The Pacer

Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Sports Extra

Media Credit: Amanda Carr

Over the past few years the organization and interest in Mixed Martial Arts has grown across the country, and the region.

Teams have been established all across the area including the team "Relentless" which consists of several UTM students.

UTM Graduate Jake Underwood and his brother Junior Zach Underwood formed "Relentless" in January of 2008, and now is twelve members strong.

"Jake started fighting before I did, but I've been fighting for about a year and a half. We trained in other places and then decided to start a local team," said Zach Underwood.

This newly founded team has competed many times away from home but this Saturday they will host their first local fight. Union City Fight Night "Thunderwood" will be held at Ridgemont Elementary School in Union City on Oct. 11 and will start at 7:30 p.m.

"Relentless" consists of all local members who have decided to fight for a number of reasons.

"I mostly do it because I enjoy it, but it also helps keep me out of trouble," said Freshman Corey Crocker.

MMA is a good way to exercise and keep in shape. It is also a good stress reliever and helps teach self-defense.

Along with the twelve adults, "Relentless" has several young members who only participate in practice. All of the team members help out and teach these young men.

"It's good for them to learn discipline and teamwork and when you teach someone something you always learn something as well," said Senior Joe Thiede.

Theide is the reigning Heavyweight Champion of the High Octane Fighting Championship.

Brought to the U.S. in 1993, MMA is a full contact sport, which uses a mixture of various disciplines including karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, sumo and other combat sports.

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