MMA legend Gracie imparts Jiu Jitsu wisdom at HM Fitness Centre

Mahak Mannan 18:23 20/01/2014
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  • Learning from the best : Royce Gracie (r) with Female fighter Lise Knudsen.

    One of the most influential figures in Jiu Jitsu was in Dubai on Sunday as Royce Gracie, considered one of the pioneers of Mixed Martial Arts, gave his fans the opportunity of a lifetime.

    MMA fans in the region gathered at the new HM Fitness Centre at The Dubai Bowling Centre where the UFC Hall of Famer was conducting a two hour long session on his family’s defensive style of Jiu-Jitsu.

    The HM fitness centre is home to the Gracie Academy, their first facility in the UAE. This world renowned academy teaches the Gracie Family techniques and style of MMA that have been perfected over the years by Royce Gracie himself, and helps their students to develop the most effective system of self-defence.

    The workshop consisted of participants of all age groups, from the very young to the professional Jiu-Jitsu fighters grasping the opportunity to receive hands on training from the legendary Gracie.

    It was not only men who took part in the workshop, but excited ladies also participated in the training to improve their skills at self-defence.

    Also present at the event was Tam Khan, the managing partner of HM Fitness, a Mixed Martial Artist and the founder of the Contender MMA Centre.

    “It is very good to have Royce here,” a delighted Khan said. “It shows our legitimacy in the market that we are real and we are being the best. It’s like bringing down Mohammed Ali for boxing, because he’s the Godfather, and so is Royce.

    Khan also shed some light on the UAE’s presence in the bigger international MMA scene, stating “We will have a UAE representative in UFC in the next ten years for sure.

    “I’m going to have a big show coming this year, and a lot more professional events, a lot of kickboxing as well as boxing, Jiu-Jitsu events and many more world class seminars.

    “We are just going to keep it exciting for the fans bringing people like Royce over and keep it buzzing. Maybe even something with professional wrestling. So stay tuned!”

    Ben Scott, manager of HM Fitness Centre said: “We have had people fly in from Saudi for the workshop, people are coming in for the events which is fantastic to try and bring it to the masses. Quality goes through everything that we do; quality of equipment, quality of coaches. We strive for five star facilities and give the best to our people.”

    Speaking of how important it is to have big names like Gracie come into the centre, Scott added: “It is an honour to have him, he is a pioneer of MMA and UFC. We don’t want any old instructor; we want the best, world class seminars, world class instructors, everything of that level. We don’t want to be second best, we want to be on top and you cannot have much better than this.”

    The pioneer of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gracie also highlighted the necessity to educate people in the region “There is so much talent around here so it is just the question to know how to explore and train the guys. Many people think it is violent, it is not violent, its Martial arts, it is not picking out thugs from the street. There are so many people with so much talent that hasn’t been explored yet.

    “It is just the question to learn, teach and develop the skills”.

    Ayat Abdussalamov, a young trainee at the workshop could not believe he trained with Gracie, saying “He is just amazing and a legend. I did not have to think twice to come for his workshop.”

    Lise Knudsen, a female fighter attending the workshop added: “It was a lot of fun! This was a great training from an excellent fighter. I wish we can have more seminars like these.”

    HM Fitness Centre is open 7 days a week from 6 AM to 12 AM.

    For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/HMFitnessCentre

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