Post added: Sept 1, 2010

The MMA LAB is a Proud Sponsor of “WiL Power Challenge” A FREE Childhood Obesity Prevention Program

 

Glendale, AZ. – September 1, 2010– Glendale, Arizona based MMA Lab, a premier mixed martial arts training facility, announced today that they are a proud sponsor of the “WiL Power Challenge”, a non-profit program designed to combat childhood obesity, poor fitness, and the health problems associated with inactivity. This unique program, which kicks off on September 20, 2010, educates participants about the benefits of healthy living.

According to Jason Beck, owner of the MMA Lab, “We are very proud to be a sponsor of the “WiL Power Challenge.”  The MMA Lab is an avid supporter of programs that motivate today’s youth to stay active and live healthier. Our staff understands the importance of educating our students about the benefits of exercise and proper nutrition. Our youth programs are a very integral part of what we offer at the Lab.”

Beck went on to say, “There is a distinct need for programs like the “WiL Power Challenge, not only here in the valley, but in many cities throughout the U.S. Obesity rates are at their highest, and the only way to combat this growing epidemic is to educate and motivate our youth. This program gives participants the tools that they need to live healthier.”

The “WiL Power Challenge” is free for children 10 to 14 years old that have a BMI percentile of 85% or higher. Each child must have a physician’s referral to participate in the program. While enrolled in the program, participants will receive nutritional counseling, follow a fun exercise regimen, keep food journals, and participate in monthly weigh-ins. Because the “WiL Power Challenge” is positioned as a contest, there will be a winner chosen from each individual clinic. Winners will be determined by the greatest percentage of weight and inches lost, the completion of homework, and attendance. The overall winner will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship.

For more information on the “WiL Power Challenge”, please log on to www.wilpowerchallenge.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wilpowerchallenge.com.

About “WiL Power Challenge”

 

Foothills Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation developed the WiL Power program in January 2008 after recognizing a need in the Arizona communities to do something to help overweight and obese children live healthier happier lives, so they may grow up to have less incidence of injury and depression. The WiL Power Challenge is a three month program, positioned as a contest, for children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old with a BMI of 85% or higher. Participants must receive a doctor's referral to join the program. The program includes three supervised workouts per week with a Foothills' strength and conditioning specialists, weekly nutrition education meetings from certified dietitians and nutritionists, fun weekend and home activities, cool prizes, and a $1,000 scholarship for the overall winner!

 

Post added: August 18th, 2010

 

MMA LAB Fighter Chris “Gritz” Gruetzemacher Clinches Fifth Straight Win at  Strikeforce Debut

Glendale, AZ. – August 17, 2010 – Chris “Gritz” Gruetzemacher, a member of the MMA LAB Elite Fight Team, made an impressive showing during his Strikeforce debut over the weekend. Gruetzemacher, now 6-1, clinched his fifth straight win, defeating Ryan Diaz in round one via TKO stoppage.  Gruetzemacher made his debut at the Strikeforce Challengers Event at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chris “Gritz” Gruetzemacher (6-1), a well rounded fighter with exceptional wrestling and jiu jitsu skills, was currently riding a four fight win streak when he stepped into the cage with Diaz. Gruetzmacher ended this fight much like his recent victory over Nadeem Al-Hassan, at RITC 140, quickly and in the first round. Gruetzemacher has not lost a fight in nearly a year and plans to go undefeated in 2010.

Chris Gruetzemacher had this to say, “It was a privilege fighting for a world class fight organization like Strikeforce. It was a great experience and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I want to thank all of my coaches at the MMA Lab, everyone that helped me train for the fight, and my friends and family for all of their support.” 

           

Gruetzemacher trains out of the  MMA LAB  in Glendale, Arizona alongside top contenders including WEC Lightweight Champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson and UFC fighter Efrain “Hecho en Mexico” Escudero. The MMA LAB elite coaching staff is among the best in Arizona. The MMA LAB Elite Fight team trains under Six Time World Champion Kick-boxer Rick “The Jet” Roufus, strength/conditioning coach Jarret Aki, and top-level Jiu Jitsu instructor John Crouch.

About MMA LAB

The MMA LAB , based in Glendale Arizona, is the Southwest’s premiere mixed martial arts training center. This state-of-the-art facility has over 14,000 square feet of training area and four training rooms.  In addition to the vast amount of grappling and mat space, the Lab offers a full weight and cardio room which includes cardio equipment, weight machines, free weights and plyometric equipment.  Lab members also have access to separate men’s and women’s locker rooms, child care, massage therapy and spa services. The LAB employs a world renowned team of instructors with over 100 years of training experience in multiple disciplines, to ensure each member exceeds their personal goals. Programs are offered in Muay Thai/Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Grappling, Mixed Martial Arts and Sports Conditioning. Classes are set up to accommodate all ages and skill levels, from the individual fighter to every member of the family. The children’s classes correspond with adult classes, creating a truly family-friendly environment and the LAB ’s expanded hours provide opportunities to train morning and night. For more information please visit www.mmalab.com or call 623-792-8543. 

 

Post added: August 10th, 2010

MMA LAB Fighter Chris “Gritz” Gruetzemacher To Make his Strikeforce Debut

on August 13 in Phoenix

 

Glendale, AZ. – August 10, 2010 – The MMA Lab announced this week that Chris “Gritz” Gruetzemacher, a member of the MMA Lab Elite Fight Team, has signed a one fight deal with world championship fight promotion, Strikeforce. Gruetzemacher will face Ryan Diaz at the Strikeforce Challengers Event on Friday, August 13, at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chris “Gritz” Gruetzemacher (5-1), a well-rounded fighter with exceptional wrestling and jiu jitsu skills, is currently riding a four-fight win streak. His most recent victory was over Nadeem Al-Hassan, at RITC 140, a fight that quickly ended by TKO in the first round. Gruetzemacher, who fights at 146lbs, has been undefeated for nearly a year, and plans to continue his win streak at Strikeforce Challengers. Gruetzemacher will face Ryan “Lion” Diaz (13-12), who is looking to make a comeback after a recent loss to Reuben Duran at KOTC – Arrival.

“Fighting for a world class fight organization like Strikeforce is an unbelievable opportunity.  I plan to put on a great show for the fans, add another win to my record, and prove to Strikeforce that I am a high level contender.”

Chris Gruetzemacher had this to say about his upcoming bout, "Fighting for a world class fight organization like Strikeforce is an unbelievable opportunity.  I plan to put on a great show for the fans, add another win to my record, and prove to Strikeforce that I am a high level contender."             

Chris "Gritz" Gruetzemacher trains out of the  MMA LAB  in Glendale, Arizona alongside other top contenders such WEC Lightweight Champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson and UFC fighter Efrain “Hecho en Mexico” Escudero. The MMA LAB Elite Coaching Staff is among the best in Arizona. The MMA LAB Elite Fight team trains under Six Time World Champion Kick-Boxer Rick “The Jet” Roufus, strength/conditioning coach Jarret Aki, and top-level Jiu Jitsu instructor John Crouch.

 

Post added: August 4th, 2010

MMA LAB Elite Fight Team Goes 2-0 at Rage in the Cage 143

Glendale, AZ. – April 17, 2009 – The MMA Lab Elite Fight Team, based out of Glendale, Arizona, had a very impressive showing at the Rage in the Cage event at Celebrity Theatre over the weekend. MMA Lab Fighters, Charlie Brown and Yaotzin Meza both added notable wins to their record at the RITC 143 event.

Charlie Brown (8-2) secured his third consecutive RITC win over the weekend by defeating Leonard Wilson via submission (arm triangle) in a second round victory. Brown is currently undefeated in 2010. Yaotzin Meza (12-6) was also victorious. Yaotzin went head to head with Casey Milliken in what turned out to be a very intense ground battle. In the end, Yaotzin was victorious, defeating Milliken via unanimous decision.

According to MMA Lab Elite Fight Team head coach John Crouch, “Our game plan for both fighters was to take it to the ground. It was very apparent that Charlie and Yaotzin trained hard and sharpened their ground skills in preparation for their respective fights. They came out strong and stayed focused. Both fighters had an impressive showing and came away with victories. The MMA Lab is very proud.”             

The MMA LAB employs some of the highest qualified instructors in Arizona, including six time world champion kick-boxer Rick “The Jet” Roufus, strength/conditioning coach Jarret Aki, and John Crouch, the facilities top-level Jiu Jitsu instructor and head MMA coach. Crouch is a black belt in Jiu Jitsu under Royce Gracie. The MMA LAB continues to draw top level fighters such as WEC lightweight champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson and UFC fighter Efrain “Hecho en Mexico” Escudero.

 

Post added: July 29th, 2010

 

Post added: April 12th, 2010

Thank you to all of the students, family and friends that participated in the Kickboxing Tournament this past weekend. It was a huge success!

A very special thank you to our students, family and friends for inviting guests to come to our event. We are pleased to announced that we raised $1,400 in donations from the event!!! We are ordering new Thai Pads and additional Focus Mitts this week!

Congrats to our winners, your hard work and commitment were truly evident in your efforts in the cage on Saturday.

Kickboxing Tournament Results

Youth Division
1st Kyle Peay
2nd Nathan Trevino

135 to 155
1st Adam Marconett
2nd Rob Buonanno

156 to 175
1st Chuck Gatti
2nd Noah Nez

176 to 199
1st Kelly Oser
2nd Brandon Behrens

200+
1st Levi Brooks
2nd Tyson Rigsby

And be on the lookout, as this will NOT be the last Kickboxing tournament we will hold.

 

Post added: April 6th, 2010

The LAB Kickboxing Tournament

Come out and support your local LAB family as

they compete in the LAB's first inner-school tournament.

When: April 10th

Where: The MMA LAB

17235 N 75th Ave Bldg H, Glendale, AZ 85308

Time: 4 PM

Price: Donations greatly appreciated

All donations will be going towards new gear for The LAB!

 

Post added: April 6th, 2010

Preregistration for the 2nd Arizona BJJ Kids Cup taking place on April 24th, 2010 has begun.

Please visit http://www.bjj-broker.com/signup.html to sign up your child.

This is not the actual tournament sign up.

This tournament is for children (ages 4-15 years) and Juveniles (born in 1993-1994).
Please direct any questions to Chris Zubrycki @ 602-538-5707.

Also, if you have already officially paid and registered up for the tournament on the StrongVon website,

please continue to register on http://www.bjj-broker.com/signup.html

so that we know how many children are participating.

Please remember to bring non-perishable foods to the tournament for the food drive!

 

Post added: March 16th, 2010

The MMA LAB's own
Chris "Gritz"Gruetzemacher & Charlie "Hollywood" Brown
will be fighting in Rage In the Cage.
Make sure to purchase tickets through The MMA LAB,
$5 per ticket will be going directly to Gritz and Hollywood!

When: Sat., March. 20, 2010

Time: Fights start at 7:00 PM

Where: WIld Horse Pass Hotel & Casino,
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85226

Price: Assigned Seating $40 each

Tickets available at The MMA LAB

 

Post added: February 11th, 2010

Attention Wrestling Students and Parents:

 

The MMA LAB is excited to announce the addition of our newest instructor Chris “Gritz” Gruetzemacher.  Coach Gritz has been added on as our full time youth Wrestling Coach.  He took over classes in January and we would like to provide a brief biography of his credentials, passion for wrestling, goals and expectations for the youth wrestling program.

 

Coach Gritz’s first day of wrestling practice started in seventh grade, two weeks before regional’s. He was unable to try out for the basketball team because the basketball team was more than halfway through the season. The coach for the wrestling team on the other hand had no problem allowing him to try out for the team. Two weeks later, the day of JV regional’s he had his first wrestling match and his first loss. After that, his love for wrestling, without a doubt, started that day.

 

He wrestled in high school for all four years, three of which were spent on the varsity team. He was region champion for three years and was runner up his senior year. Coach Gritz continues to wrestle and train on The LAB Elite Fight MMA team.

 

Understanding the importance of consistency, determination, hard work and discipline all earn your own type of attitude, an attitude that will lead to respect and success.  Coach Gritz plans for the kids wrestling team to continue to learn to not be afraid of a little hard work, have basic fundamentals in all positions of wrestling, and an understanding of how to compete and win. He classes are structured so that The LAB’s Little Wrestlers will go through a fun, but tough wrestling practice that will involve a warm up, skill work on shots and wrestling stance, drill sessions on curriculum for the day, and conditioning.  His classes will assist in preparing the Little Wrestlers for competitions by incorporating the required skill sets and competition rules and regulations during wrestling classes.  Once he feels that the students are confident and eligible he will work with parents and students to compete in local tournaments over the upcoming year.

 

 

We here at the LAB are very excited as our wrestling program continues to evolve and grow. Understanding that we cannot simply move forward without acknowledging what it took to bring us to our current position, we would like to thank all of our previous coaches for their tireless efforts and commitment to our students. We are grateful for your involvement with our program, and we would in particular like to thank: Andy Heckel, Chris Johnson, Ben Braasch, and Bryan Scambler.

 

With the continued effort and commitment of our students, families, instructors and all of us here at the LAB, our youth wrestling program will continue to grow and provide all the necessary tools for your children that you come to expect from our instruction here at the LAB.

 

Post added: February 3rd, 2010

 

 

Post added: January 28th, 2010

The LAB's MMA Fighter Chris "Gritz" Gruetzemacher

will be fighting in Rage In the Cage against Eric Regan.

When: Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Time: Doors open at 6 PM, Fights start at 7:30 PM

Where: Celebrity Theatre , 440 N 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85008

Support Gritz by purchasing tickets at The LAB front desk. 

Tickets will be on sale February 1st. Pricing starts at $25. 

 

Post added: October 3rd, 2009

CONGRATS TO CHRIS GRUETZEMACHER ON HIS 1ST ROUND WIN AT WORLD

 

FIGHTING FEDERATION IN TUCSON!

 

Saturday, October 3rd

Tucson, Arizona

The Lab's own Chris Gruetzemacher represented The MMA Lab

with a 1st Round win by submission!

 

Ben Henderson and John Crouch with Chris after his win!

 

WIN BY ARM BAR!