When one hears the words “Miletich Fighting Systems” what usually comes to mind are the incredibly talented athletes at this, the world’s most successful MMA gym. Such talent however is not limited to just the professional fighters. Trainers Jon-Michael Graham and Gregg Humphreys (instructors at MFS for 11 years and 7 years respectively) have also built an impressive kids’ program at the MFS camp.

With so much experience in running junior MMA classes over the years, it’s no wonder Jon-Michael and Gregg get smirks on their faces when it is brought to their attention that teaching children mixed martial arts is now ‘the cool thing to do’.

For this interview, Jon-Michael takes a break at the gym in Bettendorf, Iowa, to talk with knucklepit.com, before running his next class. As well as being one of Pat Miletich’s longest standing trainers here, Jon-Michael also manages the fitness half of the gym.

Graham originally became involved in the fighting arts when he was about nine years old: “I started taking classes with my father when Pat was just starting out in competition – he wasn’t nearly as big as he is now. My dad dropped out after a little while due to an injury. I stuck with it and got a couple of blackbelts through Pat, and commenced teaching for him when I was about 14 years.”

Jon-Michael Graham watches on students Kaitlyn and Anna work striking

Now approaching 25, Graham already has nearly 11 years of teaching experience at MFS under his belt. And like Miletich, Graham also started out in Shorei-Ryu karate. After progressing quickly with his training, Jon-Michael then elected to compete in karate tournaments, which earned him a great deal of success and encouraged him to study kickboxing and jiu jitsu with Pat.

 “When you are young, it is great going to karate tournaments and winning trophies, but as you get older you can start to see the politics of tournaments. You also realize that throwing punches from your waist in katas isn’t really going to help if you need to defend yourself.”

Although Graham used to teach the Shorei-Ryu style of karate at MFS, he now focuses on instructing students – junior and senior – in kickboxing and general self-defense. And the classes can also be challenging for adults. “There are quite a few adults who take the advanced class that I teach. Actually, I’ve had an adult or two run out of the room after getting sick from class.”

Jon-Michael Graham shows how to pivit the front foot when throwing a lead hook

Jon-Michael, with the junior classes, is it mainly for self-defense that they’re taking your classes, or is Pat looking at bringing through a whole new generation of MMA athletes?

“It is primarily for self-defense, but there are a number of kids who are stand-outs in the kickboxing classes I take, and a lot of them have the dream of fighting for MFS when they get old enough. Generally those guys are between 12 and 14 years. And its not just the boys who want to fight.”

What do the lessons involve?

“The classes mainly focus on stand-up techniques, and at the end of class there is usually some type functional fitness exercises that the students do. It’s important to get the kids working hard in class with the lack of exercise today’s youth seem to be getting. The kids in class love to work out with our Thai pads and suitcase pads. They have no problem working hard when they are having fun doing it.”

What is the connection between the kickboxing and the judo classes?

“A good number of kickboxing students I teach also attend judo classes regularly. The two classes seem to compliment each other well, giving the students a good mixed martial arts base.”

I heard the TV program 60 Minutes shot over an hour’s footage of your teaching the up-and-coming Miletich kids. Will we get to see that?

“I don’t believe so: They ended up editing it out of the footage that has been aired thus far. We were really hoping that the kids would make it on the show. But when the IFL was here, three kids (Dalton Kettering, Kirsten Kettering, and Dakota Sexton) were honored before the event for being outstanding students - both in my classes and at school. They got the chance to get up in the ring and were all given certificates for their great accomplishments so far.”

Also within the MFS is the Dynamo Judo Club, which started 30 years ago, and teamed up with MFS in the last seven years. It’s head instructor Gregg Humphreys is known to run the most dominant judo program in the area. His extensive background in martial arts has racked up 36 years of training, and earned Gregg a 4th degree blackbelt in judo. He is currently preparing to make his 10th trip to Russia this spring to further his sambo training.

Gregg Humphreys with assistant Kevin, showing the judo class a "shrimp" drill

[Jon-Michael has to take another class, so Gregg Humphreys joins us to answer a few questions for knucklepit.com about the Dynamo Judo program].

“The Dynamo Judo program at MFS is designed for children ages 5-15, emphasizing in discipline, fun, and personal responsibility. I encourage the kids to train in other combat sports (i.e. kick boxing, wrestling). In the grappling class we are judo/sambo based, but we also include elements of BJJ and wrestling,” says Humphreys.

“Taking safety into account, I first teach students how to fall properly without injury. After a student is comfortable with falling, throws, takedowns and grappling are introduced. At age eleven we introduce chokes and strangles, and at 14 years we begin with arm and leg locks.”

Gregg, how can people contact you and Jon-Michael about attending your classes?