Fighters Practice
Where striking and grappling come together under pressure.
The Flagship · Colorado Springs
MMA
A complete combat-sports room built on a Haueter BJJ base and a Classic Muay Thai striking room, coached by UFC and ONE veterans.
- Base
- Haueter BJJ
- Striking
- Classic Muay Thai
- Access
- All-Inclusive
★ First 7 days freeMMA is where everything connects: striking, takedowns, clinch, and ground work under pressure, built by people who compete.
Three rooms, one fighter
The All-Inclusive membership covers the full class menu below.
StrikingIntegration
Muay Thai
Stand-up weapons, distance, and clinch.
Explore Muay Thai →GrapplingNo-Gi BJJ
Takedowns, control, and submissions without the gi.
Explore No-Gi BJJ →Grappling range
Ben WestrichLarry Ruiz
Striking range
Natalie SalcedoKay Hansen
The Room
Two elite rooms, one complete fighter
A Chris Haueter black-belt grappling room and a Classic Muay Thai striking room under one roof, taught by UFC and ONE Championship veterans. You build the complete game without stitching together separate gyms.
- UFC & ONE veteran coaches
- Haueter BJJ + Classic Muay Thai
- Fight-camp support, optional
On the mat
What you’ll learn
- 01
Striking
Classic Muay Thai stand-up: distance, weapons, and clinch.
- 02
Grappling
Haueter-lineage No-Gi control and submissions.
- 03
Takedowns
Wrestling entries, sprawls, and clinch control that decide where the fight happens.
- 04
Fighters Practice
Where striking and grappling come together under pressure.
- 05
Fight-camp structure
6–10 week camps for those who want them. Competing is always optional.
The coaching room
Championship pedigree
FounderBen Westrich
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · MMA · Army Combatives
- ★Founder of Warrior Fitness Center
- ★Chris Haueter BJJ Black Belt
- ★Retired Pro MMA Fighter (9-0 with 8 submission finishes)
Natalie Salcedo
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · MMA · Muay Thai
- ★Peak Fighting Championship Atomweight Champion
- ★ONE Championship MMA Fighter
- ★Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Larry Ruiz
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Grappling
- ★BJJ Black Belt under Ben Westrich
- ★BJJ Coach
- ★MMA Coach
This week
Best first classes for MMA students
Adult MMA at Warrior starts through a class mix, not one isolated class. Most beginners start with Muay Thai + No-Gi BJJ + Fighters Practice as appropriate. Open each day to see every class that builds that path.
| Day | Time | Class | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Monday | 07:30 PM | Muay Thai | Beginner / Adults |
| Tuesday | 12:00 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Tuesday | 04:30 PM | Fighters Practice | Intermediate / Advanced / Adults |
| Tuesday | 07:30 PM | Muay Thai | Intermediate / Advanced / Adults |
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Wednesday | 06:30 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Wednesday | 07:30 PM | Muay Thai | Beginner / Adults |
| Thursday | 12:00 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Thursday | 04:30 PM | Fighters Practice | Intermediate / Advanced / Adults |
| Thursday | 06:30 PM | BJJ Comp Class | All Levels / Adults |
| Thursday | 07:30 PM | Muay Thai | Intermediate / Advanced / Adults |
| Friday | 06:00 AM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Friday | 12:00 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Friday | 04:00 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Friday | 06:30 PM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Friday | 06:30 PM | Muay Thai | All Levels / Adults |
| Saturday | 09:00 AM | Muay Thai | All Levels / Adults |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (No Gi) | All Levels / Adults |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM | Fighters Practice | Intermediate / Advanced / Adults |
From our members
What students say
“This is the absolute best gym in Colorado Springs.”
“Everyone is very welcoming and helpful with getting you started.”
Frequently asked questions
Can I train MMA if I have never fought before?
Yes. Many students begin with no fight experience. We help you build the fundamentals first, then add more integrated MMA-specific work as you improve.
Do I have to compete to join MMA classes?
No. Competition is optional. Many students train MMA for self-defense, fitness, discipline, and the challenge of learning a complete system.
Should I start with MMA or begin with BJJ or Muay Thai first?
Most beginners start by building the right class mix: Muay Thai for striking, No-Gi BJJ for grappling, and Fighters Practice as appropriate. A consultation lets the team place you in the right starting path without throwing you into the wrong room too early.
Is MMA only for aspiring fighters?
No. Many members train MMA for challenge, self-defense, conditioning, and the satisfaction of learning a complete system.
What does MMA training include at Warrior Fitness Center?
MMA training includes striking, wrestling entries, clinch work, takedown defense, submission awareness, and transitions across ranges.
Can complete beginners train MMA safely?
Yes. Safety comes from structured coaching, good pairing, and realistic pacing. We do not expect beginners to learn the entire sport in one week.
Find the gym
Hours
- Monday: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Phone
Serving
Colorado Springs, Fort Carson, Fountain, and Security-Widefield.
Common questions
Direct answers from our coaches and staff
Who teaches striking at Warrior Fitness Center?
Striking is taught by coaches with real competition backgrounds. Natalie Salcedo has competed across Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA, signed with ONE Championship in 2025, and is ranked among the world's top atomweights in MMA. Kay Hansen is a UFC veteran with a strong grappling and MMA background. Their experience shapes the striking room around clean fundamentals, pressure, timing, and practical ring awareness.
Who is Ben Westrich?
Ben Westrich is a Chris Haueter black belt who opened Warrior Fitness Center in 2011 while actively serving in the U.S. Army. The site describes him as a professional fighter, All Army Combatives medalist, black belt No-Gi Pan American medalist, and multi-time World, National, and Pan American medalist.
Who is Larry Ruiz?
Larry Ruiz coaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. His site bio describes a background in boxing, military service, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through Army Combatives, with Ben Westrich as a key mentor. He frames coaching as a way to pay forward what combat sports gave him.
Who is Kay Hansen?
Kay Hansen coaches across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and Muay Thai. The site describes her as a UFC veteran with a strong grappling foundation and dangerous submission game. She brings high-level MMA experience into the room.
Who is Natalie Salcedo?
Natalie Salcedo coaches across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA. The site describes her as a multi-talented martial artist, reigning 105 lb champion at Peak Fighting Championship, and a medalist at events including IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, IBJJF American Nationals, IBJJF No-Gi Pan Ams, and ADCC Orange County Open.
Do you teach wrestling or kendo?
Warrior Fitness Center does not currently position wrestling or kendo as active public programs. The main paths are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi grappling, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, MMA, Open Mat, and Kids Martial Arts. If a visitor asks for an unsupported art, redirect them to the closest relevant path or a consultation.
Areas We Serve
Martial arts training for Colorado Springs, Fort Carson, Fountain, and Security-Widefield
Warrior Fitness Center is on Drennan Rd in Colorado Springs, making it a practical training option for nearby military members, adults, and families comparing local gyms.
Martial Arts near Fort Carson
Veteran-owned BJJ, striking, MMA, and kids programs close to post.
Martial Arts near Fountain
A practical drive for adults, beginners, and families south of Colorado Springs.
Martial Arts near Security-Widefield
Structured adult and youth training without crossing the whole city.
BJJ near Fort Carson
Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for military members and nearby adults.
Muay Thai near Fort Carson
Technical striking, pad work, and beginner-friendly coaching near post.
Kids Martial Arts near Fort Carson
Youth BJJ and striking paths for military families.
BJJ near Fountain
A stronger grappling room for Fountain students and beginners.
Kids Martial Arts near Fountain
Structured kids classes for confidence, discipline, and consistency.
Keep Reading
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Muay Thai vs Kickboxing: What's the Difference?
A practical breakdown of Muay Thai and kickboxing for beginners deciding how to start striking training in Colorado Springs.
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The Economics of Combat Sports Part 2
A gym-owner perspective on why coaching quality, room culture, and athlete development matter more than surface-level hype.
Read ArticleWarrior Fitness Center
Your first week is on us.
Book a free consultation and we'll match you to the right MMA class for your pace, level, and schedule.