New MMA facility opens in Dallas

For I
Octagon Opens in Dallas – The Gym for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Fitness, and Personal Training

“Conquer Life”

DALLAS–(January 2009)–There’s a new gym in Dallas, and it is the area’s only facility that offers complete training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Octagon has also been chosen by Rodrigo Nogueira as his Southwest base of operations for Team Nogueira. Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira is the first fighter to ever hold both the UFC and PRIDE FC heavyweight championships. He also operates an MMA gym in Miami.

Owned by Dr. Greg Seal, one of Dallas’ most respected specialty dentists, and a black belt in jiu-jitsu himself, Octagon is a community of people dedicated to building strength, confidence, and empowerment for all clients. Whether they are training in MMA or working on personal fitness.

Octagon has more black belts teaching than any other facility in the Southwest. The name comes from the ring, or cage, where ultimate fighting competitions are held.

“I wanted to create a place where everyone would feel comfortable. Where black belts can train, people interested in learning MMA could learn, and those wanting to get fit could come and get the best personal training and have access to the latest equipment available anywhere. Everyone working to gain strength, develop skills, and build confidence,” Dr. Seal said. “It’s as much about building camaraderie, and a sense of community as it is about building a great facility.”

Dr. Seal got into MMA when his physician talked to him about the importance of varying movements during exercise. “I always exercised and played sports in college, but mostly I rode a bike and lifted weights. My doctor told me that as you get older, if you don’t keep your neuron paths open by varied movements, they change. All exercise should involve multiple body movements. I got into jiu-jitsu about 10 years ago, training with Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Carlos Machado, and my interest evolved into Mixed Martial Arts.”

When asked to explain Mixed Martial Arts, Dr. Seal says, “It’s very simple. It means a mixture of martial arts, mostly now people say MMA. It evolved out of competitions. The jiu-jitsu fighters kept winning the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) competitions, so they changed the rules to allow a combination of martial arts to be used. It’s a relatively new terminology – about five years old. MMA helps keep you youthful; it’s a very engaging sport. Like chess, it’s physical and mental, for every move there is a counter move, and you have to learn the movements, like chess. You’re always learning, you develop strength, cardio vascular endurance, flexibility, and fluid body movement.”

Octagon offers training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (gi and no gi), boxing, kick-boxing, Muay Thai, judo for men and women who want to fight in competitions, and also for those that are looking for the fitness, confidence and skills that come with learning MMA. A special 10-week program is available, as well as special women’s defense training, children’s MMA for kids 5-9 and 10-16. Personal training and private instruction are also available.

“It’s about transforming your life,” Dr. Seal says. “For men, women, children, anyone, it’s about feeling strong, confident, healthy and happy. That’s why we say ‘Conquer Life’ at Octagon.”

Octagon is located at 4152 Cole Ave. (at Fitzhugh), Suite 104, Dallas, Texas, 75204 214-521-OMMA (6662) www.octagonmma.com for more information.