Former MMA champion teaching youngsters to fight
beating your opponent to a pulp.
Gibson’s MMA injuries have included a broken thumb and torn cartilage in his knee. He’s needed 12 surgical procedures, but has never shed a drop of blood fighting. The now 40-year-old swears by the sport and encourages children to take it up.
‘‘I’m going to the grave with a body that has been through highs, lows and good old-fashioned hard work and usage – it’s nothing a bit of rehab and . . . determination won’t continue to fix.’’
Gibson holds MMA classes for youth at Christchurch’s My First Gym branch, where he teaches children important ‘‘life skills’’ and self defence. The classes are not held in the UFC-style cage, but he encourages children to aim for the Korey Gibson top level of the sport.
‘‘It is always a question that is brought up in terms of mixed martial arts and cage fighting . . . Once the kids get to a certain age, they will then decide which pathway they want to take. A lot of it is just about self-defence and confidence.
‘‘I love looking after kids and I think it is really important they know how to look after themselves and their friends as well.’’
MMA has evolved from organised brawls to become one the fastestgrowing sports in the world, mainly due to the popularity of the UFC, which was founded in Denver in 1993 and is now worth about $4 billion.