Fight night in Fort Erie draws 200 people to Academix mixed martial arts facility
August 26, 2024 at 4:13 AM
It was fight night in Fort Erie on Friday.
In front of a crowd of about 200 people, 12 mixed martial arts bouts took place as part of an exhibition hosted by Academix Academy, the second event held at the large Garrison Road facility since late June.
About 200 people attended a mixed martial arts exhibition at Academix in Fort Erie on Friday night. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioAcademix has 250 members ranging from four years old to age 65, said owner Dave Shaw, who has been running the show since 2018.
He took over Dayboll-Pascuzzi Jiu-Jitsu that same year from its previous operators.
They were initially located in a smaller space, also on Garrison Road, until they moved into their current headquarters, a site that has 10,000 square feet of training capabilities.
Friday’s showcase took place in an expanded space with a full-sized ring made possible by community supporters such as Peters Construction Group, explained Shaw.
Shaw said the largest demographic within their membership are families.
“We have a lot of families where Mom, Dad, and the kids train,” he said, adding they often train together.
They often see a lot of what he referred to as a “mid-life crisis Dad crew,” he quipped.
It’s also an affordable alternative to the usual sports many young kids grow up playing.
“We enjoy being able to offer something different than the traditional sports like hockey or soccer,” said Shaw.
But “nothing here is philosophical,” said Shaw, adding that the mandate at Academix is building skills to be competitive fighters.
“That’s what we do, teach people how to fight,” he said.
Conor Costello from Burlington and Mike Dusek from St. Catharines, grappling during Friday night’s first fight. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioWhile the majority of individuals who train in various programs are not violent people by nature, he said mixed martial arts can be a way for people to keep on the right path.
“The reality is, once people start to train here, they’re less inclined to get in trouble outside,” said Shaw. “They have the confidence to de-escalate scenarios.”
Academix programs focus on grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, and boxing.
Other exhibitions such as the one held Friday are not currently scheduled, but will be planned in the future, said Shaw.
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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