Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego De Vera.
Hi Diego , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
“Diego de Vera came to the United States in 2001 after losing everything in Argentina, arriving in Miami with nothing but determination and a vision. Through relentless discipline and hard work, he built KO Zone into one of the most respected MMA gyms in the world — a place known for forging real fighters and instilling true character.
He is a world champion in kickboxing, Taekwondo, and a South American Muay Thai champion. For over 15 years, he has served as a combative police instructor, training law enforcement, SWAT teams, military personnel, and civilians in realistic, life-saving combat tactics. As co-instructor at Real World Tactical with Tony Sentmanat, he travels across the country teaching advanced combatives and tactical shooting, preparing people for the harshest realities.
Diego trains world-renowned fighters across boxing, bareknuckle, and MMA, including names like Yoel Casamayor, Hector Lombard, and Thiago Silva. KO Zone itself is the gym of choice for top fighters when they’re in Miami — champions and icons such as Georges St-Pierre, Sean O’Malley, Thiago Alves, Vitor Belfort, Jorge Linares, and many more have all chosen KO Zone as their training ground.
Above all, Diego stands for loyalty, respect, and relentless hard work. He pushes people beyond their limits because he knows that’s where true growth happens. He is a fighter, a leader, a father of four, and a husband — someone who lives by the highest standards in every part of his life and demands the same from those around him.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
When I came to the USA in 2002, both of my parents were very sick and unable to work. I am an only son, and we had no family left to rely on. Leaving them behind was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but it was the only way I could financially support them, especially after we had lost everything. I arrived in a new country without speaking English and started working selling restaurant and hotel uniforms. Trying to survive, communicate, and build something from zero under those conditions was far from easy.
Later, when I was finally able to open the first KO Zone, we put absolutely everything we had into the business. I clearly remember having my house in foreclosure, my cars repossessed, and eating only eggs and rice with my kids on the weekends because every dollar we had went back into the gym. Supporting a new business is extremely hard, especially before you have members and steady income. There were no guarantees, just faith, work, and persistence.
One of the hardest chapters came with my health. I developed severe rheumatoid osteoarthritis in my hips. For almost two years, I lived with deep, sharp pain 24/7. There were days I couldn’t get down from my truck or even tie my shoes. Yet I kept teaching martial arts classes every day, barely able to move because of the pain. In 2015, I finally underwent a bilateral hip replacement. That period tested me physically, mentally, and emotionally more than anything else.
Looking back, none of it was easy. But every struggle shaped who I am today. It taught me resilience, sacrifice, and the value of never quitting, even when the odds, the pain, and the circumstances are all against you.
We’ve been impressed with KO ZONE, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
KO Zone is built on one simple idea: being a complete training home for anyone who wants to become stronger, physically and mentally.
Founded in 2005 and located in the heart of Miami, KO Zone is widely recognized as one of the most complete martial arts and training facilities in South Florida. What sets us apart is the diversity of people we serve and the level at which we operate. On any given day, you will see Law Enforcement officers, SWAT teams, military personnel, professional fighters from around the world, and everyday people training side by side. Some come to prepare for combat at the highest level, others to get in shape, build confidence, or learn self-defense. Everyone is treated with the same respect and seriousness.
We specialize in Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Boxing, taught by world-class coaches with real fight and operational experience. Beyond martial arts, we offer a full fitness facility with weights, conditioning programs, and boot camp classes, allowing our members to handle all their training needs under one roof. That combination is rare, and it is a big reason why people stay with us for years.
What we are most known for is our culture. KO Zone is not a trend-driven gym. It is built on discipline, consistency, and real work. There is no ego, no shortcuts, and no fake hype. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you are expected to show up, learn, and improve. That mindset has produced fighters, shaped kids into confident adults, helped veterans and first responders stay sharp, and given regular people structure and purpose in their lives.
Brand-wise, what I am most proud of is that KO Zone has remained authentic. We have grown, expanded, and earned international respect without compromising who we are. Our name stands for resilience, honesty, and long-term commitment. When someone walks into KO Zone, they are not just joining a gym. They are joining a community that believes in becoming better every single day.
What I want readers to know is that KO Zone is for anyone willing to put in the work. No matter your age, background, or fitness level, we meet you where you are and help you become the best version of yourself. That has always been our mission, and it continues to guide everything we do.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that surprises many people is that long before martial arts and fitness became my life, music was my first discipline.
Most people know me for my fighting career, coaching, and building KO Zone, but I started playing classical music when I was five years old. Music taught me structure, timing, patience, and emotional control, lessons that later translated directly into martial arts. Throughout my life, I also played in different bands, which allowed me to travel, experience new cultures, and see the world from a very different perspective. That creative side is still very much part of who I am.
Another lesser-known fact is that I formally studied Business Administration. While fighting and coaching are what people see on the surface, a large part of my work has always been strategic and operational. Understanding systems, organization, and long-term planning played a major role in building and sustaining a business like KO Zone.
I also wrote my first book focused on applying martial arts principles to everyday life, not just in the gym, but mentally. The book explores how concepts like discipline, awareness, adaptability, and resilience can be used in daily tasks, work, relationships, and decision-making.
At the core, everything I do, whether music, business, writing, or martial arts, is connected by the same philosophy: mastery through discipline, consistency, and presence. Most people see the fighter. Fewer see the musician, the student, and the strategist behind it all.
Pricing:
- ACCESS TO THE FACILITY / GYM EQUIPMENT AND FIGHTING AREAS WITH NO CLASSES$110 MONTHLY
- ONE MARTIAL $185. ( GYM INCLUDED)
- FULL ACCESS $225 ( EVERYTHING !!!)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kozoneusa.com
- Instagram: @kozoneusa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kozoneusa
