MMA UK was fortunate enough to be invited along to the open day for the new Higher Level gym in Bathgate, Scotland.
When I first walked through the door the first thing I noticed was how busy the mats were, filled with eager students there to take advantage of the free seminars being offered by not 1, but 7 BJJ black belts, which is a rare thing to see.
The first seminar was led by Higher Level head coach James Doolan and at this point, I went upstairs where there is an upper viewing area which offers a great view of the action on the mats.
After taking in some of the seminars, I was given a tour of the new facility. First off, there is a large blue matted area for grappling, behind the grappling area next there is a yellow matted are for striking, complete with heavy bags and everything students will need to improve there stand up skills.
The next thing that catches your eye is the full-size MMA cage, which can only benefit not only the active fight team but any members of the gym who would like to get the feel of being in the cage.
Adding to everything I had already seen the gym is also complete with a media room for the coaches to view fight footage, changing areas complete with showers. The is also two dorm rooms upstairs, which will be fantastic for travelling fighters who come to the gym to sharpen their skills.
There was a lot of buzz in the gym as people got to see the UFC Danny Henry hit pads in the cage with his coach James Doolan. Visitors also got to the chance challenge Danny to a fight in the Octagon, even if it was only on the Xbox.
The gym is a truly modern space, clearly purpose-built for fighters to grow and improve. It is fantastic to see a facility like this in Scotland and shows how far MMA has come along in our small country.
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You can visit Higher Level MMA at 6A – 6B Whitestone Place, Whitehill Industrial Estate, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH48 2EW.
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James Doolan James Nimmy King Danny Henry Jemima Malone Kieran Malone Lee Jaggy Johnstone Steven Ray Calum Murrie Stevie McIntosh Craig Spider-Mop McIntosh Graham Turner Cameron Wright Tom Heffernan Sean Clancy Sean Clancy James Hamilton