Tomas Vacca Ready to Make a Statement at Main Character Jiu-Jitsu in Miami

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Palm Beach Jiu-Jitsu’s Tomas Vacca is preparing to compete at Main Character Jiu-Jitsu on October 19 in Miami — an event he promises will deliver both high-level grappling and entertainment.

Vacca said the upcoming card will be “stacked” with talent from across South Florida, featuring “walkout songs, celebrations, interviews,” and a crowd that can expect “broken bones, blood… all sorts of drama.”

The Palm Beach Gardens-based competitor will face Manny Arias, a familiar opponent who previously beat him in a local tournament final. “He won fair and square,” Vacca said, recalling how fatigue from earlier matches played a role in that outcome. “I was tired as hell and he was fresh… I just remember thinking, ‘This guy has all the energy in the world right now.’”

This time, he’s expecting a different result. “If he pulls guard, I’ll pass and finish from mount or the back,” Vacca said. “If he wrestles, maybe I’ll heel hook him. Either way, I’m going in there to make it exciting.”

Putting on a show is something Vacca takes seriously. “People are paying to be there,” he said. “They want to see something happen, and I want to make sure they leave feeling like it was worth it.”

Training out of Palm Beach Jiu-Jitsu, Vacca recently shared the mat with jiu-jitsu legend Gordon Ryan, who visited for a seminar. “He’s been my hero since day one,” Vacca said. “He even gave me his number and told me to reach out if I ever needed anything. He’s been really supportive.”

Vacca credited Kemoy Anderson, founder of Main Character Jiu-Jitsu, for helping push the sport forward. “Kemoy’s always finding ways to make it both competitive and entertaining,” Vacca said. “That’s the future of jiu-jitsu.”

Outside of training, Vacca said his priorities are his family and faith. “I’m a husband and a father of two,” he said. “My goal is to see how far I can go in this sport without sacrificing those things. I want my son to be proud — to see me compete and know he can set the bar even higher.”

As for what fans can expect on fight night, Vacca kept it simple: “You never know what’s going to happen. Something could break, something crazy could happen — it might even be you that goes viral,” he said with a grin.

The event will stream live on FloGrappling, but Vacca encouraged fans to see it in person. “Grab your tickets before prices go up,” he said. “Follow me on Instagram, @vaccajiujitsu, and come say hi at the event.”

Main Character Jiu-Jitsu takes place Oct. 19 in Miami, live on FloGrappling.