UFC 100 – Memories of Texas

The headline UFC 100 popped up on my computer today, which made me think of Texas.  When I lived in Tyler, Texas I became close friends with Drew and Hong Arthur.  At the time, Drew was a US Marshal and Hong worked for an accounting firm.  Our friendship started when they decided to offer Jui Jitsu classes at the Green Acres Baptist Church.  My wife, kids and myself trained there a several years, while building a friendship with the Arthur’s.  During that time we trained and had many get-together to watch the UFC fights live.  Drew decided to retire from the US Marshal’s and build a gym as a full-time operation.  He found a location, and the work begun.  We helped him tear-out and rebuild the facility to create the nicest MMA Gym in East Texas.  At the time, we were the only gym that actually had an octagon cage in it. (may still be the only one)   The training excelled from there.  The floors fully matted, every kind of punching bag you can think of, and more classes and instructors started to join the Lone Star Mixed Martial Gym.  Times were great and I learned a lot.  However, due to job situations, I decided to move on and join the team in Kansas at Butler Community College, which tuned out to be a great move for me.