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KINGSTON — The exploding popularity of mixed martial arts and Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts is readily apparent at the Black and Blue Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Kingston.
The academy, co-founded and owned by Saugerties native Nolan Dutcher, boasts nearly 100 members at its location in the Kingston Plaza and offers a wide variety of classes in each discipline.
“It all kind of started as a hobby,” Dutcher said. “A friend of mine convinced me to try MMA out and I was hooked right away.”
Dutcher was also entranced by watching Royce Gracie winning bout after bout in UFC battles. It was the David vs. Goliath match-ups that clinched it for him.
“I was impressed with the little 170-pound man beating all the heavyweights,” he said.
Dutcher started with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and worked his way up to brown belt.
His success continued in becoming a professional MMA fighter and 18 times he has been the North American Grappling Association Champion.
He was the No. 1 ranked NoGi and Gi grappler in 2006.
“Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a submission martial art,” Dutcher said. “The Gracies were really the founders and you use moves like choke holds and arm bars until your opponent gives up. It can be taught to anyone.”
Dutcher, in fact, recently began a “Little Bruisers” class for youngsters age four and up. Black and Blue currently has 15 children enrolled in classes. Continued...
In addition to the MMA/UFC training which takes place inside a cage in the gym, Black and Blue also offers classes in jiu jitsu, yoga, kickboxing, boxing, judo, wrestling and kali stickfighting.
“Traditional martial arts are somewhat limited and we’re not as formal as they are,” Dutcher said. “Students stretch and get right to their workout. One similarity is the respect factor for instructors.”
Dutcher said there are 12 instructors at the academy, including co-founder JJ Russo who specializes in jiu jitsu, kali and muay thai (kickboxing).
The two top students at Black and Blue, Steve Edwards and Keith Berish, have already gone professional in their MMA careers.
Berish was a wrestler at Kingston High.
“They are both 1-0 as pros and getting ready for more fights,” he said. “They both have the talent to make it to the top.”
Berish and Edwards are scheduled to fight on Reality Fighting’s next card in April.
“My biggest help to them obviously would be the ground game,” Dutcher said.
“JJ will work mostly on the feet. They will have to use each other for sparring partners because nobody else likes getting punched in the face by either one of them.”
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