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With the rise in popularity of the UFC and mixed martial arts (MMA), students at University of North Carolina at Asheville are finding ways to participate in combat sports on campus. One of these ways is via the MMA Club.
Founded in 2024 as a small group of students, the MMA Club later partnered with the school to gain resources and launch the club officially.
Declan Bell, president of the MMA Club, says that he wanted to train in a sport that wouldn’t break the bank as a college student.
“It’s a sport that I like; everyone has their sport in high school,” Bell said. “There’s baseball and basketball. My sport was boxing.”
The club welcomes all skill levels, training in a variety of fighting styles such as boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Members practice moves such as takedowns and wall work on mats set up in the UNC Asheville Student Recreation center. Bell says his goal is to improve the club by inviting dedicated kickboxing and boxing coaches to lead club lessons.
Nicco Avallone, a student and member of the MMA Club, said that the club is his first experience with combat sports.
Avallone said that he joined the club after one of his friends had invited him to a session, which he enjoyed. He said he gets motivated when he’s able to work out with fellow club members.
“I’ve come to realize that I’m a team person, I enjoy doing things as a collective,” Avallone said. “I’m kind of obsessive about my workouts and being healthy so being able to do that with a group is really awesome.”
As a student and a member of the MMA Club, Keira Madden says she sees the club as a way to get her mind off of the stresses of school and being far from home.
Madden says she appreciates the no-judgment environment, as it helps her gain confidence not just in her ability but also in her day to day life.
“It builds mental toughness, confidence and it strengthens you,” Madden said. “It keeps you healthy physically and mentally, cleans your mind.”
Madden is an experienced MMA fighter, as she has more than eight years of experience and was previously a Division I athlete in wrestling. She says that one of the first things she did when she got to UNC Asheville’s campus was to ask around for an MMA Club.
With a supportive environment and plans to improve the club, the UNC Asheville MMA Club is an accessible way for students to explore combat sports. Members meet on Mondays and Fridays, with information being put out on the UNCA MMA Club Instagram account, @unca.mma.
“Try it out before you diss it,” Cason Calstrom, a member of the club, said. “They’re not gonna going to throw you into the woodwork and get you beat up. You’re gonna get taught, not going to get injured.
