Miguel Quevedo’s parents always wanted him to play basketball.

            He did his best but was never good at the sport.

            At 18 years old, before he and his family moved from Mexico to California, he made a decision.

            He told his parents he did not want to play basketball anymore. They accepted, with one condition.

           “You’ve got to do something, and not just stay in the house.”

            Quevedo agreed and went to apply for a gym membership to lift weights.

            The weight gym was closed, but a new MMA gym had just opened next to it.

            He decided to check it out.

            “I went to one trial class, got beat up and just fell in love with the sport ever since.”

            Five years later, Quevedo plans to share his passion with his fellow students at Holland College.

            Quevedo, 25, is starting the school’s first ever mixed martial arts (MMA) club to provide an opportunity for students to engage in the sport.

             A striking instructor with a Muay Thai background at Renzo Gracie P.E.I. in Charlottetown, he was inspired to create the club after hearing other Holland College students talk about it.

            “I realized that if I wanted [it], I’ll just have to do it because nobody else knew where to start.”

            Quevedo wanted to see how many would be interested.

            He put flyers on bulletin boards advertising the club, with QR codes leading people to a survey.

            In the first week, three completed it.

            Today, 25 have filled out the form, more than doubling the minimum requirement of 10.

            Quevedo, who plans to teach the MMA club’s classes by himself, said he is happy with the number of signups.

            “I feel like if the classes get any bigger, I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself, so 22 is a good number.”

            On Oct. 11, he submitted all the paperwork he needed to the Holland College Student Union (HCSU).

            He said the club was supposed to be ratified on Oct. 17, but delays prevented it.

            “We’re just waiting at this point.”

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            Mayte Luna, the vice-president of the HCSU, oversees the creation and management of clubs in the college’s campuses.

            She said the delay in the MMA club’s formation was due to the recent election and orientation of new union board members.

            “We couldn’t actually get the club section into the agenda…but it’s one of the first things that’s going to be on the agenda for [this] week.”

            She added club participants must sign a liability waiver preventing the college from being held responsible for injuries received in MMA.

            “They know already that it can get a little bit rough…but [we need] to have it on in any case.”

            Like Quevedo, Luna has also seen the demand for the club.

            The student representative said it is a good idea and trusts Quevedo will make it a safe and respectful environment.

            “It’s the first time it has been done, so we’re going to see how much impact it’s going to have, but I think it has huge potential.”

            Quevedo will start with one class a week at the McMillan Centre for Community Engagement.

            His club is open to anyone. The first few sessions will cover basic techniques and movement exercises.

            He said no hard contact or tournaments will be done until he feels members are ready.

            “The first classes are going to be actually a little boring for anybody that’s a little more experienced.”

            Quevedo’s club also requires little equipment.

            It is entitled to $200 a year from the HCSU, most of which will go toward floor mats.

            The martial artist said students only need to buy gloves, though he has extra pairs he can lend to newcomers.

            “You can get boxing gloves for $20 on Amazon, so it’s not a big investment.”

            While he is pleased with the current number of members, Quevedo knows retaining them will be a challenge.

            He said MMA requires a lot of commitment in both time and money.

           “Everybody wants to be a fighter, but not everybody’s willing to do what you need to do to be a fighter.”

            Despite this, Quevedo is optimistic for the club’s future.

            He has seen how MMA brings people together and creates supportive communities.

            He encourages everyone with an open mind to attend his club and hopes to inspire members with the same principles of teamwork and respect he has learned.

            “That will be the idea, [to] make sure everybody feels accepted and give them a place where they belong.”

Mayte Luna, vice-president of the Holland College Student Union, oversees the development of clubs in the institution. She says the MMA club has a lot of potential to succeed. Blaine Auld photo.