Garrett Bennett
Garrett Bennett is a former Pro-MMA Fighter that is local to Idyllwild and now leading the MMA courses under “True MMA” at IDY Hot Yoga.
Garrett is a highly decorated fighter, a former Pro-MMA Fighter, World Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, Boxer, Collegiate Wrestler, Muay Thai Fighter and voted as a Top MMA coach in Texas, training and working with fighters from all over the world in UFC, Bellator, Pride, King of Kombat, Art of War and other pro/amateur venues.
Garrett has decided to bring the world of MMA locally to Idyllwild, to help all ages learn how to defend themselves, gain confidence, respect and integrity that is ingrained from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to all specialties leading to MMA.
To Garrett, MMA is something special and close to him and has positively changed his life in all aspects from personal, business to work ethic and who he is. In all his experience, the respect, confidence and positive changes seen in every student is something important to him.
The ability to share the knowledge, and to create a family friendly environment is at his core. The experience of training the top men and women in MMA has created an understanding to all students that you cannot judge a book by the cover, it does not matter your background or profession. MMA brings equality for every person to defeat an opponent no matter your size or background, male or female, by using strategy, intelligence, and learning this physical game of chess.
Over his career, Garrett has been a Guest Speaker at many schools to motivate and educate students, worked with kids programs to help those who need it most, worked alongside the “Wounded Warrior Project” creating specialized courses for those injured in battle to bring confidence and ability to protect their families despite situation, trained women from the Women’s Abuse Center in Texas to help learn tactics for protection and escape, trained Law Enforcement/SWAT for protection on duty (Credit Certified), trained Military (every branch) including Special Forces, trained with School for the Deaf and the Blind for protection, and students from all walks of life.
Garrett owes everything to his coaches and teams that mentored him throughout his career and would not be who he is today without them. Garrett hopes to be an example and share the same knowledge with his students to learn and grow in all aspects of life and training.
Credentials:
- Former Pro-MMA Fighter
- Former Amateur MMA Fighter
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competitor, a 4-Stripe Brown Belt and offered Black Belt multiple times. Placed in the worlds in Gi and NoGi. Lineage associated with the Gracies (primarily Rickson Gracie), to Pedro Sauer, Chute Boxe, to Killer Bee’s Jiu-Jitsu under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion.
- Wrestling (Freestyle, Folk Style & Grecco Roman), walked on collegiate, trained with former wrestling Olympian Kamal Shalorus (UFC), Head Coach Mike Dixon out of Team Punishment, and other top NCAA Champion Wrestlers throughout the US.
- Boxing (Boxer Puncher Style from Mexico), competed and trained by Xavier Cepeda (Top Texas Boxing coach), under top pro boxers such as Bryan Vera and many others.
- Muay Thai (Traditional from Thailand), competed and trained by multiple well known Muay Thai coaches from Edy Arawin and Elton Wells who trained top Muay Thai and MMA fighters from UFC and Bellator.
- Hagana (Top Weapons Defense), Judo (Top Judo Champions), Kali (Philippines), Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, and many other styles to learn overall differences to adapt into MMA and Self-Defense.
- Specialized training for Law Enforcement and required Defensive Tactics.
Garrett’s students have excelled from Amateur to Pro-MMA Fighters holding multiple Championship Belts, BJJ World Champions, Golden Glove Champions, Top Muay Thai Olympian competitor, 2nd Ranked Female MMA Fighter in the world, and hundreds of students from all walks of life.
Garrett’s heart is with MMA and known as a “Transition Fighter and Coach”, to help dictate openings and control the fight where it is wanted, to ensure at all times his students are able to use their strengths against an opponent. Bringing together a true mix of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Boxing and Muay Thai to create a strong MMA style.
Garrett welcomes you to join the team starting here in Idyllwild and train at the highest level, whether wanting to compete as amateur or professional, or just learn to protect yourself and gain confidence.
Classes to be offered by Garrett:
This includes Kids, Teens, Adults and all experience levels.
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: This course will focus on the core of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, both Gi and NoGi, and one of the most sought-after programs. This is built for those who want to learn how to protect themselves, no matter your size, age, male or female, and experience level. BJJ is critical as a foundation, and a discipline where leverage and technique are what determines the outcome. Join us to learn more of this incredible and eye-opening physical game of chess that is welcome to all.
- MMA: This course will focus on all disciplines, understanding of MMA, and how to mix everything to learn to protect oneself. Open to all experience levels and other competitors/fighters welcome.
- Wrestling: This course will focus on multiple styles of wrestling including Freestyle, Folk Style and Grecco Roman. This will be beneficial for students wanting to learn a wrestling foundation or current competing wrestlers looking to start or go collegiate.
- Boxing: This course will focus on traditional boxing; those looking to learn or compete in boxing.
- Muay Thai (Kick Boxing): This course will be traditional Muay Thai, mixed with other aspects of kickboxing. A foundational course to learn what Mauy Thai is about.
- Special Forces/Law Enforcement: This course is designed for those in Law Enforcement or Military, and is not open to the public. Course is designed only for active duty and tailored to profession. Approval and Credentials are required.
- Self Defense Courses: These courses aredivided into different categories. Offering Women’s Self-Defense, Self-Defense, Student Self-Defense, Elderly Self-Defense, LGBTQ Self-Defense. These courses range from 2 Day Seminars to 6-Week Seminars. Announcements will be made on dates and limited class sizes.
Check out the Idy Hot Yoga schedule for a variety of MMA classes today!