After a few days of much-needed rest, Glendale Fight Club owner and coach Edmond Tarverdyan is looking forward to teaching students techniques he learned from a movie over the weekend.
“I am really excited to bring this new move to both my amateur and professional students,” said Tarverdyan while tying a white bandana around his forehead. “We try our best to make sure they’re prepared for any and all situations they may encounter in the ring, and I’m confident this new move will do just that.”
Despite questions from his students about which movie he had watched, Tarverdyan remained tight-lipped.
“I cannot tell you that. It will give our competitors a look inside our approach. What I can tell you is that once you see it, you will certainly give a ‘Damme,’” said Tarverdyan with a coy smile.
James Moran, a member of the Glendale Fight Club, was able to provide a little more insight into the mystery.
“He saw Bloodsport 2. It wasn’t even the one with Jean-Claude Van Damme,” said Moran. “I walked into the gym on Sunday, and he was watching it on a tiny black and white screen sitting in the middle of the boxing ring. He kept yelling at the fighters in the movie, telling them what to do as if they could hear him. I don’t think he even knew I was there.”
Tarverdyan has been the target of much scrutiny when it comes to his training techniques with some going so far as to call him a fraud. Through it all, Tarverdyan seems more motivated than ever to prove them wrong.
“There are many more movies out there which mean countless opportunities to learn. I just rented an action movie on DVD today that I am certain will help Ronda ‘Cruise’ to a victory.”
The unorthodox teaching methods at Glendale Fight Club may be outside of how most other gyms train, but Tarverdyan remains confident that his method will pay dividends in the cage.
“People will not know what hit them, just wait and see,” said Tarverdyan. “Now if I could only get students to quit canceling their memberships — then I would be all set.”