Instinct MMA
Just about a half-hour up I-83 in Hampden Township, Cumberland County, is a new MMA academy - Instinct MMA. It's run by John Imler and classes are taught at the Hampden Township Recreation Center, 5001 Park St., Mechanicsburg.
Trainer John Imler
Imler offers classes in MMA, muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also offers specialized training for prospective fighters. For more information, email John here or call him at 717-307-6011. Registration must be done through the Hampden Township Recreation Department at 761-4951or online here.
Imler has also affiliated himself with LionHeart Fighters, as he says on his Web site, dated 9/13/08: "On Sunday I had the opportunity to go to State College and help K-1 fighter Mark "The Shark" Miller work with the Team LionHeart Fighters. It was a great experience and an honor to work with him. I held pads for the fighters which gave Mark a chance to watch them. Afterwards Jeff Rockwell taught Jiu Jitsu and I got to roll with them. As most of our members know we have developed a close relationship with Chad and the guys up there and support them whenever we can."
View of Instinct Martial Arts' mat space.
Here's a biography of Imler:
With 14 years combined law enforcement and military experience, more than 20 years martial arts experience, and over a decade focusing on Mixed Martial Arts, John brings a focused, professional, modern approach to studying martial arts. He has coached and cornered MMA fighters, served as a judge, worked with amateur and professional fighters, trained law enforcement, military personnel and pilots in combatives, weapons defenses, and weapon retention.
Although he holds instructor rank in 6 different styles of martial arts, his focus on MMA began in 1995 after watching early UFC's. As a Police Officer he began studying Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1995 to compliment his defensive tactics training. He soon found himself assisting with training fighters, holding pads, sparring, etc.
In 2000 he earned his trainers certification from the late Chris Anderson and recieved his Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu shortly after. After moving to South Carolina, he started teaching an MMA program consisting of Muay Thai and No-Gi BJJ.
A few years later, after moving to Louisville, KY, he met Pro Muay Thai fighter and trainer Eric Haycraft while teaching at a Krav Maga school. After witnessing Eric's dedication and depth of knowledge, he realized he had a lot more to learn about the devastating art of Muay Thai and began working closely with Eric.
Abandoning Krav Maga, he returned to teaching an MMA curriculum in 2005. He also started working with Jason Keaton, a Renato Tavares BJJ Black Belt and Level 4 Modern Army Combatives instructor.
He has also had the opportunity to train with notable fighters/trainers such as American Top Team's Renato Tavares, Jorge Gurgel, Rich "Ace" Franklin, Contender Asia's John Wayne Parr, AFL Welterweight Champ Brent Weedman, Marcello Montiero, and Gustavo "Guga" Machado.
Now back home in Pennsylvania (he was born in Altoona), he found a home for INSTINCT MMA with Hampden Township Recreation Department and looks forward to building a team of warriors.
