First Look at Dustin Pague’s New MMA Gym in Virginia

BY JOSE SANCHEZ

Cast-member of season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Dustin “The Disciple” Pague welcomed fans, family, friends and new clients to the grand opening of his “Disciple MMA Academy“, a the new state-of-the-industry 5,0000 square foot MMA training, conditioning and fitness facility in Dulles, Virginia. Nestled between the DC’s futuristic international airport and the historic Claude Moore Colonia Farm (ca. 1770), “Disciple MMA Academy” features the area’s only full cage and boxing ring combo, an array of gargantuan punching bags, and two separate mat areas for BJJ and wrestling. The gym also features a separate weight room with additional kettle bells and core conditioning equipment. VIP All Access Energy drinks, based out of Moreno Valley, California, added splash to the celebration of this grand opening.

With an impressive MMA record of 4 losses and 10 wins, of which 7 submissions, the talented 5’9”, 145 pound former ROC Bantamweight Champion is known for his vicious striking abilities, and fights out of Centreville, Virginia by way of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pague co-owns Disciple MMA Academy with Scott “Coach” Howard (head coach of the Muay Thai and MMA competition teams and self-defense instructor) and Chris Merritt, who heads the MMA Fitness Program and strength and conditioning of amateur and pro MMA fighters. “We will teach the next generation of martial artists through hard work, discipline, team work and positive reinforcement,” said Coach Howard, “teaching them what works.” Howard is himself a Level 6 instructor under world renowned Muay Thai/ MMA practitioner, Kru Sean Douglas.

“Dustin brings a sense of striving for excellence, spirituality and humility to being the best MMA featherweight in the world” said Bryan Hamper, Dustin’s manager at Blue Chip Management. “This is his goal. This is what he will accomplish.” Dustin has trained at the Tapout Ranch in New Mexico with other UFC fighters Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Leonard “Bad Boy” Garcia under Hamper’s care. Dustin’s dad John, echoed the sentiment: “Dustin and [co-owner] Chris always saw getting into business together, ever since high school. Dustin was always a good student and applied himself to be excellent and distinguish himself. He’s gonna be great.”

Video courtesy of Dustin Pague & Bryan Hamper