A Retired UFC Fighter's Journey From Prison To Opening An MMA Gym In Idaho Falls

Weston Barnes, left, and Luiz Cortez trade blows throughout a coaching session at Group Lionheart MMA in Idaho Falls. Watch a few of the group spar within the video participant above. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS – Opening an MMA health club was by no means Weston Barnes’ plan, however he’s grateful for the chance.

He opened Group Lionheart MMA at 510 2nd Avenue in September. Barnes is a retired UFC fighter and he tells EastIdahoNews.com curiosity within the sport has elevated exponentially since he opened.

“I began doing it out of my storage,” Barnes says. “I used to be simply going to coach youngsters, however as a result of I’m a fighter, individuals began asking ‘Are you able to practice me?’ I wasn’t planning on doing all this at first however … I really like this.”

He began the enterprise along with his associates, Tyson Craig and Luiz Cortez, who additionally battle professionally.

Since opening, he’s acquired about 30 college students whole. He and his companions train a fundamental MMA class and a youngsters class, which focuses on the basics of combating. There’s additionally a girls’s kickboxing class and a battle group, which trains to battle competitively.

“It’s not simply coaching them to battle. It’s instructing them the self-discipline of tips on how to be a fighter,” Barnes says. “I’ve guidelines with my youngsters. In the event that they drop their grades, they’ll’t practice or they’ve to come back and do burpees. In the event that they’re disrespectful to their dad and mom, they should do burpees (as effectively).”

There isn’t any age restrict to enroll. Children as younger as 5 can be taught. The oldest scholar is 65.

Sixteen-year-old Dominic Vedro began taking battle programs a few month in the past. He’s by no means fought competitively however he’s presently coaching with the group in hopes of doing so.

“From the second I walked via the door, these guys handled me like household. I noticed (I’d) have a future as a fighter,” Dominic says. “My final purpose is to turn into the perfect fighter of all time.”

From left: Tyson Craig and Dominic Vedro coaching at Group Lionheart MMA. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Watch Dominic, Craig and Cortez practice within the video participant above.

Barnes’ health club occupies the east facet of the constructing. A lot of the constructing is used as workplace area for different companies. It sat vacant for a few years prior. It was as soon as a Veterans hospital and extra lately served as a seminary constructing for Idaho Falls Excessive Faculty college students.

Barnes has fond reminiscences of this constructing and that’s what impressed him to open a health club on this location.

“That is the place the three of us (Craig and Luiz) met and began coaching collectively,” says Barnes. “It was a bit spot like this simply down the street from right here. Champions got here out of there.”

Barnes fought professionally for about 11 years and received a number of awards. His proudest accomplishment is profitable a battle in Utah a number of years in the past only a few days after his mother handed away.

“I didn’t need to battle (that day), however I (mustered) the braveness to do it and I went in and beat the man (rapidly),” he says. “It felt like my mother was in there with me. It was bizarre.”

A tattoo on his neck symbolizes a guardian angel, which Barnes acquired in reminiscence of his mother.

In some ways, turning into knowledgeable fighter serves as a metaphor for Barnes’ life. He spent 4 years in state jail on housebreaking expenses. He remembers spending plenty of time alone in isolation and committing himself to make higher selections when his sentence was full.

After getting out of jail, he remembers watching an MMA battle along with his cousin and getting immediately hooked.

“I needed to do this,” says Barnes. “I went in there and fought and it was the perfect emotional feeling. It was simply an adrenaline rush and I’ve been in love with it ever since.”

Combating has turn into a wholesome outlet for Barnes, and in spite of everything these years, he says he’s stored the promise he made to himself whereas dwelling behind bars.

“I haven’t even gotten a rushing ticket,” he says.

After sustaining a number of accidents in fights through the years, together with tearing his ACL, he determined to retire final yr. Although he’s a bit worse for the damage, he says he’s glad to move on the talents he’s realized to others.

From left: Tyson Craig, Luiz Cortez, Weston Barnes, Dominic Vedro and others pose for a photograph at Group Lionheart MMA. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Barnes went to highschool with TikTok star Nathan Apodaca (Doggface208), who hosted a fundraiser meet and nice at Group Lionheart in November. Apodaca raised greater than $600 for Barnes’ health club.

Group Lionheart MMA is open 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days per week. To join lessons or be taught extra, visit the Facebook page or name (208) 313-9923.