With the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts on the rise, training centers all across America are popping up to take advantage of this most recent craze.

Gordon County has its own training facility, named Team Hammerhouse, which kicked into gear about three months ago.

Team Hammerhouse is owned and operated by a familiar face in the community, Dale Williams, who has taught youth wrestling in conjunction with several organizations including high schools and was a multi-sport star athlete and graduate of Calhoun High School.

“I have been coaching wrestling for about 10 years starting with kids who were around five years old,” said Williams. “I traveled all over the country with this group of kids, including going to Nationals, World Championships and State Championships in Atlanta.

Williams’ travel team won five state championships as a team, competing against 5-A schools. He competed in FCI Wrestling, which is a different branch than USA Wrestling, and was their national coach for four years as part of Team Georgia. He is also a Bronze Certified Coach for USA Wrestling.

About one year ago, Williams met another local, Scott White, and put together the current training facility which is located off Newtown Road. Williams is the head wrestling coach and White is the head Jiu-Jitsu/MMA coach.

White currently holds a Third Degree Black Belt in Japanese Jiu-jitsu, a Second Degree Black Belt in Kung fu and a Level Six Purple Belt in Hayastan Ju-Jitsu. He is a certified instructor for the American Federation of Ju-Jitsu and Goker Chivichyan and Gene Le’Bell Hayastan Academy.

The current facility, which Williams and White recently moved into, is a work in progress, but White hopes to work on it to make it look good for the community.

For the wrestling program, Williams wants to establish a great youth program that will be beneficial for the schools and the community. “Wrestling for all ages,” he said.

Helping teach wrestling at the training facility will be assistant instructors Bubba Martin, Brent Williams, Chris Worley and Austin Williams.

Team Hammerhouse will also be offering youth and adult Jiu-Jitsu, Maui-Tai, self defense classes, and speed, agility and strength training classes.

Helping to teach the Jiu-Jitsu classes will be assistant instructor Jake Hall.

Fees can be on a monthly basis but clients can also sign up for six month or year-long programs. “It will be up to whatever they want to do,” said Williams. Clients will also be able to mix the type of classes they are taking.

Jiu-Jitsu classes are currently going on Monday-Thursday from 5- 8 p.m. Once wrestling season starts up, classes will be held Monday and Thursdays from 7:15-9 p.m. Currently, wrestling classes are being held on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Members will have the opportunity to compete in several tournaments.

For more information on Team Hammerhouse contact Williams at 678-986-2271 or White at 706-271-8278.

Team Hammerhouse competes

Members of Team Hammerhouse recently competed in the 2009 Gladiator Open, a Jiu-Jitsu tournament held in Rome.

Competing in the tourney was Cooper Pasley, Gant Smith, Dean Gordon, Hall, Martin and White.

Martin finished first in the 135-pound division. Gordon placed second at 185. Both Pasley and Smith (145) placed third. Pasley, a 13 year old, competed in the 17 year old division.