In the heart of Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania, a combat sports gym is making waves in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). American Top Team Happy Valley (ATT Happy Valley), established in 2021, is strategically tapping into the robust talent pool of Penn State’s renowned wrestling program, aiming to become a premier destination for fighters, particularly for wrestlers transitioning to MMA.

Benefiting from Pennsylvania’s vibrant wrestling culture and located in proximity to Penn State, ATT Happy Valley is perfectly poised to harness the prowess of a university wrestling program that has dominated college wrestling for over a decade. The gym’s partners, including Bo Nickal, a Penn State alumni and holder of three NCAA wrestling titles, exemplify the merger of wrestling and MMA. Currently an undefeated MMA prospect, Nickal trains at ATT Happy Valley, sharing the mats with fighters like Adaylton Freitas, a three-time Muay Thai world champion, and Ailton Barbosa, a Brazilian jujitsu black belt and coach.

ATT Happy Valley’s primary strategy is to leverage local wrestling talent. This is made evident by the presence of Penn State wrestling standouts like Anthony Cassar and Olympic gold medalist David Taylor. The gym’s strategic location and connection to Penn State’s wrestling program present a unique advantage, attracting athletes like Noah Hermosillo, who relocated from Colorado to train in various combat disciplines at the gym.

While ATT Happy Valley is still smaller compared to other elite MMA gyms, its intimate setting offers personalized training, a feature fighters find highly beneficial. As the gym continues to grow, its reputation is being solidified by the success of fighters like Nickal, who is scheduled to fight at UFC 300 in Las Vegas. The gym’s growth is a testament to the synergy between elite wrestling and MMA, a path previously forged by MMA legends like Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, both of whom also carry wrestling backgrounds.