The phenomenon that is Mixed Martial Arts, better known as MMA, has hit campus and appears to be here to stay. The MMA club, started last spring, has experienced growth as the popularity of the sport continues to increase.
“I started it last spring,” Jorge Arango, a freshman in engineering and club founder/president said. “I got it going and did all the paperwork and we got together and started rolling last spring.”
The club currently focuses on the ground game, but will encompass all the aspects of the sport through the semester. The current focus on the ground game will soon be augmented by the introduction of striking, which will bring new martial arts disciplines to the club.
“Right now we are working mostly with jiu jitsu and American wrestling,” Steven Scovell, a sophomore in economics and the club’s vice president said. “When we get heavier into striking we will do more muay thai and boxing.”
Once all aspects have been introduced, the club will attempt to work them all together to develop the skills of the members in a well rounded manner.
“It’s a mix of Brazilian jiu jitsu, muay thai, wresting and boxing,” Austin Snyder, a sophomore in management and the club treasurer said. “We try to do grappling Monday, a mix on Wednesday and striking on Thursday. It’s all the stuff you see on TV: the ground game, the wrestling, the striking, and also added self defense.”
Safety is a high concern for the members of the club, making it the number one priority while they are developing their skills. Mouth guards are required for all participants and cups are “highly suggested” according to Arango. During their meetings each member is looking out for safety.
“Everybody here is an instructor,” Scovell said. “Everybody is pretty much a safety officer for the most part.”
No experience is necessary to participate in the action. The founder only had wrestling and basic traditional jiu jitsu knowledge when he formed the organization.
“I didn’t have any formal experience,” Arango said. “I wrestled all through high school and traditional jiu jitsu.”
The club is just the beginning for some of the members. It opens the door to the MMA experience and offers the opportunity to feel it out. The opportunities are endless when it comes to pursuing the sport.
“I didn’t have any prior experience,” Snyder said. “I came here and learned and then last spring I started training at CrossFit N.C., which offers Brazilian jiu jitsu and muay thai. I am still currently training there, so I train there and then come here.”
According to Scovell, anybody who is serious about learning is welcome to come out and give the club a try. The club meets on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 p.m. until close on court 10 in Carmichael Gymnasium.
“We meet Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 p.m. until they kick us out so just come on out,” Scovell said. “The only people we don’t want coming out are somebody who thinks it’s a joke or someone who comes out here to hurt someone. This is not a fight club, that is not what we do, this is a regulated sport and that is what we are here for.”