GRAPPLING & BJJ CLUB TUNE THEIR TECHNIQUES

         The casual UFC fan loves nothing more than to see a good knockout, but a hardcore mixed martial arts (mma) fan can appreciate the chess match that happens on the ground or up against the cage as two skilled fighters armed with techniques like the darce coke, arm bar and omo plata go at it.

       The members of the Georgia State Grappling and BJJ (Brazilian Ju-jitsu) Club fall into the later category, but their fandom doesn't end when the TV shuts off. This group of gentleman attempt to hit the martial arts room of the rec center anytime it is available for a chance to train.

     Upon entering the martial arts room, one might expect to find some angry GSU student kicking a Bob XL training doll in the face. But with the grappling club you are more likely to find two calm individuals sparring or "rolling" as some call it.

      You can almost see the calculated thought written on competitors' faces as they test each other's abilities. They constantly make adjustments, trying to jockey for better positioning as they both attack and protect themselves from submissions.

The club meets regularly every week to work on techniques from mma, bjj, wrestling, judo and many other fighting disciplines.

     Eric Heegaard, who helps lead the club in training along with club president Matt Bogenberger, said he has been fighting his whole life and he has a giant box full of medals, plaques and pictures to support this claim.

"I was born in Detroit with two older brothers," Heegaard said. "So I always tell people, I never chose to fight. I chose to win."

      Heegard began wrestling in the seventh grade and has been training, competing  and teaching in a number of disciplines for years. He said that the combination of different experiences and different levels of previous training keeps the club interesting.

       "Grappling Club is awesome because we get a great mixture," Heegaard said. "From people that have never done it to people who have done it for years. We get wrestlers, grapplers, ju-jitsu and judo guys.  It's kind of an open learning forum for everyone."

       Some people join the club as a way to stay in shape as they prepare for competitions. Others, like Scott Stinson, participate because it is simply something they love to do.

      Even if you don't compete it will give you confidence in defending yourself," Stinson said. "It can help your confidence level and help you stay in shape. I love everything about it."

       The fans of mma and the combat sports that it consists of all have their own reasons for adoring the sport. Grappling club member, Junior Daniel Levi is no exception.

      "You can go anywhere around the world," Levi said. "You hit someone in the face—I don't care who you are. It means something right there, right then. So with that being said, that's why I like this sport because it is the ultimate and most pure form of competition."

      Information about participating with the club can be found by visiting the "Grappling and BJJ Club at GSU" facebook group page.