MMA Lab

Last updated
MMA Lab
MMA Lab logo.svg
Est.2007
Founded byJason Beck
John Crouch
Primary ownersJohn Crouch
Benson Henderson
Joe Ervin
Primary trainersJohn Crouch
Benson Henderson
Past titleholders Benson Henderson
Joe Riggs
Jamie Varner
Training facilities Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
Website Official Website

MMA Lab is a mixed martial arts gym based in Grendale, Arizona. It is notable for producing former UFC Lightweight Champion and WEC Lightweight Champion, Benson Henderson. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Overview

John Crouch was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor who taught at a Gracie Academy in Denver, Colorado. [5] Crouch moved to Glendale, Arizona where he and Jason Beck founded MMA lab in 2007. [5] [6] [7]

The most notable fighter produced by the MMA lab is Benson Henderson who became WEC Lightweight Champion as well as UFC Lightweight Champion. [1] [2] [3] [4] [8] When Henderson moved to Arizona, he came across the MMA Lab but had no money. Crouch allowed Henderson to train at the gym for free in exchange for manual labor. Henderson agreed and acted as the gym's janitor where he perform duties such as mopping the floors and cleaning the toilets. [3] [4] Eventually after many years, Henderson became a co-owner of MMA lab along with John Crouch and Joe Ervin. [1] [3] [4] It is speculated that Henderson frequently makes a triangular symbol with his hands to pay homage to the gym. [4]

Other notable fighters who have trained at MMA lab include Joe Riggs (WEC Middleweight Champion), [2] [8] Jamie Varner (WEC Lightweight Champion) [1] [8] and Efrain Escudero (winner of the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter). [2] [8]

Notable fighters

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Finley, Duane. "The MMA Lab on the Rise & Building Champions". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Finley, Duane. "The Fighting Life: The Team Mentality of John Crouch and the MMA Lab". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Al-Shatti, Shaun (2013-04-16). "Benson's Lab". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "It's no conspiracy: Benson Henderson has worked to become one of UFC's best". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  5. 1 2 "John Crouch | BJJ Heroes" . Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  6. ↑ Carlson, Ollie (2020-02-11). "Casey Kenney compares coaches John Crouch and Chris Cariaso to Bill Belichick and Tom Brady". thebodylockmma.com. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  7. ↑ "Gyms Around The World: MMA Lab | Evolve Vacation". evolve-vacation.com. 2016-07-16. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Veteran Joe Riggs credits The MMA Lab for fixing 'own worst enemy' mistakes". MMA Junkie. 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  9. ↑ November 7, Beth Bragg Updated. "Former AFC fighter drops weight and then drops ranked opponent to become a UFC contender". Anchorage Daily News.
  10. ↑ "From high school dropout to rising UFC star, Sean O'Malley found his footing in the fight game". sports.yahoo.com.
  11. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (17 January 2019). "Welcome to the UFC: Mario Bautista". Cageside Press.
  12. ↑ McCarter, Nathan. "TUF Alum Leaves Fans Awestruck After Kick Combo Knockout at LFA 59". Bleacher Report.
  13. ↑ Ordoñez, Milan (2018-05-03). "Mackenzie Dern says MMA Lab coach asked her to leave the team". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  14. 1 2 "Johnny Case says he had no idea what he was getting into when he signed up for Korean Zombie camp | Asian MMA". AsianMMA. 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  15. ↑ "Video: Steven Siler hopes a Titan FC 32 title win tonight could lead to UFC return". MMA Junkie. 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  16. ↑ McElroy, Jordy. "UFC on Fox 10: What We Learned from Sergio Pettis vs. Alex Caceres". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  17. ↑ Kontek, Riley. "UFC 186 Preliminary Card Predictions". Bleacher Report.
  18. ↑ "UFC: Rick Story feels that training in Arizona paid off". The Arizona Republic.
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