Local mixed martial arts ready to explode in the Treasure Valley
By Cliff Wolter
Argus Observer
Saturday, July 24, 2010 11:02 PM PDT
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| Cliff Wolter | Argus Observer
Rick Reyna (right) and Trevor Alsup spar at Reyna’s MMA Academy, situated at the West Park Plaza Mall in Ontario. |
ONTARIO — The history of modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition has its roots in mixed style contests throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim during the early 1900s; the Gracie family’s Vale Tudo martial arts tournaments in Brazil starting in the 1920s; and early mixed martial arts-themed professional wrestling matches (known as Ishu Kakutougi Sen in Japan) hosted by Antonio Inoki in Japan in the 1970s.
It wasn’t until the 1993 that it became more mainstream when Ultimate fighting championship (and Slightly later Pride fighting championships) became popular, sparking a craze and paving the way for numerous MMA events and promotions all over the country.
The origins of the sport in the Treasure Valley actually began in Coos County when Rick Reyna started his mixed martial arts training in Coos Bay Oregon.
Rayna trained under Rafael Torray learning the martial disciplines of American Kick Boxing, Krav Maga (Israeli self defense techniques.) and eventually the Arts of Brazilian Jujutsu and Muay Thai kickboxing.
In 2000, Reyna opened his first school which was Rick Reyna Brazilian Jiujutsu and Kickboxing club.
Reyna promoted MMA events in the area before taking a brief Hiatus.
Now Reyna brings his high energy and positive attitude to the Treasure Valley, and his new school, Rick Reynas MMA academy, (Located 1451 West park Plaza Mall in Ontario), teaches people beginning and advanced techniques in striking, positioning, grappling and submissions.
“I brought it to the area because there was basically nothing like it,” Reyna said.
Rick also admits to having another motivation for teaching. “I wanted to give kids an outlet to do things,” Reyna said. “Not all kids play football or baseball. I wanted them to be part of another respectable sport and try something new.”
Reyna added that It is rewarding to see a troubled kid come in and have an outlet and someone to tell him he is doing a good job.
“Its like an extra big family and being a part of something that took off so big for the sport, and it just makes you feel good helping these guys train.” Reyna said. “I get my satisfaction when the guys come in that have never done anything like this and than I take them to a tournament or to my cousins and watch them use a skill that i have shown them and actually do so well.”
Another of Ricks goals when training others is to build responsible fighters.
“We want to build athletes not bullies, and to keep it a safe fun team oriented place to learn self defense and get into the sport,” Rayna said.
Rayna himself is still a student. He spends up to three days a week training in his own regimen attaining higher levels of certification to better teach his students.
His training days begin around 4 a.m. where he practiced with his peers in Brazilian Jujutsu then it’s off to World Fitness for a rigorous gym workout even before his actual work day begins.
After work its back to the academy where he does the majority of working with his students.
Rayna is in partnership with several other local (and semi-local) outfits such as World Fitness and The KO Rats Boxing Club.
Also with his cousin Chris Reyna and his school Sidekicks Martial Arts Academy In Nampa.
Rayna is planning to bring MMA events back to the area. Rayna wants to bring exposure to the sport in the area.
“I want to bring great exciting entertainment to the local area again. An inexpensive, family fun events for all season long.” Rayna said.“With summer and winter events so people don’t get cabin fever in the colder months.”
These events promise to be big. Fighters from all over the area will be invited.
Competitors from all over the west coast ,central Oregon, Idaho and Utah will be invited.
These events will be in the Old Emporium building in the mall.
Reyna is aiming for an August event which will be announced in the Argus Observer.
