Learn MMA from an experienced fighter!

Gumm MMA is a small gym in Lakewood owned and operated by Brad Gumm, a former UFC veteran. This mixed martial artist has years of experience to back up his coaching skills. Read about Brad!

Condensation drips down the windows of the small gym, forming small pools on the window sills. There are about 13 to 15 sweaty guys, and a couple girls, throwing punches at each other. Circling the mat is the owner of the martial arts gym, Gumm MMA, is Brad Gumm. He corrects the muay thai techniques being practiced and utilized by the students. He isn’t intimidating until he gears up with full head gear, mouth guard, and gloves and demonstrates his acquired talent he is trying to teach to his students. “Never take your eyes off of your opponent,” Brad says through his mouth guard, peering out of his full-faced head gear.

Training

Brad has had a long martial arts career. He began training for at the age of eight. The first discipline he learned was karate. Karate is a fighting method that originated from Japan that includes striking with hands and legs. After years of training for Karate, Brad decided that he wanted to learn more applicable techniques for street fights and self defense. It was then that he began to expand his knowledge of martial arts.
        
In 1996, Brad began to learn Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Both are ground wrestling teachniques, also called grappling. Brad combined the skills of wrestling and boxing to officially become an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter in the same year. He then watched the application of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Ultimate Fighting Championship and decided to pursue that instead of the Japanese version.
 “Conditioning is the most stressful part of training to be an MMA fighter,” Brad said, “but it’s all worth it when you step into the ring.”

Competition

Brad is a black belt in jiu jitsu. He has also taken home a number of titles including WEC champion and Ring of Fire Champion. He also fought in the UFC against Shonie Carter. Brad holds a record of 18-8-2. (Wins, losses, draw).

Instruction

Brad has been teaching mixed martial art techniques since early 2000. He then opened a gym of his own with his wife, Alicia, in 2005. Brad and Alicia had met 4 years earlier when Alicia went to fights looking for people to train her in more effective self defense techniques. She holds a brown belt under Brad and teaches the majority of the classes with Brad.
          
They both enjoy training individuals who are determined to improve their grappling and boxing skills. “Being able to see people grow and learn, knowing that I’m able to make a change in someone’s life is what motivates me to teach at the gym,” he said.
There are a variety of classes for all skill levels at Brad Gumm’s mixed martial arts gym. Kids and adults can all learn jiu jitsu and muay thai in a small gym where they can get personal coaching from a veteran of the sport. Brad’s laid back attitude is reflected in the ambiance of the gym. When asking what words of advice Brad would have for someone new to the sport he replied, “Be patient, work hard, and strive to improve every day. Oh, and always wear a mouth guard!”
            
He takes off his head gear dripping with sweat as his opponent is gasping for breath. He smiles a big grin, gulps down some water, and calls out the next student he wants to spar with. Brad Gumm is a man with true dedication to the sport of mixed martial arts who able to teach others how to utilize the skills. He encourages everyone to train their hardest and you can excel both physically and mentally.