Originally published September 13, 2007

Built to Win

By St. Brett Baird
FSView

Tallahassee Mixed Martial Arts has taken on a new look. The former Tallahassee Fight Club has changed its name and location in an attempt to further become one of the elite programs in not only the state of Florida but also the nation.

Thursday, Sept. 6, TMMA opened its doors for the first time to the public.

The 4,000 square-foot training area has wall-to-wall padded floors and 1,200 feet of mat space. There are also six heavy bags as well as strength and conditioning equipment. Three full-time instructors are available and "fight school" is open 8-10 hours a day.

"(Here) we teach Mixed Martial Arts in an integrated style, not just boxing, wrestling or ju-jitsu," Brian Orkin, owner of TMMA, said. "We are very unique in our integrated style. There are former wrestlers, coaches, Olympians and fighters trained in Brazil here."

Orkin also spoke on the brutal nature of the sport. "We are here to represent the sport in a positive light. We do not brawl or scrap here. We're about being classy athletes, students and leaders."

The school already hosts a number of professional fighters that are currently training for fights around the Southeast. Josh Samman is a 19-year-old Florida State student training to become a full-time fighter. Samman is currently 3-1 with backgrounds in boxing and taekwondo and says TMMA has helped him not only on the mat but in the classroom.

"(TMMA) helps with everything. It's great to get in here, get away, sweat out things and find some peace of mind," Samman said.

Fellow FSU student Shane Weinischke will be competing along side Samman in his sixth fight in Valdosta this month. Weinischke went straight to professional fighting without testing the amateur levels. With four years experience he feels the staff here continues to develop his skills.

"This is a very professional program," Weinischke said. "You can learn something from everybody in the room."

Mixed Martial Arts is not exclusive to guys. Women are encouraged to get involved and better themselves and the program. Whitney Ruth is a junior at FSU majoring in Dietetics.

"The staff is extremely friendly and willing to teach," Ruth said. "The experience is awesome and it's a great workout. This has provided a lot of confidence in myself and has taught me good self-defense."

Orkin stresses the importance of the school at TMMA and not only the team. He encourages everyone to come out and try TMMA.

"Seventy-five percent of people that walk in the door have no prior experience, but we are here to teach. Give it a week and find out for yourself," Orkin said.