MMA Lab

By Trey Warren

The MMA LAB is located in Glendale and is the training home of former WEC and UFC Lightweight Champion, Benson Henderson.

According to The LAB’s website, the facility has over 14,000 square feet of training space. They offer programs in Muay Thai, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Wresting, Weight Training and Sports Conditioning.

Their classes begin at 5:30 a.m. and run through 8:30 p.m. through the weekdays and hold classes in the afternoons on Saturdays. They do not have any scheduled classes on Sundays.

Other than Henderson, The LAB also trains professional MMA fighters such as; Joe Riggs, Efrain Escudero and Yaotzin Meza, among others. teach.

The Lab interview with Shane Dalton

By Trey Warren

One of the premier gyms in Arizona is located in Glendale, Ariz. and is home to some of the top fighters in mixed martial arts.

For seven years, The Lab has built a resume full of trophies and medals, while maintaining an atmosphere that is welcoming for any family. One of the gym’s instructors, Shane Dalton, says that their goal is making sure any student who comes to the Lab has an avenue to train.

”Whether it’s a school teacher or it’s a professional fighter, we provide a very flexible schedule,” explained Dalton, who is the gym’s cardio and kickboxing instructor. “All of our classes are instructional based so they will have an expert instructor teaching them in that individual discipline.

”The gym has a specialized instructor each discipline they offer. According to the website, the gym has a “word-renowned team of instructors with over 100 combined years of training experience in multiple disciplines.” They break down the heart of mixed martial arts and break it down into its individual discipline.

“For the students, we want to make sure that they get an amazing work out and are able to train with the exact same staff that trains our professional fight team,” said Dalton. “We have amazing amenities and a flexible schedule, but our instructors are what set us apart.”

John Crouch, The Lab’s head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Elite Team head coach used to train with the Gracie family. He earned his black belt from Royce Gracie in 2005 and has been at the Lab since it opened in 2007. His resume includes training Special Forces and Navy SEALs, as well as UFC veterans Alvin Robinson and Benson Henderson.

Henderson is a member of the fight team at the gym, which also includes Joe “Diesel” Riggs, Efrain Escudero and Yaotzin Meza, among others. But Dalton doesn’t think having professional fighters will make-or-break any gym.

“People come in here for the culture that we have built here at the gym,” Dalton said. “You don’t see any muscle heads, nobody mad-dogging anybody… it’s more like a brotherhood.”

The Lab now has over 600 members and continues to grow. It has over 14,000 square feet of training space, including three rooms of mat space and a full weight and cardio room.

Information from the gym’s website was used in this article.