For years now, Champion Gym out of Grande Prairie has been one of Alberta's premier MMA training facilities.
In recent years, the emergence of elite-level athletes from this small Northern Alberta community has become increasingly hard to ignore. The gym has developed top-tier professionals who have earned contracts with major promotions alongside promising amateurs who remain eager to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
As the 2019 Canadian MMA National Amateur Championships approaches, three athletes from Champion Gym are preparing for the nine-hour drive south to Lethbridge to compete on behalf of their home gym.
Isaiah Metituk
Isaiah Metituk (5-3) is a featherweight prospect who grew up in Grande Prairie. The jiu-jitsu blue belt enters his final amateur campaign on a one-fight winning streak, and he's determined to leave a lasting mark on his amateur career.
"I see myself going in there and showing I'm number one," Metituk said.
In August 2018, Metituk battled for the XFFC amateur featherweight title at XFFC 19 but fell just short. He views this upcoming competition as a chance for redemption on his road to championship gold.
"I came close in the summer time to capturing gold and this time there's going to be no ifs, ands, or buts. I'm going to put a stamp on it."
Following his last bout in December, Metituk shifted his training priorities toward Nationals. He noted that his sole focus for 2019 is first and foremost Nationals, followed by the IMMAF World Championships later in the year.
Metituk also reflected on Champion Gym's recent success, describing how the facility is performing at peak levels right now.
"Grande Prairie is a small town, but we're a fight town. We're definitely getting the word out that we're going to take over."
While he typically competes at featherweight, Metituk will move down to lightweight for the upcoming Nationals.
Justin Knoepfli
Justin Knoepfli (5-3) isn't new to Nationals, having appeared at the event during the past two editions. He views 2019 as the year he finally captures gold.
"I fell short two years in a row and I'm not leaving without my hand raised this year. I'm going all the way," Knoepfli said.
Though Knoepfli hasn't stepped into the cage since the 2018 Nationals tournament, he's maintained a steady training schedule at the gym, fine-tuning his abilities.
