Alyssa Stetson of Worcester’s Mixed Martial Arts Training Center

By Kimberly Dunbar

Imagine walking alone to your car at night without the fear of being attacked. Imagine walking with the confidence of knowing that you can defend yourself in any situation. Alyssa Stetson knows the feeling. During the five short months Stetson has been practicing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), she has not only felt a physical change, but a mental one as well.

“I feel like I can do anything” said Stetson. “I know I can defend myself now.”

Stetson, a Marlboro native and current Worcester resident, took up boxing two years ago in order to get in shape…and was hooked. In May 2006, she fought in ~ and won ~ the Worcester Police Department’s annual Celebrity Boxing fundraiser. When the Mixed Martial Arts Training Center (MMATC) opened in Worcester in June, Stetson went just to check out the large boxing gym, but after experimenting with some of the classes MMATC offered, she kept coming back. “I initially hoped to just get in shape, but now I have set other goals for myself,” she said.

According to Bill Luff, co-owner of MMATC, MMA is a mix of the best martial arts out there, including the four main components of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, and Muay Thai. “This is a sport that has been tested and refined over the years,” said Luff. “It has come so far, and has changed the way people look at martial arts.”

MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, thanks in part to the exposure of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While the sport is publicly male dominated now, the past five years have seen an increase in female participation. Why the exponential interest? “It’s the best self defense out there,” said Luff. “MMA is very good exercise. You are getting in phenomenal shape and are learning a valuable skill at the same time.”

Luff says that there is a great misconception that MMA is “…just two guys pummeling each other in a free for all.” But in reality, they are professional athletes who train hard. “MMA athletes are in the best shape of any other sport, even triathlon athletes.”

Stetson, who trains four to five days a week at MMATC, says MMA is much different than the team sports she grew up playing like soccer, basketball and softball. “In MMA, you are competing for yourself and it’s up to you to push yourself,” she said. She adds that the sport requires one to be disciplined and self-motivated, which are two of the many benefits she reaps from MMA. Besides the fun the sport provides, Stetson says that MMA teaches the athlete to set goals for him or herself, and it has gotten her motivated to do other things in her life.

“Also, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Stetson warns. “You never know when you are going to need these skills to defend yourself.” In October, Stetson started teaching a women’s self-defense class in Marlboro. “It’s a good feeling to know I can help other people,” she said.

Stetson encourages all women to try MMA. “If this is something you want to do, don’t be scared,” she advises. “Just go and try it, I guarantee you will like it. It’s the best feeling.”

MMATC
230 Brooks Street, Worcester, MA
(508) 852-MMAT
myspace.com/massfightclub

Photo: Alyssa Stetson at Worcester’s Mixed Martial Arts Training Center