In neighborhoods where opportunity feels like a luxury and violence feels unavoidable, MMA gyms offer something youth rarely find elsewhere: structure, security and accountability. I know this not only through research, but through experience. I began training at 15, and for much of my adolescence, the gym was one of the few places where discipline, consistency, and respect were non-negotiable. For many young people growing up in under-resourced communities, that structure can be life-changing. Southern California, particularly the Inland Empire, has long been a quiet hotbed for mixed martial arts. Fighters like Bobby Green, Cub Swanson, Kevin Holland and Sean Strickland all emerged from this region, many from difficult circumstances. Bobby Green taught me my first armbar at Pinnacle MMA in Redlands, and years later, I continue to train when I can at Ohana Jiu Jitsu Club, where my coach, Tony Juan, exemplifies the discipline, patience, and accountability that define the best gyms. What remains consistent across these spaces is the emphasis on character over ego, an approach that gives young people structure, mentorship, and a sense of responsibility both on and off the mat. The sport’s reputation often centers on aggression, but within many low-income communities, MMA gyms serve as a place where youth can safely direct their energy, build confidence and learn emotional control. Traditional institutions such as schools, community centers and even mental health centers are not always accessible or culturally relevant for youth who need them the most. Many impoverished youth face ongoing exposure to community violence, unstable housing and limited access to mentors or safe recreational spaces. When these systems fail to offer meaningful guidance, youth still seek belonging and direction. These gyms help fill that gap. Despite the stereotype that combat sports encourage aggression, the reality inside a well-run gym is quite different. The culture is grounded in discipline, emotional regulation and mutual respect. Fighters learn early that uncontrolled anger leads to poor technique, unsafe training environments and inevitable losses. For many individuals in high-stress environments, this may be one of the first places where emotional control is modeled and practiced. Research supports these benefits as well. Researchers in Australia conducted a randomized controlled trial examining a ten-week martial arts program and found significant improvements in student resilience. Participants developed stronger coping skills and greater confidence in managing stress. In marginalized communities, resilience is essential for navigating adversity. It is a trait that must be taught and reinforced, with martial arts proving the natural structure for doing so. Furthermore, self-control and emotional regulation are equally important. Research published in 2024 found that adolescents who practiced martial arts demonstrated higher self-control and substantially lower levels of aggression and bullying compared to non-practitioners. Emotional regulation explained much of the differences that were seen. When youth learn to manage frustration and anger in the gym, those skills extend to everyday life. In communities where reactive aggression may be modeled, emotional regulation becomes a critical protective factor. Combat sports can also function as a culturally relevant intervention for youth who are not drawn to traditional therapy or school-based programs. Andrew Lane at the University of Wolverhampton argues that combat sports reduce youth violence in part because they appeal to individuals who value strength, toughness and competitiveness, traits often reinforced in high-risk environments. Rather than suppressing these qualities, MMA channels them into a controlled setting where discipline and respect are non-negotiable. A strong example already exists in San Bernardino through Project Fighting Chance, a community boxing and mentorship program serving youth facing poverty, gang exposure and chronic violence. The organization provides more than athletic training; it offers life skills coaching, emotional regulation strategies and consistent mentorship from adults who understand the realities participants face. Project Fighting Chance demonstrates how combat sports can function as a structured, community-based violence-prevention program and offers a model for other cities. Related Articles It’s time to rethink California’s tragically ineffective conservatorship laws Housing reform’s missing capital is key to unlocking abundance Raising children should be affordable: Beyond the baby steps of Reiner, Newsom Lowering health care costs starts with real reform, not temporary subsidies Lab leak in Spain? A wake-up call for global biosafety With all this being said, it is important to realize that research shows mixed results when training environments are poorly supervised or hyper-competitive. Coaching philosophy matters, and a gym that prioritizes its students yields very different outcomes than one focused solely on winning. If we are serious about reducing youth violence, expanding community-based MMA programs is an underused but promising strategy. Supporting partnerships between schools and local gyms can strengthen communities while giving youth access to spaces that already work. For many individuals, the most important fight they face is not in the cage or a ring, but against the conditions that limit their choices. Mixed martial arts offers more than a sport; it offers a disciplined space to grow, gain control and imagine a different future. Ignoring MMA as a legitimate empowerment tool means overlooking one of the few institutions already succeeding where others are falling short. Joshua Uslu is a Redlands resident and graduate student at Cal Poly Pomona. ...read more read less