FAIRVIEW — She’s never flown on a plane before, or even been out of the country for that matter.
But Michelle Kittles of Fairview will be doing both as a member of the United States Team competing in the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) World Championships in Amsterdam that ran March 23-27.
Last year’s event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the second time it was postponed. It was originally scheduled to be hosted in Berlin, Germany.
Kittles is the only fighter from Michigan, and she’ll be competing in the heavyweight division.
“I’m excited,” the 45-year-old Kittles said when reached at her home prior to the event. “I’m actually packing right now.”
Kittles said she will spend Monday night at her father-in-law’s because he lives close to the airport, and she’ll fly out on Tuesday.
The journey began six years ago, when a gym started up in town and her husband, Jeff, 47, announced that the entire family was going to join so they could get healthier.
Michelle did not want any of it.
“I was dead set against it,” Kittles said. “I said ‘I’m not setting foot in that gym.’ I went, and it was a jiu-jitsu class. After the first class, I was like ‘Wow, this is fun.’ I didn’t know exercise could be so much fun.
“Learning how to keep myself safe if someone attacks me. I’m like ‘All right. I’ll keep going and see what this jiu-jitsu is all about.’ So, I kept going and I really love jiu-jitsu.”
Once weighing about 300 pounds, Kittles has gone from a size 26 to a size 16. So the “gym” served that purpose as well.
Her husband has been her biggest cheerleader.
“My husband kept telling me (that) they have kickboxing classes, so I’m like ‘Okay, let’s try that.’ I fell in love with that class. Then I’m like ‘Is there are class that joins both of these together?’ And they go ‘MMA.’ I’m like, ‘What’s that?'”
After they got home, they looked it up and started watching videos.
She immediately wanted to try it.
“My husband said, ‘Yeah, yeah. sure.’ I said, ‘I’m going to do it,'” Michelle said. “I just kept on at and kept training. I went to two jiu-jitsu tournaments and I placed second.
“I’ve had two MMA fights so far. Sadly, I’ve not won yet. But I’m having a blast.”
Mixed martial arts is a full-combat sport that uses different techniques from other disciplines such as Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, judo, kickboxing and boxing.
Matches are usually three rounds, lasting five minutes each, with one minute of rest between rounds.
Championship matches, however, usually feature five rounds lasting five minutes each, again with one minute of rest between rounds.
For GAMMA-held events, athletes compete for three rounds lasting five minutes each, with one minute of rest between rounds.
MMA allows opponents to strike and grapple, both standing and while on the ground. Grappling and submission holds are usually performed while on the ground.
Both men and women compete.
Kittle is honored to be able to compete on behalf of the United States.
“Number one, I love my country. I never got a chance to defend my country in the military,” said Kittles. “I got pregnant shortly before I was to boot camp (the couple has two adult children, Kathie, 24, and Alex, 22).
“They know my heart is in the sport. They see potential in me. I am blessed to have this opportunity,” she said.
The community has been supportive as well.
“These people are amazing. They are standing behind me. I’m not letting anything stop me. I’m going there to conquer. I want that medal to return to the United States.”
A total of 58 countries and over 200 fighters are expected to be in the tournament field.
