Let's Talk Shop with Cummings Combat Sambo

Panama City Beach - A martial arts studio nearly hidden on Allison Avenue has a secret weapon: Head Coach Carlos Cummings, a mixed martial artist known nationwide. People all over the world come to train with cummings for his fighting style.

"It's the future of martial arts," Cummings said. "The 'in' thing is mixed martial arts."

Mixed martial arts has come into the mainstream, drawing young men to watch what can be brutalfights. The techniques take the best of martial arts like taekwondo, jujitsu, judo and aikidoto give fighters an edge. Even yoga can play a part becuase it teaches flexibility for moves like arm bars, he said.

"Ninety percent of fights end up on the ground," Cummings said. "A lot of my guys have been in fights, and a lot of them have won."

Cummings works with adults but will accept a 17-year-old with parental consent. MMA is not something children should learn becuase they might injure themselves or others just showing moves they've learned, Cummings said. The training is intense, but Cummings said he can train anyone, even those who are out of shape. At least one person trains with Cummings one-on-one for physical fitness.

"You're in here to get into shape," Cummings said. "As you get older, you realize your health is important."

Cummings believes martial arts can keep kids out of trouble. The art can teach young adults there are more role models than just those in football. Learning to fight saved him from going down the wrong path, he said.

"My great-grandmother said: 'Be true to yourself'," Cummings said.

Cummings shares space with Richard Higgins, American Martial Arts instructor. They work as a team with Higgins teaching children taekwondo, and Cummings taking on those students who want to take their training further.

While other martial arts studios struggled nationwide the last two years, Cummings and Higgins increased their business by about 6 percent last year over 2008, Higgins said.

The News Herald:
What makes your business unique?

Carlos Cummings:
When we got together, we said 'Why don't we do something new to the area?' There was no mixed martial arts in the area. This is a one-stop shop. We have it all. We're like a team. It's like two things under one roof.

Richard Higgins:
Carlos makes it unique. He's straight forward and a very compassionate individual. You don't find that a lot with guys who teach that kind of stuff. He's top notch and well versed in his art. He's the best I've seen. We're the only professional martial arts studio.