Martial Arts Professional Magazine

Instructors, school owners and industry professionals have generally responded positively to the popularity of MMA training in schools and athletic entertainment events when the participants are adults. Bringing martial arts to the mainstream is a boost to everyone in the industry, but what is sure to be a controversial trend is the growing interest in and participation by children in MMA fighting.

Industry Insider has discovered a wide range of new stories about the spread of mixed martial arts to juveniles, who are also fans of UFC and other “cage fighting” circuits and television programming.

John Hackleman, mixed martial arts trainer at The Pit in Arroyo Grande, California and scheduled speaker at the 2008 NAPMA Extreme Success Academy, supports the notion of MMA classes for children, although many react with shock.

Hackleman recently stated that more than 300 kids are training at their local gyms, benefiting from added physical and mental strength, while staying safe. “MMA is much safer than boxing or other sports, and our kids just don’t get hurt,” added Hackleman, claiming only one minor injury in seven years of training with kids.

Another positive voice comes from Chula Vista, California, where UFC heavyweight Brandon Vera opened the Alliance Training Center last year. Students learn wrestling, Thai kickboxing, cage fighting and other sports; and, at least, 50 of the center’s 700 members are younger than 18. Children, as young as five, can enroll in MMA-type classes; and enrollment is climbing.

Vera, who is also a former Air Force wrestler who trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, said, “You get to wrestle, you get to punch, you get to hit people, all in a controlled environment. We give that to kids in a safe place.”

“They love it and the parents love it,” said Vera, whose students have seen their share of sprained ankles and bloody noses. “The kids start saying, ‘Yes, sir’; ‘No, sir’; ‘Yes, ma’am’; and ‘No, ma’am.’”

John Cornett, lead instructor at Xtreme Couture Fitness in Independence, Missouri, said that children must be trained correctly in mixed martial arts to benefit and enjoy the sport, and be safe while doing so.

Cornett said, “When are students start their training, they are not allowed to hit each other. We don’t allow our kids to even spar or make contact with each other.”

With any controversial trend, there are voices in opposition, fearing for the safety of children and the negative messages they may receive. Part of this fear can be attributed to how slowly bureaucracies, be they governmental, athletic or community organizations, react to something new and popular. Some critics think there must be some controls. Currently, Missouri is the only state in the country to explicitly allow fights between youths.

U.S. medical experts and sports officials worry that young bodies can’t withstand the pounding, which could lead to significant injuries to the neck, bones and ligaments. Armando Garcia, executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission and a former U.S. Junior Olympics boxing referee, shares that concern, but said in a recent statement, “Like other sports, cage fighting can be a way for young people to stay out of trouble and build self-confidence. It all depends on how they’re trained. If they’re doing light contact, wearing headgear, separating stand-up training and ground work, and that will help them stay off the streets and narcotics; then I’m very, very happy about that.”

Parents of children in MMA courses are also having their say.

Tommy Bloomer, the dad of two boys who are members of a group called the Garage Boys Fight Crew in Missouri, said he did not understand the fuss. “As a parent, I’d much rather have my kids learning how to defend themselves and receiving positive reinforcement than out on the streets.”

Larry Swinehart, a British police officer, whose three children take part in the sport, said, “It looks violent until you realize this teaches discipline. One of the first rules they learn is that this is not for aggressive behavior outside (the ring).”

Jan Kinslow, who owns the Casey’s Place children’s club in San Carlos, California, said she doesn’t condone fighting as a way to resolve disputes, but she wouldn’t forbid her two sons, ages 13 and 21, from practicing mixed martial arts.

“If it keeps kids out of trouble, then more power to them,” said Kinslow. “When we get the mats out to wrestle, the boys go crazy.”

[Readers of Martial Arts Professional are welcomed and encouraged to comment about children in mixed martial arts training and any other controversial trends in the industry. Your feedback may be printed in the Sound Off Section. Visit that section for how to contact MAPro with your comments.]