Team Oyama recently opened their newest gym in Irvine, CA and Team BodyKore had a chance to drop by and check out the operation. The gym recently relocated just 2 weeks ago but is already in full operation. The gym offers a full cardio room, fight shop, weight room, boxing ring and grappling area. A full size cage and wrestling mats are scheduled to be installed in the next week as well. We came by on a Saturday morning and there were about 30 students in training on what’s usually a day off of training for the rest of us. They were doing sparring drills at the time and you can tell right away that this gym doesn’t mess around. The sparring sessions were in 1 round intervals at full contact and all the students there were game. The infamous coach Colin Oyama was there conducting the training and it’s no wonder why he’s help build so many world champions.
With roots firmly established in Muay Thai, Oyama has been a part of mixed martial arts since its inception. As a high school wrestler and Muay Thai fighter, Oyama’s path as a coach was instinctive because of his natural leadership qualities. He always knew that coaching would give him the ability to help people achieve their goals, both athletically and in life as a whole. Emphasizing both physical and mental strength, his training catapulted a number of fighters to championship levels.
With over a decade of experience in MMA, Oyama is regarded as one of the top coaches primarily because of his ability to nurture talent and bring out the best in every fighter. More than twenty fighters currently train under Team Oyama—most in MMA and the others in Muay Thai. Oyama has trained the likes of UFC champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Tito Ortiz, and Ricco Rodriguez. While his demanding training regimen focuses mostly on fast, hard striking, Oyama requires his fighters be well-rounded. His assistant coaches include high-level, black belt Jiu Jitsu artist, Giva Santana, US and Intercontinental Muay Thai champion, Romie Adanza and world-class strength and conditioning coach, Tyrone Bennett. Currently, Oyama trains rising stars Shane Del Rosario—current WBC Muay Thai Heavyweight kickboxing champion, Robert Emerson- UFC lightweight contender, Bao Quach—Affliction & Strikeforce powerhouse, KOTC fighters Tony Lopez and Slam Weatherspoon as well as up-and-comers Brent Cooper, Chris Koreeda and Carla O’Connell.
More information on the elite gym and about their trainers you can visit their website here. You can also become their fan on Facebook. The gym’s located at 16632 Hale Avenue, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92606. You can reach them at 949-250-3117.
Front Entrance to the gym (Sign hasn’t been installed yet)
Fight Shop
Cardio Room
Weight Room (Still in works)
Grappling Area
Coach Oyama and Bellator Veteran Bao Quach giving instructions
Students waiting in line to get in the ring
Team Oyama Trainer and StrikeForce heavyweight prospect Shane Del Rosario taking a break
Walls of Accomplishment
Fedor Emelianenko autographed Pride Magazine and Gloves
For more pictures click below:
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[...] BodyKore Visits the New Team Oyama Gym in Irvine, CA « BodyKore … [...]
Fantastic article! That gym looks legit! We don’t have too many MMA gyms out here in Houston.
This is my second visit to your blog. We are starting a brand new initiative in the same niche as this blog. Your blog provided us with important information to work with. You have done a marvellous job.
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