Adult MMA, kids martial arts, and personal training in Columbus, Ohio with Max Metzgar
Adults and fight team
ADULT MMA
Learn to fight from Ohio's #1 ranked pro. Love your first week or get your money back.
Young Warriors, ages 5 to 14
KIDS MARTIAL ARTS
Confidence, discipline, and the skills to stand up for themselves. Free trial class after orientation.
One on one coaching
PERSONAL TRAINING
Get in the best shape of your life, without living in a gym. Love your first week or get your money back.
Featured In
Promotions I've Competed For
Rivers RumbleECC Cage Fighting
Rivers RumbleECC Cage FightingThe honest part
Nothing changes while you are still deciding.
Most people who end up here have been thinking about it for months. Thinking is not what resolves it. Another year of meaning to is the most expensive option on this page.
What you actually get.
A coach who still competes
I still compete. The standard I hold you to is the one I hold myself to.
A start that meets you where you are
Nobody spars on day one. No extreme plan you'll quit in week three.
Something that outlasts the coaching
Skill and conditioning you keep long after you stop needing me.
Who is Max
Max Metzgar
I wasn't always a great athlete. I started off as a beginner, too. I lacked discipline and confidence, and I was sure the whole room was watching me. Nobody was. I remember exactly how heavy that door felt, and it is the reason this place is built the way it is.
As Ohio's #1-ranked pro MMA fighter, I bring my passion for elite performance to my work as a martial arts coach and personal development coach. As a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, I've spent the last three years guiding my clients and athletes toward meaningful transformations in their health, daily habits, and personal lives.
Read the full story6-0
PRO
13
STRAIGHT WINS
#1
LIGHTWEIGHT IN OHIO
Tapology regional rankings, 2026.
CHI → CMB
CHICAGO BORN, COLUMBUS BASED
Main event, Ohio Combat League at the Arnold Sports Festival. Won by knockout, round three.
How it works
Three steps, whichever door you pick.
Pick your program
Adult MMA, kids martial arts, or personal training.
Book your orientation
A free No Sweat Orientation. Meet Max, see the gym, ask anything.
Start with zero risk
Adults: love your first week or get your money back. Kids: a free trial class on the next visit.
MMA and personal training in Columbus, Ohio, under one coach
I'm Max Metzgar. I run Mad Max's Academy in Columbus, Ohio. I'm 6-0 as a professional fighter, on a thirteen fight win streak, and ranked the number one lightweight in the state on Tapology. I headlined the Ohio Combat League card at the Arnold Sports Festival and won by knockout in the third. I am still competing, which is unusual for someone running a gym and is the most relevant thing about the coaching you would get here.
There are two sides to what I do. The MMA side covers adult classes, a selective fight team, kids martial arts from about age five, and private lessons. The personal training side, Fight For Your Fitness, is one to one coaching for adults who want to change their body and have usually tried and stopped a few times before.
Neither one runs on intimidation. People quit MMA gyms because they got thrown into sparring too early, and they quit fitness plans because the plan was built for a life where nothing goes wrong. Both are design problems, not willpower problems, and both are avoidable. Come once, at no cost, and find out in person.
Three ways in.
Real people. Real results.
Verified Google reviews
Started the program with zero mma experience - Max met me where I was at, helped me build my fundamentals, and kept me at a pace where I felt involved but not overwhelmed. Overall excellent coaching across all levels, with attention to detail and solid technique as the focal point, in addition to a supportive and encouraging community. Highly recommend
Remington Norman
7 months ago
Max is a wonderful personal trainer! He's a great listener when it comes to your goals and an encouraging presence in the gym. The atmosphere is fun and nonjudgmental while still focused and engaging enough to see results. 10/10 would recommend!
Kori Stewart
8 months ago
I worked with Max to put together a private birthday boxing event for my boyfriend and his friends, and it was an absolute hit! Max guided everyone through a variety of punches and combinations, keeping the energy high and the vibe fun throughout. He wrapped up the session with some friendly sparring, which everyone loved. Max made the whole experience easy to plan and incredibly enjoyable from start to finish. I'd highly recommend him for your next private event
Olivia J
11 months ago
Free Guide
Never walked into a gym like this before?
What to wear, what happens in the first hour, and the fears that turn out not to be real. Free, opens straight away.
Read the guideTwo locations. Two disciplines.
MMA Team
Mad Max's Academy, MMA Team
6772 Kilowatt Cir, Blacklick, OH 43004
(708) 557-0118
Get DirectionsPrivate Lessons & Personal Training
Mad Max's Academy, Private Lessons & Personal Training
316 Marshall Passage, Columbus, OH 43215
(708) 557-0118
Get DirectionsPick your door.
Three ways in. One standard. Every program starts with a free No Sweat Orientation.