This SATURDAY, February 12, 2021 is Spring Testing! All events are at Mat Life Training Center - Gainesville. 9am - Karate Testing 11am - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Testing 1pm - Kickboxing/Muay Thai Testing We will have fresh empanadas and fresh squeezed juice during testing. All members, including junior members are eligible to test. 6-8pm - 80s Party - Potluck and Costumes are encouraged This event is kid-friendly. ....
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Read moreMat Life Training Center’s Japanese martial arts history began in 1978, when Alex Heyman started teaching Japanese ju jutsu, Judo, and karate together as a complete martial arts system in Alachua County Heyman began training in these styles at the age of seven, and had more than two decades of training experience when he began teaching in the Gainesville area. Heyman with Jason Dodd at Global MMA Academy. In 1993, Heyman teamed up with Michael Black, who was leading the Florida Shorinji-ryu karate organization at the time, to open Heyman’s Martial Arts Academy on NW 10th Avenue in Gainesville. Mat Life founder Jason C á rdenas Dodd began training ....
Read moreMat Life Training Center, then Global MMA Academy, opened Alachua County’s first competitive kickboxing program in 2006 under Mario Shaur, who was an experienced striking instructor from South America. Mat Life founder Jason C á rdenas Dodd began training K1 rules kickboxing with Shaur when he first opened the program. Dodd had been training in full-contact karate since 1987, which made a natural transition into kickboxing, and then Muay Thai. Shaur, Global MMA Fighters, and Dodd at an amateur striking event in Daytona Beach in 2011. Dodd serendipitously met professional Muay Thai fighter and coach Stefan Butin Bik of Crystal River in 2011, and ....
Read moreMat Life Training Center, then Heyman’s Martial Arts Academy, opened Alachua County’s first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program in 1999 under Travis Shaddox, who was a purple belt at the time and student of Ricardo Teixiera . Mat Life founder Jason C á rdenas Dodd began training Brazilian jiu jitsu under Shaddox when he first opened the program. Dodd training with Shaddox at Global MMA Academy in 2006. In 2006, Dodd purchased the academy from his long-time instructor and mentor, Alex Heyman, opening Global MMA Academy, which offered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Karate, the foundation of our programs today. At that time, Dodd began ....
Read moreThis week in Muay Thai we're working the jab, lead cook, cross with inside and outside low leg kick. ....
Read moreThis week in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu we're working the cross pocket grip variation of the Kimura Sweep, with the triangle choke set up, defense, knee slide pass, and knee slide pass defense. ....
Read moreThis week we're working the Cross, Hook, Uppercut series in Muay Thai! Check out the video below. ....
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My entire family is apart of this gym, so I am there 5-6 days a week and it is amazing. I really like the coaches and the atmosphere. I am constantly learning new things while also getting an amazing workout. Plus I have had the best massage of my life here. The masseuse literally fixed a knee issue I was having with a single session. Would highly RECOMMEND!
Have been attending martial art classes here for well over a month now. And not once did I feel disappointed, cheated, or left out. Would highly recommend!
I strongly encourage people to come here. If you want to be put into the test and get out of your comfort zone, and at the same time have a nice experience getting to your goals, this is the place for you. Super friendly and goal oriented toward students.
