Greubel's Mixed Martial Arts: From Augusta to the world stage
By Kaiym Musani | Sports writer
When Mark Greubel looks back at the journey of Greubel Mixed Martial Arts, which he co-founded with his brother John in 2005, he sees more than a gym. He sees a community built on discipline, resilience and opportunity—one that has helped transform lives inside and outside the ring.
“I had to make a choice,” Mark recalled. “Do I keep on continuing to do this and injure myself? Or stay in the game by coaching? I decided to stay in the coaching realm.”
That decision paid off. Between 2006 and 2014, Greubel Mixed Martial Arts produced 35 IKF world champions. John became the first-ever six-time IKF world champion, and Mark’s very first student went on to become a seven-time IKF world champion.
Mark himself had once been a rising star in kickboxing. He won the state title in 1997, followed by national titles in 1999 and 2000, competing under the IKF, WAKO and PKC banners. He sparred with legends like Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, crossed paths with Forrest Griffin before his Ultimate Fighter fame and even cornered Roy Jones Jr. in Augusta.
“I was undefeated,” he said of his competitive years. “But injuries racked up. Coaching let me stay involved in the sport I loved.”
Producing champions
Greubel’s reputation as a coaching powerhouse quickly grew. Fighters like Brandon “BigBear” Spencer who was once on a seven-fight losing streak, turned their careers around after coming under Mark’s guidance.
“He won six fights and two pro titles in the next year,” Mark said. “He went from losing seven to winning six. That’s crazy.”
Perhaps the gym’s most decorated product is Nicholas Orange, who once beat Gervonta “Tank” Davis in the amateurs. Orange became a state wrestling champion, national jiu-jitsu champion, national MMA championand five-time world kickboxing champion.
“He was just a stud athlete,” Mark said. “The nicest kid you’d ever meet. Now he’s bound to be a doctor.”
Other notable names include Helen Peralta, now a bare-knuckle world champion, and Trevor Gillies, the former NHL enforcer for the New York Islanders who trained in Muay Thai and judo at Greubel’s.
Coaching on the world stage
Mark’s role expanded beyond Augusta. He began coaching for Team USA Kickboxing in 2006, traveling to Croatia with just three team members. Today, Team USA fields more than 100 athletes worldwide. In 2017, he served as Head Coach for Team USA at the World Games, and in 2022, he helped officially introduce the sport of kickboxing to a global audience in Birmingham, Ala.
“We built basically a huge kickboxing team,” Mark said. “In 2006, we had three members. Now we have over 100-something team members.”
The gym’s current roster includes Cameron Martin, a bronze medalist at the world championships preparing for his adult division debut, and Anvar Boynazarov, a two-time world pro Muay Thai champion who once fought Saenchai (Suphachai Saepong), widely considered the greatest Muay Thai fighter on one week’s notice.
Philosophy beyond fighting
Despite the gym’s record of producing champions, Mark insists the mission is bigger than wins and belts.
“A lot of people think we teach violence,” he said. “That’s not what we’re doing. We’re teaching people how to walk away. Because when you know what you can be, you don’t have to prove it to anyone.”
For Mark, martial arts built the confidence to overcome personal struggles, like stage fright from his days playing drums. “After winning a national title, I was like, man, why am I so scared to play in front of people? I’ve been punched and kicked in the face in front of everyone. Everything else started to become fun.”
That philosophy extends to the gym’s approach to training. Students can access boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or MMA under one membership. “We don’t charge people extra,” Mark explained. “It’s one price. You get to do all of it.”
Building community
With nearly 300 members between two Augusta locations, Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts remains a pillar in the community. At one point, Mark operated four gyms, but today he focuses on building depth at two core facilities.
“We’re not the cheapest, but we’re definitely not the most expensive,” he said. “I do feel like we’re one of the best, though. We’ve had guys fight at the highest level, on pay-per-view, traveling all over the world.”
As Greubel prepares for another international trip this November to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for the world championships, Mark reflects on what keeps him motivated.
“I’ve dedicated my life to martial arts,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about more than the business. It’s about changing lives.”
Contact Kaiym Musani at kmusani@augusta.edu.
Gruebel’s Mixed Martial Arts has two locations in the Augusta area, this one on Columbia Road in Martinez. The Gruebels train some of the top martial arts talent in the world. (Bell Ringer staff photo)
