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  • Alen ‘M1’ Mulahmetovic is the Martial Artist of the Month!

    General

    “And newwwww!!! MMA Bantamweight Champion….Alen….M1…Mulahmetovic!!!”

    The crowd went estatic as M1 jumped to the top of the cage and let out a giant celebratory war cry. It was a crowning moment for Alen and Straight Blast Gym Buford, bringing home our first ever professional MMA title. As he hopped down from the cage, the 135lb title was strapped around his waist while M1’s face showed joy, fatigue, and relief. He had done it. After 6 years of hard work and unmatched dedication towards becoming a Mixed Martial Arts champion, M1 reached the top of his division. Coach Phillipe offered these post fight comments:

     

    “I am so proud of that guy. Over the years he’s trusted the process of myself and Straight Blast Gym Buford. Even if he didn’t completely understand the reasoning behind some of my decisions regarding training and preperation, he never waivered or quit. He just kept showing up and putting in work. Seeing him in this moment is something I will never forget.”

     

    Watch his title announcement right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzqd3Vu2NiI

     

    Such is the work ethic of M1. Any one of his training partners at Straight Blast Gym Buford, whether it be in Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Strength and Conditioning, or Muay Thai Kickboxing, will tell you that he is a grinder who will show up, day after day, and give it his all. Sean Coleman, one of his longtime training partners added this:

     

    Jiu Jitsu, BJJ

    “We’ve been doing this together for a long time now. I’ve called him a lot of things..training partner, friend, butthead…but now I get to call him champ!”

     

    It’s been a big start to the year for M1, receiving his brown belt in Jiu Jitsu and then winning his first professional MMA title. While talent is certainly a weapon in his repertoire, there is no doubt that hard work and dedication is M1’s biggest asset. Awesome job M1!

    Jim Sheppard

    is one of the co-owners of Straight Blast Gym Buford and Straight Blast Gym Atlanta. He has been training / coaching / competing in Muay Thai since 2013 and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.