UNICA MMA - Morehead Kentucky

Bluegrass MMA got a chance to get out and visit with a great local MMA gym right in the middle of our hometown. The gym is under the direction of a Carlson Gracie Jr / Mike O'Donnell Brown Belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu Steve Armentrout. UNICA MMA is on Main Street in the heart of Morehead. Twelve guys were in the gym and were working on their BJJ. Some of the guys are MMA fighters and some were there to just learn.

A short while into the session it was clear that these guys had a good grasp of what was going on and there was very little instruction but more practicing of the art. Everyone was on the mat working hard and it didn't take long for the sweat to start pouring. Steve got on the mat and was showing some technique and how it applied to the fundamentals that he had obviously taught them.

To see how the guys worked and trained was one thing but what stood out more than that was the way they handled themselves. I have been around sports my whole life and involved as a player for a long time. There are certain aspects of being a male athlete that come with the territory. You have guys that are good at what they do and let everyone know it. You have guys that are loud and cocky and sometimes there are guys that don't talk at all but exude that swagger that they are better than most. Not here, not at UNICA. All of the guys were humble and very receptive to direction. It was not the testosterone filled gym that I had somewhat suspected. When we talked with the guys they were very polite and took the time to thank us for coming. We talked shop and asked a few questions but felt very welcome there.

As for the Head Instructor, commonly referred to as Fat Steve, he was the thread that brought all of the guys together. Through his instruction and own knowledge of BJJ it was clear he had the best interest of the students at heart. He wants to see them succeed and grow in the sport. I got the impression that he is very demanding of his students but asks nothing of them that he would not do himself. He also serves as their corner man in fights and helps them book shows. He is from Columbus, OH so coming to Morehead it had to be a culture shock for him. His timing was great though, my whole life I always heard that we were 20 years behind everyone else. He is in on the ground level of building a great product in Eastern Kentucky and by the attitude he shows it should not be hard for him or the students there now to be very successful down the road.

Unica MMA offers a free week of classes for those wanting to try it out. You can contact Steve Armentrout at 606-776-2081