A mixed martial arts class offered at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is proving popular with students seeking to learn the basics of martial arts and improve their physical fitness.

Aaron Phillips started the program many years ago, but took some time away to open up his own gym, Headkicks Martial Arts and Fitness Club. Things have calmed down now that the gym is open, and Phillips has recently returned to UL to teach the course.

Students learn the basics of martial arts in the course, learning the fundamentals of Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu.

“It is a lot of fun,” Phillips said. “A lot of the students, this is their first interaction with martial arts, but they pick it up quite fast.”

At the end of the semester, students create a video demonstrating what they have learned, which serves as their final project. There is also a tournament where students can compete safely against one another and show off what they know.

One section of the course was offered in the fall 2023 semester, but because of student demand two sections will be offered in the spring.

“So far, enrollment is ahead of schedule,” Phillips said. “We are expecting maximum enrollment.”

Selena Rios, a nursing major, signed up for the class hoping to strengthen her physical ability and said the class was beyond what she expected.

She had no previous experience with martial arts, and said she went into the class not knowing what to expect. Rios said she has learned basic moves that make her feel more secure in her daily life as a woman.

“When we all first went into the classroom, it seemed really intimidating,” Rios said. “As the semester went on, the coach broke us out of our shells.”

This semester, one outstanding student will be awarded a scholarship to Phillips’ gym at the end of the semester. Phillips said he is expecting other gyms to follow suit in the spring semester, offering three to four scholarships to gyms in Acadiana for outstanding students.