| LEFT FIELD Columbia's sports alternative |
| Columbia citypaper |
| Photos by Sean Rayford Keith Mosher and Mark Mills demonstrate mixed martial arts (also known as ultimate fighting) at Columbia Martial Arts and Fitness on Augusta Highway in West Columbia on Tuesday night. |
| MMA FACILITY TO OPEN IN COLUMBIA NEXT MONTH |
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
real as possible, regulating it with only minimal rules to see which styles are the most effective. Since the mid-90's 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 found 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 the 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.
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
real as possible, regulating it with only minimal rules to see which styles are the most effective. Since the mid-90's 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 found 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 the 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.
| talkback@columbiacitypaper.com |
| By Judit Trunkos |
| Copyright, Columbia Martial Arts and Fitness |
| Results from the Fall 2007 Submission Grappling Tournament are in. CLICK HERE to see the results (displayed in MS Word). |
| Columbia Martial Arts Announces 5 - 1 MMA Fight Record |
Tim Goodwin (seen left) is a 145 lb Light Weight with
CMA. His fight went all 3 rounds, with Tim generally
having the upper-hand. In the third round, Tim gained
top mount, pinned one of his opponent's hands and
rained down bombs, forcing a Referee Stoppage due to
blows, and gaining Mr. Goodwin his first win.
George Greaves (seen right) is a 205 lb Heavy Weight
with CMA, and has a 3-1 record. George won his fight
by Referee Stoppage due to blows at 1:01 of the First
Round. If you want to read George's impression of this
fight, CLICK HERE.
CMA. His fight went all 3 rounds, with Tim generally
having the upper-hand. In the third round, Tim gained
top mount, pinned one of his opponent's hands and
rained down bombs, forcing a Referee Stoppage due to
blows, and gaining Mr. Goodwin his first win.
George Greaves (seen right) is a 205 lb Heavy Weight
with CMA, and has a 3-1 record. George won his fight
by Referee Stoppage due to blows at 1:01 of the First
Round. If you want to read George's impression of this
fight, CLICK HERE.
| 3-1 George Greaves at CMA |
| Valley Fight League's Feb. 9, 2008 fight was titled, MMA In The Valley VII - We're Back... Held at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds in Harrisonburg, VA., the Fight Card was huge! |
| 1-0 Tim Goodwin at CMA |
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| Solon "Sharktooth" Staley wins ISKA Championship Belt at Caged Chaos II, 2-26-2011. |