris Massie. He has prepared world-class competitors for ADCC World Championships and Trials, IBJJF World and Pan Championships, EBI Invitationals and many local and national tournaments.

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Kayla Zickler

Head Wrestling Coach

Kayla Zickler joins the Duncan MMA staff with over 6 years of coaching experience and over 20 years of wrestling experience. She is a 2012 Pan American Junior Championship in the women’s freestyle 51kg class.

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Kailey Duncan

Coach, Women's Instructor

Kailey Duncan is a co-owner of Duncan MMA, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt, and the Head Women’s Jiu Jitsu Coach. She also serves as an assistant instructor in our Kids BJJ program, helping develop strong fundamentals, discipline, and confidence in young athletes.

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Sophia Duncan

Coach

Sophia Duncan is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt and holds a Purple Belt in SGC Karate & Kickboxing. At just 16 years old, she is already an active competitor and dedicated member of the Duncan MMA team.

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Reese Ledford

Coach

Coach Reese brings a strong wrestling background and a passion for athlete development to Duncan MMA. With over a decade of wrestling experience, he focuses on teaching the technical foundations of wrestling while helping students build the discipline, work ethic, and mental toughness needed to succeed both on and off the mat.

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Octavian Mathis

Coach

Coach Octavian Mathis is one of the wrestling coaches at Duncan MMA, working with both our elementary and middle/high school wrestling programs. With a strong competitive background and a passion for developing young athletes, he focuses on helping students build solid fundamentals, mental toughness, and confidence on the mat.

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Michael Dominguez

Coach

Coach Michael Dominguez is a military veteran with over a decade of martial arts experience and a lifelong commitment to disciplined training. His background reflects both technical depth and real-world toughness, shaped by years of service and high-level competition. He brings structure, intensity, and accountability to every class he leads.

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Our Results in Numbers

A 1985 study found that children in martial arts have an increased sense of responsibili-
ty, and a higher sense of self-esteem.

Years of Experience

+ Competitive Wins

+ Active Members

People Talk About Us

My daughter has been going for a couple weeks and it’s been great. She loves it! I went to my first adult class tonight at it was fantastic! Instructors are great. Very thorough with explaining the moves and the process, very beginner friendly. Definitely will be continuing! 15/10 will recommend!

Celena H.

Coaches are knowledgeable, fun, and hardworking with an emphasis on doing things right, staying safe while laying the smack down. This dojo is a place the whole family can grow in character and skill. Each instructor brings a unique expertise to the table, along with a sense of humor and humility.

MK Williams

This gym and people are so wonderfully amazing! I was a complete beginner when I came to Duncan and I have learned so much in this short time. The coaches have been so great to break it all down and make me feel comfortable when this was totally outside my comfy zone! I really love this gym it is truly a family. Another benefit is there are so many women in the class; so I feel comfortable rolling multiple partners and get a variety of experience. I highly highly recommend you come check them out!

KT M.

So glad we found Duncan MMA. If you’re looking try this place everyone is amazing we love them all. Prices are good too. My son’s confidence has grown since being at Duncan. The coaches are amazing. You learn respect, they get their energy out, and they learn how to defend themselves. So, if you’re looking for a great karate place for your kids, this is it. Coach Brian has kids of his own that are in the class. They also help students and are super sweet probably the most well-rounded kids I’ve ever met.

Tinea R.

I was on vacation in Tennessee for about a week, and stopped in for a workout. I didn’t know what to expect, small town Tennessee. Wow was I impressed. Incredible knowledge, great experience, and a great workout. I highly recommend those guys.

Caldarise

Incredible knowledge and training. Can’t say enough about this place! Come see for yourself!

Matt B.

Duncan MMA has been such a great and inviting experience for my family and I. Being new to jiu jitsu, and wanting something for my family and I to do together, we came here as an invite from our friends at church and it has been such a great atmosphere. The instructors are great! They are patient, friendly, and good at teaching techniques no matter the experience level. Would highly recommend to any and all who are interested in self defense! Thanks Duncan MMA!

Joe B.

Brian knows how to teach and still keep learning. He is a great guy and his experience with so many martial arts really adds to his instruction and classes.

Daniel F.

The instructor Brian is awesome and he really knows his stuff!

Jacob E.

Our Training

Affilliations

The head black belt of our BJJ program is Steven Bongiorno, founder of South Jersey BJJ, a 3rd degree BJJ black under Ricardo Almeida, and member of the New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Steve (and other members of South Jersey BJJ) brings decades of knowledge and experience to our BJJ program and makes regular visits to the gym to share this knowledge with us and promote our students in rank.

Being part of South Jersey BJJ is like being part of a family. Visit their website to learn more about South Jersey BJJ.

At Duncan MMA, we’re proud to be a veteran-owned gym with a strong and growing community of veteran students and families. We’ve witnessed firsthand how jiu-jitsu can be a powerful tool for personal growth, healing, and transformation—especially for those who’ve served.

While many may chase black belts or championship titles, our mission has always been simpler and deeper: to help every person who walks through our doors become stronger, healthier, and more resilient—on and off the mats.

That’s why partnering with the We Defy Foundation was an easy choice. Their mission to make jiu-jitsu more accessible to veterans perfectly aligns with what we believe in. We’re honored to stand with them in this work, and we’re excited to help more veterans experience the life-changing benefits of this art.