Snapshot of the Day: The First UFC Gym Opens in Concord, California

by Nick Thomas on Nov 28, 2009 5:51 PM EST in MMA News

"This was the natural evolution for our brand. UFC revolutionized traditional martial arts. It's a perfect fit to us to expand into the fitness area." "We're not looking to train or create fighters. We're looking to create a fun family environment," said UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.

HT: sfgate.com

HT: ufcgyms.com

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by Nick Thomas on Nov 28, 2009 5:06 PM EST reply actions

These Gyms would be big in NYC

I really hope they bring one of these to New York, it will really help grow the sport and open eyes to the skill it takes to compete in MMA. In New York there are always men and women looking for new ways to stay in shape and there is a big fan base here for the sport. They could probably open one up in each borough and make money hand over fist.

Narcisist aka: Alberto Martinez, owner of URDirt.com.

by Narcisist on Nov 28, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

I agree!

It would make them millions.

by asa on Nov 28, 2009 9:06 PM EST up reply actions

does this mean more people will say

“i train ufc” :|

"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"

by blubber_guard on Nov 28, 2009 5:12 PM EST reply actions

i lol’d at both this and noober’s comment below this.

by Cory Braiterman on Nov 28, 2009 6:47 PM EST up reply actions

It is now technically possible to train UFC.

Keep firing Assholes!

In Idaho, it's illegal to f--- a porcupine. You know why? Because someone tried it.

by Ubernoober on Nov 28, 2009 5:32 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Looks like a nice facility.

The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino

by Patrick Tenney on Nov 28, 2009 5:33 PM EST reply actions

I don't think these are going to do too well

I’m skeptical as to how many people are actually going to stick with this long term. If someone wants to fight, they’ll obviously go to a gym interested in training fighters. Even a lot of people who are just looking to get in shape and are fans of the sport are going to join gyms that train fighters.

by bla10cow on Nov 28, 2009 6:07 PM EST reply actions

Good god

I am from the East Bay – Concord is kind of shitty. It’s not nearly as bad as Richmond or East Oakland, but it’s not a nice area.

Pleasant Hill is right there and makes more sense.

BOOSH

by Farthammer on Nov 28, 2009 6:15 PM EST reply actions

So am I....

and Concord (my hometown) is directly connected to Pleasant Hill so I really don’t see the difference.

Besides with all these super bad ass future UFC fighters training there it should be the safest place possible.

"He's got a great package and it's an unusual one." - Joe Rogan on Lyoto Machida @ UFC 94.

by Earl Montclair on Nov 28, 2009 7:56 PM EST up reply actions

I went to DLS

…I always thought PH was much nicer. Then again, my usual experiences in Concord were hanging out on Monument. LOL at the second comment.

BOOSH

by Farthammer on Nov 28, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions

Looks like fun to me. I wouldn’t want to go to a pure muay thai gym because my goal is fitness not competing, but if a gym had weights and cardio machines etc. and instead of offering spinning classes offered jiu jutsu and muay thai classes I’d def sign up.

by Disco1Stu on Nov 28, 2009 6:18 PM EST reply actions

Glad to see an update. Hadn't heard anything since the original press release.

by TDITZ on Nov 28, 2009 7:18 PM EST reply actions

tanya has a decent rack…

that said, why would anyone train here? there are so many GOOD gyms in the area, at least a half dozen gracies… a fairtex… tons of strikeforce fighters have gyms nearby as well…

by slantedwindows on Nov 28, 2009 7:40 PM EST reply actions

I think a lot o people will go, people follow the brand

by IRodC on Nov 28, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

UFC is having a personality crisis.

The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering BROCKLESNAR; to the last I grapple with thee.

by judonerd on Nov 28, 2009 9:20 PM EST reply actions

We’re looking to create a fun family environment," said UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.

Hahaha. That’s a funny quote if I ever heard one. “Look ma, I just rear naked choked papa!”

Anyway, if anyone can pull this off, it’ll be the UFC

by TLow on Nov 29, 2009 12:13 AM EST reply actions

Don’t sleep, guys. If they open up UFC Gyms in conjunction with local fighters and their schools, it could be a HUGE move in terms of retaining talent at the end of their careers, and getting a line to fighters’ students, should they be looking to fight MMA somewhere down the line.

And a gigantic UFC Gym in Midtown Manhattan would be a GREAT way to leave the mark of the brand and the sport in the Media Capital of the World, in anticipation of MMA being legalized in the state.

My question is this: Do we see a lot of UFC Gym product placement on the next season of the Ultimate Fighter?

by madiq on Nov 29, 2009 12:38 AM EST reply actions