Intensity MMA & Fitness celebrates their Grand Opening
During Saturday’s Grand Opening celebration of the new Intensity MMA & Fitness Center in South San Diego, pro boxer Pablo Armenta and USA National Champion Genaro Gamez put on a sparring demonstration. (l to r) Intensity MMA’s co-owner Jonathan Albarran, Pablo Armenta, referee Enrique Jaimes Eleno, Genaro Gamez and co-owner Robert Aldama.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
How does that saying go? “And a good time was had by all.” When the owners, Jonathan Albarran, and Robert Aldama threw their Grand Opening celebration for the Intensity MMA and Fitness Center on Saturday, they pulled out all the stops. The event featured raffles, one of those bouncy castles for the kids, sparring exhibitions (boxing and Muay Thai) between serious competitors, tasty appetizers from Jorge Hernandez of California Comfort Food, music and of course more than a few special guests, a regular who’s who from the world of Boxing, MMA and MuayThai.
With their dedicated staff of professionals, (they’d have to be dedicated to open their doors at 5:00 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.), they’ll be teaching the Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Boxing, kids and ladies’ self defense, strength and conditioning, plus a host of cardio workouts.
Their list of instructors is impressive: Luis Lorenzo and Andy Ceja (Boxing), Kru Sommai Ekyotin, the former Lumpini Stadium Muay Thai Champion from Thailand, MMA pro Gary Padilla for MMA & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, plus Robert Aldama for Striking, Muay Thai & American kickboxing.
Without further ado, here are a few of the photos taken Saturday which speak volumes for the enthusiasm of the neighborhood, the families that will be benefitting from the new fitness center.
(top) Kru Eddie Loco was on hand to sample the tasty appetizers offered by Jorge Hernandez of California Comfort Food. (bottom right) Muscle Pharm representative Laura Kopel stands next to the gym’s marketing director Sky Andren. Kopel was on hand to talk about her company’s supplements for bodybuilders, powerlifters and fighters. All photos: J. Wyatt
(top) Pound4Pound Boxing Team which includes Lambert Arias, Juan “El Tigre” Padilla, Brenton Perez, J. R. Wong, Jasmine Mosqueda, Eric Puente, Talo Wong, Simi “Super Fly” Makihele, Shenoa Makihele, Sio Makihele, Leo Cruz, Elijah Fesili, plus coaches Ivan Puente, Sio Makihele and Michael J. Figueroa traveled all the way from Oceanside to perform. (bottom) Angie “La Diablita” Martinez (r) sparred with Heidy Cardenas (l).
The big guy in the white shirt is former Marine Corps Captain Carlos Kremer (now announcer, show host for Epic Fighting and owner of Kremer Insurance). He couldn’t wait to meet all the celebrities from the fighting sports. (top) Kremer stands between Kru Sommai Ekyotin former Thai Champion (l) and former fighter, now gym co-owner, Robert Aldama. (below left) he’s with USA Amateur Champion Genaro Gamez (r) he’s standing next to Sky Andren (left) and present day pro Muay Thai fighter John Vargas (center).
