The Savannah MMA Report

Savannah, GA, Aug. 11, 2008 –

Local teenager, Max Barber of Effingham County Georgia, was victorious in a mixed martial arts event held on August 9th, 2008 in Mobile, Alabama. He faced Jeff White (also 16) in the 170 pound weight class in one of very few mixed martial arts events to allow youth mixed martial arts competition. Max won his fight by referee stoppage after a high roundhouse kick to his opponent’s head. Max’s opponent Jeff White was unable to continue and the referee awarded the Technical Knockout (TKO) victory to Max Barber at 1:14 of the Second Round.

Youth MMA is a new and experimental sport for teenagers and even pre-teen martial artists who compete with both striking and grappling techniques taking place in a match in which the objective is to make your opponent give up, or render them unable to continue with a knockout. Although there is a risk to younger fighters, both boxing and kickboxing matches are sanctioned for age 9 and above and grappling events are sanctioned in which 5 year olds and older are able to compete for position and even submission (Making your opponent give up due to pressure on a join or choke) based finishes. Missouri had previously been the only state to allow youth mixed martial arts, but Alabama joined this list on August 9th by allowing several teen matches to take place, including Max Barber’s match.

The youth rules were modified mixed martial arts rules including kickboxing style standing techniques and wrestling and jiu-jitsu grappling while on the ground. There was no striking whatsoever to a downed opponent and all athletes were required to wear protective headgear, gloves, mouth piece, athletic support, and shin padding. All matches were refereed by a professional and licensed official who stopped the matches before any serious injury could take place.

For official youth rules and regulations, visit: http://www.americanamma.org/jrdivisionpack.pdf

About Savannah MMA

Savannah MMA is a group of mixed martial arts fighters, trainers, coaches, and athletes that train and compete in Savannah, GA as well as abroad. Most competitions are located in the southeast and include mixed martial arts competitions as well as grappling tournaments, and boxing/kickboxing events. The Savannah MMA team currently trains at Savannah Martial Arts Academy at 904 East 70th Street in Savannah GA and consists of men, women, and youth students.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am and is filed under Fight Reviews, MMA and BJJ Competitions and Events, School News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.