Mandurah mixed martial arts (MMA) gym Next Generation is bringing in world class fighters and trainers to help the sport grow throughout the Peel region.
The gym, which opened its doors in February 2016, has seen the likes of Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Chris Brennan mentoring its pupils and will now welcome back former Brazillian jiu jitsu world champion Jimmy Harbison.
Harbison, a coach to many of the world’s top UFC fighters, will be running a clinic at Next Generation Mandurah on Friday, February 24 to teach people the finer point of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
He will then remain at the gym for three weeks, helping people develop their skills.
Next Generation head coach Marcus McKeever said hosting elite fighters and some of the bigger names in the sport was a luxury for the gym.
“It’s amazing that we’re able to simply bring people so established in the sport to our gym, let alone have them run seminars,” he said.
“It’s huge for us to be able to put this sort of stuff on for people and it really helps the sport to grow throughout the region.”
“These guys are world famous, and our young kids are able to learn from their experiences first hand.”
One up and coming MMA fighter benefiting from the elite-level training at Next Generation is 16-year-old Coodanup local Michael Letizia.
Letizia started his training when Next Generation opened last year and quickly shone with a natural ability for the sport.
He spent all off January on a training trip to the UK.
“Michael has really excelled since we opened the gym,” McKeever said.
“He walked straight in with just a little bit of experience in kick-boxing, but he’s gone through all the training the right way and is doing really well.
“We’re hoping to promote the sport more so we can open up these same avenues for other kids in the region.”
Letizia, who is currently back in his regular training with Next Generation, is hoping to make his amateur MMA debut in the coming year.
For more information on clinics at Next Generation Mandurah or to join the gym, call Marcus McKeever on 0498 849 284 or visit 4 Panton Road, Mandurah.