How one of Evolution MMA / Alliance BJJ Head instructors climbed the ranks to BKFC Tom “the gentleman” Shoaff

Where it all started for Tom “The Gentleman” Shoaff

One of the best all time fighters in the BKFC started training with Evolution MMA in chicago as a white belt in Jiu Jitsu and quickly jump right into joining the fight team. Which is no surprise as Tom’s whole family are fighters and hero’s having 2 brothers in the Army elite Rangers it’s in there blood. His instant love for the sport and dedication got him a coaching spot at Evolution MMA and soon had his own striking class in Boxing and muay thai while still training jiu jitsu and on the fight team.

Starting as a white Belt in jiu jitsu

He quickly learned and loved the sport of Jiu Jitsu and being “The Gentleman” he is and the love for kids also began helping coach the kids program as well. Spending all his free time at the gym helping, training and coaching as well as working a full time job his dedication to MMA was one in a million.

It s wasn’t long before he was promoted to blue belt and at that point professor Jason Sullins and Professor Issac Riggs gave him the kids Jiu Jitsu class and hired him to become a full time coach with his own classes in Jiu Jitsu, Boxing and Muay Thai.

Without hesitation Tom never stopped and just kept climbing the belts making his way to purple belt with Team Alliance all while not only coaching and training at the gym but he was also taking amateur MMA fights for local promoters and then went on to become a professional MMA fighter for local and national MMA promoters.

After becoming a professional fighter Tom was not only coaching at the top MMA gym in chicago Evolution MMA, he was also coaching at one of the top MMA gyms in Indiana Premier Mixed Martial Arts with Steve Colón! And of course he is some how finding time to train for up coming fights and taking those professional fights as well. He was non stop training to soon be one of the greatest fighters in BKFC and at the same still finding time to pass that knowledge and skill down that he has learned to the next student at Evolution MMA / Alliance Jiu Jitsu and living in Schaumburg, IL.

At this point Tom is know a Brown Belt in Jiu Jitsu!

So when does he earn that so well deserved black belt? Tom Finally earned that well deserved black belt and title of Professor of Jiu Jitsu on October 10th, 2022

So where did he get those skills in Boxing and Muay Thai and every opponent dreads?

How Tom Became one of the best stand up Strikers

Just Like Jiu Jitsu Tom Started relentlessly training hard in Boxing and Muay Thai. Starting out at Evolution MMA, he was training hard and consistently everyday, pushing himself to the limits and quickly picked up the skill of boxing and Muay Thai with ease, as if it was a natural talent! He was a quick learner and had no problem adapting to the rigorous training.

Of course his coaches at Evolution noticed this and soon Tom again was coaching his own classes in Boxing and Muay Thai. So at this point he was coaching 3 different martial arts classes ( Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai) as well as training on the Evolution MMA fight team and taking fights as soon and as many as he could all while working a bouncing job at various bars and clubs.

Starting out Tom had some of the best coaches to learn from in Boxing & Muay Thai including:

ANDY PIERCE- Boxing out of Oklahoma

LUKASZ BANACH- Muay Thai & Kickboxing out of Chicago

STEVE COLON- Boxing out of Indiana

As Tom was still coach all his classes he to was being coached and continually and quickly gaining the knowledge and skill to become the BKFC soon to be champion everyone loves. I mean just Check out this freaking video below & those freaking hooks:

And that right there is what constant hard work, dedication, gentleman, knowledge and one of the best support groups of friends, family, and coaches gets you. Oh and he wont stop climbing and going until he achieves whatever goal he is locked in on! (gonna have to ask him that one. Update soon) Knowing him it’s that BKFC belt.

His coaches as we know were some of the best in the nation between all of the Mixed martial arts and his striking coaches while he climbed that ladder are still some of the best coaches you kind find in the sport today! Everwhere tom has been coaching and being coached he has made that gym a better place and has gained a family along that way that will be there for him no matter what in a drop of a MMA glove. That brings us to our next topic of his journey - Tom’s support from family, friends and coaches.

Tom has the best support following from family, freinds & coaches

Normally we don’t really go into detail about our coaches / fighters faimly and friends support but when it above and beyond credit is due!

As we mentioned in the beginning of this article the Fight, loyalty and dedication genes are in Tom and his families blood! Who are the 2 elite Army rangers hero’s surrounding Tom above? Those ladies and gentleman are his brothers. Some of the best freaking brothers you will ever know and if you ever get a chance to meet them you will quickly realize its in there blood. What does it take to become an elite Army ranger and achieve the top of that ladder? Well here’s just the start at this link and of course we at Evoluiton MMA would like to thank you for your service and as you know you are our brothers as well. Always have and always will.

Oh it doesn’t stop there with his 2 brothers. Obviously Tom and his family is Evolution MMA’s family how could they not be with all that Blood, sweat and beers oh I means tears . Ok Tears of beers. Let us introduce you to one of the most loayal brothers that Tom has had along his journey this man has been at his side all his life and to our knowledge has almost been to everyone of his fights!

The man on the right is Kendall Rusin and again if you have ever had the honor in meeting this man you will instantly know all his brothers are gentleman, Loyal dedicated and there for him know matter what. That being said we he has been there for tom through anytype of support you can think of and pretty much travels wherever he has to go to support Tom. Hats off to you bro and it is as well a honor for Evolution MMA to have you as a brother as well! Thank you. Done we think not!

We wish we could mention all of Toms closest family and friends but there isnt enough internet bandwidth in Chicago to hold them. So if your not mentioned we know you understand because well we are Fam.

And of course we would Tom be without coaches.

Toms coaches are some of the best coaches in the nation and have been since the start of his journey. So we are no going to give thanks and credit to all of Toms coaches along his journey as it is due.

Tom has been honorably taught and is still taught by the following coaches:

Jason Sullins - Jason is the main strategist and specializes at finding and fixing weak spots in his student's games. He strongly believes that drilling your techniques is the biggest key to success (hint hint) and makes sure the gym is open at least an hour before jiu-jitsu classes to give his students a space to drill.
Issac Riggs - Issac is notorious throughout the Chicago jiu-jitsu community for his emphasis on fitness and training once you're tired. If you can't use your muscles in jiu-jitsu, then you're forced to use your technique. His Tuesday and Thursday advanced classes are a sure-fire way to get ready for competition and get in the best shape of your life.
Steve Colón- Coaching Accomplishments: Founder of Team Colón MMA 2005, Over 1,000 Coaching Victories: MMA, Wrestling, Sport Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai & Boxing, Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Coach to UFC, Bellator, BKFC & LFA Fighters, 50 MMA, Boxing & Bare Knuckle Champions, Fight Card Entertainment Chicagoland Team Champions ,Certified USA Wrestling & USA Boxing Coach, MMA Coach of the Year (Top of the Food Chain Fight Company), C3 Hall of Fame Inductee ,Wrestling Coach Wirt High School 2000 – 2008, Over 25 years Training & Coaching in MMA 1996 – Present
Andy Pierce - Boxing out of Oklahoma. Andy is noted as being one of the best boxing coaches not only in Oklahoma but in the nation.
Master Cavalcanti- The two time World Champion in both Gi and No Gi, is one of 109 people to ever receive a black belt from Grand Master Carlson Gracie Sr.
Master Cavalcanti is not just a Master of Jiu Jitsu but a Master Communicator and Teacher. His unique approach and organized system of teaching unveils the Science behind BJJ.
Born in Rio De Janeiro, Ricardo found Jiu Jitsu at an early age 7yrs old, coached by the historical figure of the sport Gran Master Alvaro Barreto. In 1979 he moved to the iconic Carlson Gracie Academy and climbed the ladder of success, earning his black belt from the Gracie Master in 1995.
In June 2001, Master Cavalcanti won the World Championship and was invited to help train former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Frank Mir to sharpen his Jiu Jitsu skills in Las Vegas. This was the first step into Cavalcanti's BJJ Academy in America.
After many years in the US, the 5th degree black belt has awarded black belts himself and continues to train talent of all levels

As you can see his coaches are some of the best in the nation!

Like we stated earlier with Toms huge family it’s dam near impossible to name everyone but with such a Amzaing backing we have to acknowledge some! Speaking of credit it is now time for everyone to help support Tom in his journey so it’s time to let you know how.

Suppport Tom

Since you now know what a gentleman Tom is and what a blast it is to watch him fight you can go to the following channels, links and so on to purchase items, follow or like, watch podcasts or if you want to be coached by one of the best coaches you will ever encounter go to his gym and train.