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MMA facility to open in Columbia next month

By Judit Trunkos

Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is a sport in which multiple styles of martial arts can be used including striking and grappling to defeat the opponent. The objective is to master both the defensive and offensive techniques of many fighting styles to be able to win inside the ring or cage.

In the 1960s and 70s Bruce Lee developed a hybrid fighting method in which he mixed the most effective elements of different styles of combat. Due to the popularity of his movies the idea of mixing fighting styles spread in the United States. In 1993 modern MMA was born with the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). The idea behind ultimate fighting was to make the combat situation as real as possible, regulating it with only minimal rules to see which styles are the most effective. Since the mid-90s more rules were introduced to protect the athletes and to encourage the acceptance of the sport.

Many people find MMA too aggressive and damaging to the body, but those who are already hooked on this emerging sport are organizing their whole lives around the TV schedule of the fights. MMA is not alien to Columbia either. There are martial arts clubs teaching the styles that are most commonly used in MMA fights. Despite of the fact that MMA tournaments are currently illegal in South Carolina, to teach and practice multiple fighting styles is allowed and becoming increasingly popular.

Sifu/Guru Mark Mills is chief instructor and founder of the Columbia Martial Arts Training Center (CMATC) located in Lexington.

“In reality, during a MMA fight it’s seldom anyone gets hurt,” Mills says. “With the new rules in effect, the athletes are much safer than for instance in a boxing match, where they allow the fighter to stand up and keep fighting after a knock out.”

CMATC is the only school in the Midlands teaching a unique curriculum of five world-class martial arts, offering a blend of contemporary arts to encompass all ranges of combat including Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Grappling-BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), Muay Thai kickboxing and Wing Chun. Mills founded CMATC with the main goal in mind to enhance conditioning, endurance, strength, balance and flexibility to lead to a healthier body and to teach students to defend themselves. He also believes that the training develops self-discipline and improves the inner self.

“The personal growth provided by the extensive training,” he says, “will help students to break through their perceived limitations in all areas of life.”

Nothing proves Columbia’s increasing interest in martial arts more than the opening of a new, 5000 square foot facility. Located at 239 Two Notch Road, when opened, it will provide more training rooms and more classes.