ABOUT US
DCO MMA & Fitness is a premier mixed martial arts studio in Denver, CO that is family owned and operated by (former and current) professional athletes Steven and Kathryn Paprocki. DCO MMA started in Westminster, CO back in 2016 where DCO dove right in to the community, providing fitness and knowledge of combat sports. In October of 2022, we moved to a location in Denver, CO where we learned this area is second to none. We are making our final move to our forever home, a complete combat sports facility in the Park Hill area! We continue to provide a family environment of learning and growth, dedicated around combat sports!
MEET OUR FOUNDERS
Steven Paprocki
Steven Paprocki is the Head Coach at DCO MMA & Fitness, co-owner of Colorado Jiu Jitsu Club, and retired professional MMA and kickboxing fighter. Steven is a Glory Kickboxing veteran, having held the Professional Heavyweight title at Legion Combat Sports as well as Sparta Combat League during his active reign. Steven is a recognized Kru in Muay Thai and continues to keep his competitive drive as a forever student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, receiving his Black Belt April of 2024. Steven believes in not only developing the athlete's skills and basics but developing character within the athlete to sustain a successful and winning mindset off the mat.
Kathryn Paprocki
Kathryn Paprocki is the proud owner of DCO MMA Fitness, co-owner of Colorado Jiu Jitsu Club, and an elite Professional Fighter. She is the #5 ranked BKFC STRAWWEIGHT in the world. She received her Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt October of 2025 and continues to develop her skills on the ground. She is a Dana White Contender Series Vet and was on The Ultimate Fighter Season 30 Team Nunes in 2022. Her history in combat sports reigns over a decade. Kathryn is our Youth Services Head Coach and teaches all of the Youth Boxing classes. Kathryn is a person who stutters and is vocal and active in bringing awareness to the stuttering community.
The Paprocki Family
Steven and Kathryn built a lifestyle that aligned with their passion and love for fitness and combat sports. They have created a family friendly environment at DCO MMA & Fitness that understands the need for support from your family, whether you are hitting fitness goals or making fighting a career. When Steven first started his fighting career in 2012, Kathryn was a loving supportive fan with no idea what Steven had gotten himself into. Through Steven's career, Kathryn had the honor of cornering and being more of a part of his fight camps. As they transitioned and swapped roles, Steven now enjoys coaching Kathryn in every round of every fight. Kathryn swears "You cannot imagine the feeling of your spouse being the first person that greets you in the cage when they unlock the doors. No matter the outcome of the fight, it is very special". Steven and Kathryn have shared a wonderful marriage for 11 years, raise two daughters together, enjoy their two dogs Goose and Poppy, and live life together just “hanging out”. You can see their youngest daughter, Layla, tearing it up on the high school wrestling scene. Layla was a regional champion and state qualifier her Freshman year of High School, making 1st team All Conference her rookie year. She is a dominant force in the 125lb teen weight division in the Colorado jiu jitsu scene. She loves a good double leg takedown and taking back in jiu jitsu. Layla coaches youth wrestling and jiu jitsu at DCO and will see you on the mats! You can see their oldest daughter, Olivyah, helping out at the front desk and taking jiu jitsu classes from time to time, keeping her self defense skills sharp! She is taking her path off to college soon but will still be apart of the gym in spirit!