Mixed Martial Arts Club fights for Spring

A young man finds his rhythm as he practices his kicks against a pad that his friend sturdily holds for him.

Five yards away, two people wrestle and tumble around on a floor of mats. It’s not an environment everyone is partial to, but for the Mixed Martial Arts Club, nothing feels more at home.

“We love to have people come out and see what we do,” said Justin Doll graduate student at GC and MMA Club leader. “Most people here aren’t that familiar with martial arts. They’re just looking to learn or get a little exercise. Anyone can come participate.”

Scott Carranza

Doll has been practicing martial arts since he was 8 years old. During his sophomore year, he became a member of Georgia College’s MMA Club. When the original founders of the club graduated, Doll picked up the torch and has been running with it ever since.

“Back when it was founded, the club was run more like a boot camp,” Doll said. “It was very strict and intimidating. But over time, it’s become less and less structured to get where it is today.”

Every Monday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Centennial Center, members are free to train with whatever they want at any time, provided the equipment is available. Duffle bags full of sparring gear surround the floor mats. A punching bag wrapped in a thick layer of duct tape stands off to the side, waiting to be hit.

“It’s such a fun way to get a work out without even noticing it,” freshman biology major Kelsey Richardson said. “It feels good to let out my energy or any stress I have from school.”

In addition to practicing and teaching martial arts to club members, the club participates in a handful of events to strengthen their skills and teach others the importance of self defense. Last year, the club held training seminars with sororities Phi Mu and Alpha Delta Pi to teach them some basics of self defense.

“We taught them a handful of moves from Krav Maga, which is an Israeli martial art based solely on ending combat as soon as possible,” senior criminal justice major and club leader Jeramie Beck said. “When a girl is being bothered by someone in a bar downtown, what she needs to know is how to defend herself properly and get away quickly. We made sure the sororities understood what to do in those situations.”

ck isn’t afraid to explain the legal consequences of getting too carried away with a fight.

“When someone’s throwing punches at you, it’s easy to let your adrenaline take control of your body,” Beck said. “Before you know it, you’re really beating up on the other guy, and that could possibly result in a lawsuit.”

Instead, Beck encourages club members to learn how to end a fight as soon as possible using quick, lethal attacks. Once the fight has ended, he emphasizes the importance of stepping away and calling 911 immediately.

The club also hosts a Ultimate Fighting Championship event in The DEN once or twice a year. Club members can bring food and enjoy hanging out with each other while watching the UFC matches that are airing on television that day.

“We just like for everyone to be friends here,” Doll said. “The last thing we want is for someone to be nervous to come to the club because their worried about getting hurt. We look out for each other.”

Posted by Powell Cobb on Feb 2 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.