Warrior Way Martial Arts | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Muay Thai – (248) 960-4884
www.mmafighting.com/2025/1/5/24323275/reborn-from-the-ashes-rickson-gracie-life-parkinson-forgive...?
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Rickson Gracie, the son of Helio Gracie, isn’t afraid of death.
Today felt both exciting and bittersweet as we trained upstairs putting a stamp on the end of Austin’s fight camp for his upcoming UFC fight. I wrote the following post in 2019 after 20 years training, instructing, and coaching martial arts at Warrior Way. Today was likely the last fight camp to be completed at our Old Farm Lane location as we move and expand to a larger space. Looking at Austin, Avan, and Nicholas I said “This is the last camp against the blue wall!” I feel a little nostalgic as we prepare to make a new location the home of Warrior Way and its students. I realize, however, that the most important part of any home is the family you share it with. I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter in our story.The Big Blue Wall
I recently had a brief conversation with Bryan Harper, an old training partner, about the importance of wall work in modern day MMA. We talked about the early days of MMA at Warrior Way and the grueling sessions that took place in our little matted room upstairs. Warrior Way, which is now more than 6500 square feet, was much smaller during the early days and we found it necessary to convert an old loft into an additional training space. A student prepared the space upstairs and the build out began to create cage fencing and a padded wall. That was over 20 years ago, and as our facility has expanded, the space is not used as often as it once was. Yesterday, I had a private lesson and we had just finished mopping the mats downstairs. The mats were still damp when we began the lesson, so the student and I ended up training in this space upstairs. I got a chuckle as we began our lesson because earlier that morning I read two different people on social media referring to the ‘old days’ of Michigan MMA as the years 2012 and 2013. I thought about what I considered the ‘old days’ of MMA and the numerous people who prepared themselves against the big blue wall upstairs at Warrior Way. When I stop to reflect, the list of champions that run through my head is truly astonishing. I can remember the many Saturday afternoons being squished against that wall for what seemed like forever. Now, as we approach an upcoming MMA event in November, and prepare another generation of warriors, I’m looking forward to some hard training upstairs against the big blue wall. Who else remembers the real old days?
16 years and 20+ fight camps, I'm going to miss this facility. It really has been a second home.
Where are you moving to?
I think the lofts high altitude does something to Angelo, he gets nosebleeds A LOT up there.
We used to watch the boys work downstairs, when we rolled up there pre class way back in the day. The boys were just lil tykes, already putting in the work.
Oss!!!!
I remember in the old days when us girls had to train up stairs!
Congratulations to all of our Warrior Way competitors who gave it their all today! Very proud of your hard work and dedication.
Congratulations to all the Warrior Way competitors!
Outstanding!
Climbing the ranks, one rope at a time!
That's great. Higher than I ever got!
Tabitha Anguilm
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