PowerHouse MMA

UMMAXX takes an inside look at one of the rising powers in Ohio MMA

 

 

NE Ohio has been a hotbed for Mixed Martial arts fighters and events. This may be a credit to the

 

strong wrestling background in the State of Ohio, particularly the “factory” of wrestling dominance that

 

exists at the High School and Collegiate level.

 

 

 

Others will point to the number of events that Ohio puts on each year, which still ranks among the tops

 

in the country. Every weekend there seems to be more than one option for the Mixed Martial Arts fan to attend, whether it

 

exists on the local or national level.

 

 

With so many options, MMA schools like Strong Style, Griffonrawl, and Evolve seemingly role off the tongue as some of the

 

gyms where the best fighters are born.

 

 

Well, you can add another name to that list; Powerhouse MMA.

 

 

“Powerhouse is really involved on a National Level with MMA”, says Powerhouse Gym Owner John E. Dixon II. “They have

 

a Lion’s Den inside the Las Vegas Powerhouse, which is run by Ken Shamrock and they’re involved with MMA quite a bit.”

 

 

While “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” might not be entering a NE Ohio cage anytime soon, members of Team

 

Powerhouse MMA have and are already begun to make their mark.

 

 

“We train together and are a solid team, everybody knows a little bit about MMA,” boasts unofficial team captain Jason

 

Robinette. “Our team record speaks for itself and overall we stick together as a squad and that’s where our strength is.”

 

 

Robinette, a former high school wrestler, is 2-0 in his amateur MMA career, his last win coming in just 43 seconds.

 

Powerhouse also claims several of NE Ohio’s best up and comers, including Dominque Thompson (1-1), Ceasare Gray (4-

 

0), Paul Troutman (2-2) and Dominic Jones (4-3).

 

 

The team trains at Powerhouse Gym in Elyria, sparring and grappling among worn down wrestling mats and historical

 

landmarks. Powerhouse Gym Owner Dixon is the middle of a renovation process for the fitness center and recently just

 

opened a second Powerhouse location in North Olmstead.

 

 

“Powerhouse is a home away from home” says amateur Dominic Jones. “It’s basically a big family up here.”

 

 

For Jones he was convinced by a friend to come work out MMA after wrestling at Amherst. That was

 

not the same type ofexperience for Troutman , who loved UFC growing up, but had never wrestled

 

prior to joining Powerhouse.

 

 

“When I first walked up here I didn’t know anything about wrestling, but since joining it has been a complete 180,” adds

 

Troutman. “These guys are more than teammates, they are my brothers and they push me every day.”

 

 

Some of Powerhouse’s success also has to do with the importance of family and a “brotherhood”. Troutman is a family man

 

and brings that with him to the cage. “Sometimes I have to tell my fiancé to not be so loud because I hear her instead of my

 

corner man”.

 

 

This may be the most unique thing about Powerhouse MMA. While other gyms boast individuals or talk about “team

 

mentality”, Powerhouse lives it.

 

 

“In MMA, there are so many different facets to the game,” according to Robinette. “You are only as good as your team.”

 

 

Some of the members of Team Powerhouse will be competing in relatively short order. Troutman, who has competed in two

 

title fights before, will fight Chuck Shilling (6-2) at UMMAXX 10 “Collision Course” on March 27th. Schilling has won six of his

 

past seven fights.

 

 

Also featured from Team Powerhouse will be Dominque Thompson vs Bob Hopkins (1-1).

 

 

You wouldn’t call it Thanksgiving Dinner. It’s Just another “family” gathering for the guys from Team Powerhouse.