| Jorge Gurgel talks about the UFC and Cincinati |
By Cincinati.com
Walk into one of the newest and largest martial arts gyms in Greater Cincinnati and the first thing that catches your eye is "the cage."
It’s a giant, black, fenced-in metal cage designed so that two men can step in and savagely pound on each other without allowing any escape.
The ominous-looking fighting pen is surrounded by an expansive 13,000-square-foot gym recently opened in Butler County’s West Chester Township by Brazilian native and Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Jorge Gurgel.
What the first-time visitor also notices is that the cage is surrounded most evenings by dozens of young boys and girls grappling on a 3,000-square-foot mat while nearby their moms and dads pummel away at punching bags and gym instructors.
The 30-year-old Gurgel is hoping his global popularity as one of ultimate fighting’s most charismatic fighters will attract the young and old, men and women, to his new Mixed Martial Arts Academy off Cox Road.
The cage elicits stares and conversation but is rarely used and off-limits to most. Only Gurgel, and former UFC Middleweight Champion and Greater Cincinnati native Rich Franklin - along with a handful of aspiring UFC fighters - are allowed to spar inside it, but not without Gurgel’s approval.
"The cage is not for fun or play. It’s a privilege to go in there, and you have to pay your dues first," explains Gurgel, who is 13-2 in his fights broadcast around the world on pay-for-view TV events. The violent and often bloody sport has left the former college international-business major with a broken nose (four times), broken fingers and transplanted ligaments in both of his knees.
But Gurgel also knows that the custom-built fighting cage, which is smaller than those seen in weekly Ultimate Fighting Championship TV broadcasts on the "Spike" cable network, helps draw to the academy a growing number of the sport’s fans throughout Greater Cincinnati.
Young boys, teens and adults - including women - are eager to learn some of the full menu of mixed martial arts - kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jujitsu, submission grappling and American boxing - served up by Gurgel’s new gym. As a bonus, members get up close and personal to Gurgel and Franklin - the headliner fighter at the academy. Franklin is one of the biggest names on next month’s fight card for the next ultimate-fighting pay-for-view TV bouts at a sold-out, 18,000-seat Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
The sport is now about a decade old and has been criticized - especially in its earlier years - as a dangerously brutal form of caged combat. Fighters use mixed martial arts to exchange punches, kicks and wrestle until one is unconscious, gives up or medical doctors call the match to prevent potentially fatal injuries.
But Gurgel and fight fans dismiss the critics. They say most first-time viewers are oblivious to the strategies and nuances of a sport they consider a 21st-century version of boxing.
"It will only keep growing in popularity," he predicts.
And he is hoping his new academy - more than three times larger than the gym he moved from in Middletown - also will mirror that growth by catering to ultimate-fighting fans who have no plans to step into the fight cage or of letting their children do so.
John Leindecker of Liberty Township sits matside watching his 7-year-old son, Christopher, and 8-year daughter, Elizabeth, grapple with same-sex partners in one of the academy’s children classes.
"I’m a big fan of UFC but I have no interest in them going on to fight in the UFC. In the same way I don’t have my son or daughter play soccer just so they can become a soccer star," said Leindecker. "I want them to learn the discipline that comes with mixed martial arts for their everyday lives and I want them to be able to protect themselves. The instructors here are great and they are great with kids."
Nearby, Cindy Ronto sits on a weight-lifting bench wrapping her hands before putting on her pink kick-boxing gloves. The Franklin Township mother is there with her husband - jogging on a treadmill - and her young son.
"I love watching UFC fights. It’s very exciting and even though they beat each other up, you can see the respect they have for each other afterwards," said Ronto, one of a dozen women in their 20s and 30s taking kickboxing this evening.
She especially likes the friendly, family atmosphere in the academy, which the high-spirited Gurgel promotes with his constant joking banter.
"It’s fun here, but everyone is focused. It’s cool to be in here and around guys like Rick Franklin who are training for UFC fights," Ronto said.
Franklin, a University of Cincinnati graduate, former Oak Hills High School math teacher, and three-time middleweight champ, trains almost everyday with Gurgel, who fights in a lighter weight division.
With a 22-2 record, Franklin makes a good living off his winnings and is parlaying his popularity into international product endorsements and a clothing line.
When parents see their first UFC fight, they think it’s so violent, he says.
"But 99 percent of the people are here for the mixed martial arts training, not to fight in the cage."
| " | "The cage is not for fun or play. It's a privilege to go in there, and you have to pay your dues first" |
Hey why doesn’t this tool stop talking and start showing soem talent… his mouthing off is better then his results.. Jorge is a total tool! he looks to be in great shape but he couldn’t even finish off Danni A. Jorge has no finishing skills just a big mouth,,, I totally love when Matt H. was teasing him,, I couldn’t agree more with Matt about what a loser Jorge is,,, I can’t stand him,, toally arrogant with no results to back it up.. trying dominating a fight ,, just once ,, and Dann A. is a total puss and you couldn’t even finish him… what a Tool!
To that last response about Jorge. Well, you couldnt be more far off from the truth if you tried. Evidentally he does indeed have talent. He is known in the UFC dumbass. He has made a name for himself. He has earned some respect. I havent heard of you,,what is your name? Fattus Albertus??? Truth be known, you are probably one of those over weight people sitting in there recliner eating extra buttered pop corn in front of the tv with a friend who split renting the fight with you because, well it was alittle too expensive. Noone sees or hears of ASSSOBIG aka. Fattus Albertus…heavyweight…..challenging him in a fight? I have met Jorge and he is a stand up guy. Very personable, and yes in GREAT SHAPE HE IS. What about you talker? Are you a tool??????? Remember, there is a cage in West Chester. I dont see you on any web page. Put down the Krispy Kreme before you speak next time and please wipe your mouth and fingers. . The icing is very sticky.
to the last jurgel,,, fluffer,,, I actaully do not like that paticular fighter I think he is a tool and your a bigger one for defending him… I am in very good shape and have been to a few events live… I am not a couch dweller ,,, but you maybe since you know so much about it,,, I don’t know who fattus albertus is ,,, but I am sure you share alot of similarities,,, as for money ,,, you must be white trash or trailer park material,,, as you seem to know alot about that… I am not a MMa fighter or nor would I want to be… I like my face and it is hard to hurt something you love,, but I could kick your ass ,,, your a toool he is a tool with a big mouth,,, you have alot in common,,, now get off your knees and get a job loser!!!