The president of Holland College’s mixed martial arts club is planning to grow the club.

            

            Miguel Quevedo teaches three MMA classes a week at the MacMillan Centre for Community Engagement in Charlottetown.

            

            Twenty-three members are registered, with four to seven students attending each class.

            

            Quevedo said members participate consistently and he is happy with the numbers so far.

            

            “It’s good for now because we don’t have a lot of space.”

            

            Since the club’s first class on Nov. 12, Quevedo has been looking to purchase more equipment for his club to expand the number of techniques they can practice.

            

            The class is limited to punch exercises due to a lack of floor mats.

            

            He said the club cannot do kicking exercises because the hardwood floor of the space they use makes it risky to perform them.

            

            “If you throw a kick, it’s very easy for you to slip, so we don’t want any concussions.”

            

            To do these exercises safely, Quevedo needs professional mats that are at least three inches thick.

            

            He needs about $3,500 to buy them.

            

            The Holland College Student Union provides $200 per year for each club.

            

            The marketing student is brainstorming fundraising ideas with club members.

            

            He also plans to reach out to local businesses to see if the club can receive sponsorships from them.

            

            “We’re trying to come up with something.”

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

            

            Despite the limited number of exercises, students have been enjoying the club.

            

            Salil Mathews had been looking into joining an MMA studio off campus when he discovered Quevedo’s club.

            

            The student said the club’s schedule and accessibility encouraged him to sign up.

            

            “This is a free thing (offered) by the college, so I was really happy about that.”

            

            Mathews goes to every class scheduled for the week.

            

            He said the classes helped him develop a consistent exercise routine.

            

            “I feel like it’s good for me physically, and it’s nice to know I’m learning to know how to fight, even though I’m not actually going to fight anyone.”

            

            Quevedo is happy the club has resonated with many students.

            

            He has seen some join with prior experience in similar sports such as boxing and wrestling.

            

            He said he tells his students he does not have all the answers when it comes to fighting and encourages them to learn from others.

            

            “The things that I’m teaching are just the basic building blocks.”

            

            To help students learn more, Quevedo wants to get mats as soon as possible.

            

            Afterward, he will invite professional fighters from other gyms to teach techniques.

            

            He said he has many connections in MMA willing to help, as the sport has a close community in Atlantic Canada.

            

            “The pool is a little smaller, so people tend to know each other.”

            

            Quevedo also wants to grow the club in other ways.

            

            The club president is putting up more posters around campus advertising the club.

            

            He is also considering posting technique videos from classes on the group’s Instagram page.

            

            He encourages people to show up without worrying about their skill and fitness.

            

            “The level doesn’t really matter. As long as you’re open to learning that day, it’ll be fine.”

            

            MMA helped Quevedo make friends and improve his mental health.

            

            He hopes to see the sport have the same impact on the students he teaches.

            

            “I feel like (it) is a thing that will always make your life better.”