This is how much it costs to practice martial arts on the tatami of Ilia Topuria
Practice your art combat mixed on the same mat where the new Spanish UFC world champion has been stepping on for many years Ilya Topuria nearby as there is a gym, ‘Clement Club’ from Alicante asks for a fee of 60 euros per month for adults and children from 5 years old.
The gym where fighter Topuria took his first steps in mixed martial arts (MMA, in English) before his UFC crown last Sunday in Los Angeles is owned by two grandchildren of immigrants from Alicante to Argentina who have returned to their roots in Argentina . 2002, Corralito crisis: Jorge and Agustin Clementpersonal trainers “Matador”.
Their faces became famous on all five continents when early Sunday morning 18th of Febuarytogether with Topuria’s brother (Alexander) rushed into the ring at his student moments after the right hand that knocked out and overthrew the Australian Alexander Volkanovsky In the title UFC in the featherweight category.
Spanish-Georgian fighter technicians since from 15 to current 27 years oldBrothers Clement These days they are experiencing a moment of glory at the head of the gym, where calls and visits do not stop coming from those wishing to become professional fighters, as confirmed by the EFE agency, since up to four young people arrived during a visit to its facilities. sign up for the Clement Club, located in an old converted carpentry workshop at 8 Burgos Street in the Garbine district.
Gym, almost to the limit of students’ capabilities
Residents of Buenos Aires Jorge (48 years old) and Agustin (43) almost at capacity: 300 students who, especially in the afternoon, fill 800 meters tatami squares for MMA and boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling and Muay Thai.
Like these brothers, who do not forget their hard and humble origins, prices are popular and range from 60 euros for those who practice discipline, 90’s yes two, 110 three, 130 four and up to 150 euros per brave ones who will master five types of martial arts in one and a half hour classes from Monday to Friday.
The location of the gym “delights” the Clements, but they are aware of its appeal. Topuria They are considering the possibility of looking for larger and more modern facilities in the city of Alicante itself.
Pair of flags Argentina and Spain welcome the visitor into a two-story, 800-square-meter space dominated by an octagonal “cage,” somewhat smaller in size than the official ones, and with a warning plaque “Danger of Death”used to complete upcoming fights.
“Respect your teacher and your academy”
One of the mottos dominates one of the walls of the first floor “Clement Club” “Is not Disneyland“, as well as two close-ups of Topuria, one with a defiant gesture, the other with a hook, and in the training area there is another mural with the phrase “Respeite seu mestre e sua academy”.
Thanks to this notice, aspiring professional fighters are treated the same as their beloved Elijah. as the brothers instill in them the same “codes and discipline” to bring out from them, in the words of Jorge Clement, “the best fighter that can be extracted from within.”
The young promise is motivated by fight posters, some of the “Matadors” with his unblemished 15-0 record in the UFC, as well as prominent figures of the sport who have passed or passed through this place, e.g. Georges Dos Santos, Tony Zambrana, Jorge “Pitole” Rodriguez, Fran Nunez, Sophie Vodi, Juan Carlos “Tato” Pardo, Ivan “Tiri” Tirado, Hamlet Perez Diaz or Lilo Asensi.
Either you kill me or you die
These days there is also a poster dedicated to the grand finale in Los Angeles, whichza “Either you kill me or you die. “Road to the Belt” where the trio formed by Topuria and his two technicians, as well as his brother and fellow fighter Alexander, appears, although they plan to release new images of the fight against Volkanovski soon so that this feat can serve as inspiration.
The ground floor is mainly dedicated to boxing and has a strength training terrace, which is used by students from the surrounding area, although many also come from other parts of the country and from other countries due to a clear desire to train under the direction of the Clements.
This is the case with the Argentinean Lautaro Teneb, who, as a result of Topuria’s entry into the UFC in 2020, contacted Jorge Clement and did not hesitate to move to Alicante to realize his dream, as “Matador” achieved. “devote myself to MMA.”