Featured affiliated academy: Stadium MMA, Florida
Where is the gym located?
We are located in Port Orange, Florida, the city right next to the world famous Daytona Beach.
How many people train there?
We currently have 45 consistent members training with us.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
The gym is growing, we add around 10 new members a month.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
We have all skill levels training here, from “never stepped on the mats” white belts to black belts.
When did Stadium MMA, Florida open?
I opened the gym two years ago this month (March).
Some facts about you:
Name: Kelly Green
Age: 49
Belt: Brown
Profession: Gym owner
Years in BJJ: 14
Other martial arts: Besides BJJ I also have trained Muay Thai in combination with MMA since day 1
Currently living in: Port Orange, Florida, USA
Originally from: Rochester, New York
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
I had moved to Thailand to live and train permanently, and was back visiting my sister to get a new visa. She asked me to stay for a few months and then we got the Covid shutdown. This threw a wrench in my living in Thailand, and when I was fed up with cancelled flights and regulations changing daily I decided to move back to Florida where I had lived many years ago. I wanted to share all that I learned training at Wand Fight Team in Las Vegas and my time living and training in Thailand. I flew down to Florida for a week and found the location to open my gym.
Tell us about the people that train in Stadium MMA, Florida – who are they?
The students are from all walks of life, like most of the gyms. We definitely see more of the very new to combat sports type of people. We pride ourselves on being a place without cliques and where everyone feels confident and welcome.
Why do they train?
The people who train at Stadium MMA are just like all of us. They all train for their own reasons, from getting in better shape, mental well being, and some to test themselves and compete in combat sports.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
The biggest hurdle in running a BJJ gym is the same as any business that has competition – making yourself stand apart from the rest.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
BJJ in our area will continue growing, and we hope that anyone with interest will give it a shot and find a spot in the perfect gym.
What’s the best thing about Stadium MMA, Florida?
The best thing about our gym would be our students and the acceptance of anyone with an interest in giving training a shot, no matter what their personal reasons are. Everyone is welcome here.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
We are in Florida, so the beach of course! We’re also within an hour or so of all the theme parks and the Space Centre. There’s tons of stuff to do in the area.
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