Matt “The Immortal” Brown in the House!
Matt Brown led a fantastic MMA seminar at GRIT MMA on June 7th. The knowledge and philosophy conveyed to participants was immeasurable!
Professionally competing from 2004 to 2023, Matt “The Immortal” Brown holds numerous UFC records including 2nd most knockouts in UFC history and the most welterweight division finishes. He fought with relentless pressure, durability, and a never-quit mindset.
Renowned for his aggressive style and unforgettable comebacks, he is a fan favorite– a symbol of toughness in the sport. GRIT MMA plans to have Matt return for another seminar at a future date!
Stacking Them Up
Head Coach Carson Frei dominates his way to another first round finish in the WFC190’s April 25th Main Event at the Emeral Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington! Click here for fight video.
GRIT Fighters Succeed in Idaho
Oleg Shyshko got a first round MMA finish at the Clearwater Combat Fights at Clearwater River Casino and Lodge, Lewiston, Idaho on April 18. Brendan Youngblood’s hard fought kickboxing match ended in a tie. Eleven gym members and friends traveled to Idaho with the fighters to attend the fights! For fight highlights, see our Instagram page @grit_mma.
First Time on the Podium
GRIT Member Devin McFarland earned his first time on the podium on March 16 at a Jiu Jitsu tournament hosted by Subleague at Camp Withycombe, Clackamas, Oregon. Congratulations Devin for your second place win by submission!
59 Seconds
GRIT MMA Head Coach Carson Frei accepted a short notice fight on March 7 and finished with a TKO with in the first 59 seconds of round one! Carson was on the main card at the WFC187 held at the Ilani Casino & Resort, Ridgefield, Washington.
Thanks to World Fighting Championships for hosting the fights and providing photos of the event, Roman Athletics for setting up the fight, GRIT Coach Joey Walker for cornering the fight, and all members and fans that supported Carson.
Gym Members Level Up
GRIT MMA members achieved new belts through the gym’s affiliation with Piranha Grappling Systems!
Xtreme Couture Head Coach Dennis Davis was at GRIT to test for the belts following an MMA Seminar on February 28, 2028! Sixteen people attended the seminar. Ten people were awarded belts.
Congratulations everyone for your dedication and work to improve your skills!
L to R: Xander Polvorosa (white striped), Devin McFarland (blue), Walter Dimm, (blue) Joey Walker (blue), Xtreme Couture Head Coach Dennis Davis, GRIT MMA Head Coach Carson Frei (brown), Oleg Shyshko, (blue) Alex Castaneda (blue), Mike Hudson (white striped), Angelo Polvorosa (white striped), and James Swyter (not shown awarded blue).
A Wild First Round Finish
Coach Carson Frei took a fight on short notice! Carson earned a FIRST round FINISH at WFC 182, Emerald Queen Casino & Resort in Tacoma, Washington on October 25th. He is now the WFC Welterweight champ!
Dominating the Cage
Brenden Youngblood made GRIT MMA proud with his dominate kickboxing performance on October 24th earning his 2nd TKO in the FIRST round!
A Stud Performance
GRIT’s Brenden Youngblood finished with a TKO in the 3rd round in his kickboxing debut at Northwest Championships Saturday Night on September 13 in Vancouver, WA! Check out grit_mma for fight highlights!
With Style Points
Joey Walker finished his MMA professional debut in the first round with a TKO at Clearwater Combat’s April 19th event hosted at the Clearwater River Casino & Resort, Lewiston, Idaho on April 19th.
Another First Round Finish
GRIT MMA Head Coach Carson Frei got a first-round submission in the main event at the first every MMA show held at the Ilani, Ridgefield, WA on February 8th! “Thanks to WFC Fights for having me and a big shoutout to my friends and family at GRIT MMA. I love what we are building. Martial arts has been my passion since I was a little kid and running my own space with the GRIT family has been the highlight of all of it.”
Carson gave a shout out to Roman Athletic Institution, training partner Joey Walker, corner man Damen Wood, and Dennis Davis with Piranha Grappling Systems. GRIT became a Piranha Grappling Systems affiliate in January; Frei used a Piranha technique to get the fight submission.
GRIT’s impact and transformation on my life!
We are approaching one year of my son Xander and I being students of Coach Carson. I believe the pictures say much more than I can say. Collecting these pictures was not only an honor but an experience I’m grateful. My son Xander’s confidence, discipline, respectfulness, and character has been increased. The coach is now responsible along with Xander’s mom and I for shaping the man he’s becoming.
In the last year of training twice a week at GRIT MMA, I have shed over 80 pounds. This also involved eating better and taking a new medication for my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis disorder. This genetic disease actually made GRIT MMA’s contribution more critical. If my condition was left untreated, weight loss would have been near impossible. My training at GRIT MMA leveled the playing field! Thank you GRIT MMA Member Angelo Polvorosa for sharing your experience!
Walter Dimm snags his second MMA victory!
GRIT Member Walter Dimm came home with Clearwater Combat’s Super Heavyweight Amateur Title belt. Dimm finished a hard-fought fight in the 3rd round with a TKO in Lewiston, Idaho at the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge on November 16th. Dimm is an undefeated amateur.
Head Coach Carson Frei gets another TKO!
Head Coach Carson Frei traveled to Montana after taking a 10-day short notice fight to compete for the Nxt Generation Fight League (NGFL) lightweight belt at the Butte Civic Center on October 26. Carson secured a round-one TKO.
Walter Dimm gets a first-round finish!
Walter Dimm won by TKO with one minute and 27 seconds into the first round of his heavy weight boxing bout at Northwest Championship, Vancouver, Washington on September 14! Walter is 3-0.
Walter is pictured with his parents, Neil and Ellen Dimm after the fight.
GRIT members and friends gathered after Dimm’s win. It was a great team turnout.
GRIT Coach Joey Walker was scheduled to compete for the 165-pound kickboxing championship. His opponent pulled out on the day of the fight.
TKO in 30 seconds!
Head Coach Carson Frei got the TKO in the first 30-seconds of round one in the co-main event of the WXC94 Summer Assault promotion hosted in Southgate, Michigan on July 19th. A spinning back fist and a knee to the liver were key to his success against a PFL veteran and District 1 College Wrestler. For more detail, see WXC.
Three GRIT Fighters! Three GREAT Finishes!
GRIT went 3-0! Super Heavyweight Walter Dimm won the Clearwater Combat amateur belt with a 30-second knockout. Jon Snyder got a second round TKO in his welterweight amateur debut. Jake Hickey finished the sweep with a first-round choke becoming the amateur Featherweight Champ at the Clearwater River Casino, Lewiston, Idaho on April 27th. For fight highlights, click here.
Head Coach Carson Dominates the Cage!
On April 13, Carson Frei jumped a weight class and competed as an MMA welterweight winning by unanimous decision in the Empire Fight Series2 co-main event in Mt. Orab, Ohio! His game strategy of rushing for a take-down to continue with major “ground and pound” was highly effective against his 6’3″ opponent. Coach Damen Wood cornered. Check out our Instagram page for fight highlights.
Jon Snyder Wins His Kickboxing Debut!
Jonathan Snyder won his first kickboxing match at Northwest Championships in Vancouver, Washington on February 24th. Congratulations Jon!
Jake Hickey Captures Featherweight Title!
January 29, 2024: GRIT MMA’s Jake Hickey won Arena Wars Featherweight Championship with a rear-naked choke submission. Jake had a dominant fight and secured the victory in the last 10 seconds of the first round of action after taking his opponent to the ground and punishing with ground and pound before the rear naked choke submission. Jake adds one more to his impressive record. See GRIT’s Instagram or Facebook for more detail and videos.
Walter Dimm TKOs Opponent
December 2, 2024: Amateur Heavyweight Walter Dimm makes a statement with his second dominant win by TKO in the second round at Northwest Championships, Vancouver, Washington. Walter creates excitement whenever he’s in the cage. His next fight is on the calendar at Northwest Championships on February 24, 2024. Check him out on our social media posts.
Meet GRIT Member Devin McFarland
Devin works hard in the gym, faithfully attending as many classes as he can including kickboxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, and Grappling. He is early to class and late leaving. He frequently assists with our youth classes. He’s a gym inspiration!
Muay Thai with Joey
Interested in Muay Thai? GRIT MMA’s Muay Thai classes with Joey Walker have taken off. Classes are every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 6:30 am – 7:30 am. These beginner/intermediate classes are for adults interested in fitness and/or honing Muay Thai skills. The mornings provide time options at the gym. Members can mix and match classes they take based on their interest and personal schedule. Joey has trained under Coach Carson Frei since 2015. Under the GRIT system, Joey has perfected his skills through dedication and discipline. As a competitor, Joey is a fan favorite.
