Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez purchased the UFC Gym franchise located in Kendall, FL and secured developmental rights for additional gyms throughout Miami – Dade County.
Rodriguez, a three-time MLB American League MVP, 14-time All-Star, 2009 World Series Champion and CEO of A-Rod Corp., will take ownership of the state’s first signature UFC Gym immediately and schedule a reopening celebration at a date to be determined.
“UFC Gym combines my passion for fitness, family and the sport of mixed martial arts,” Rodriguez said. “UFC Gym is an attractive fitness platform that supports the healthy lifestyle that my family and I lead, along with reflecting the core values that all athletes strive for: strength, endurance, confidence, discipline and respect.”
The 31,000-square-foot facility includes a 24-foot version of the UFC’s Octagon and access to classes such as Daily Ultimate Training, TRX, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing, mixed martial arts conditioning, women’s self-defense and popular group fitness classes.
“UFC Gym is excited to partner with an esteemed athlete like Alex,” said UFC Gym Executive Chairman Mark Mastrov. “Alex has a longstanding and proven track record as a successful entrepreneur and we look forward to expanding our brands footprint while bringing UFC Gym’s TRAIN DIFFERENT® philosophy to one of the most health-consciously active markets in the country.”
Rodriguez joins other current and former professional athletes that operate UFC Gym franchises in various markets, both domestic and internationally. Those athletes include: UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and UFC featherweight Cub Swanson (Costa Mesa, CA), UFC Hall of Famer and featherweight BJ Penn (Honolulu, Waikele and Mililani, HI), former WEC featherweight champion / former UFC bantamweight Urijah Faber (Sacramento, CA) and UFC featherweight Frankie Edgar (New Brunswick, NJ).
Photo courtesy UFC Gym
