CUMMINGS COMBAT SAMBO
Does that HURT? GOOD! It Builds Character
Article by writer, editor, and MMA junkie Lauren "Owly" Dykstra of Panama City, FL
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Early on Saturday morning while most people would be recovering from their night out, Cummings Combat Sambo is a busy place. The fighters are already up, doing something similar to crossfit, and sweating in the Florida heat. Some are carrying around cinder blocks, while others do push ups or flip a huge tractor tire across the blacktop. Coach Carlos Cummings is right with them doing the circuit, cracking jokes, and keeping everyone motivated and laughing.

Most training days begin with an intense cardio workout followed by non-stop grappling and technique sessions, stand up sparring, and ground and pound practice. The emphasis is on learning the Sambo ground fighting system at your own pace in a fun environment. “People won’t learn if you’re too serious all the time. It gets boring!” says Coach Carlos, who has been training in martial arts since age 13. By 19 years old he had earned his first black belt in Judo, and began studying Aikido Jiu Jitsu, Kyokushin Karate, Israeli Self Defense, and finally Sambo under Chris Mayger in Birmingham, AL. His wife’s work as a travel nurse took the Cummings to St Petersburg, Russia where Carlos spent five more years learning Sambo under Ian Malichek. He fought in 12 pro MMA matches, winning 8 of them by employing these fighting techniques.

When he finally came to Panama City Beach, FL in 2005, he says, “after fighting I decided to be a Coach ‘cause I love teaching Sambo.” It is a very efficient and complete fighting system meant for Russian special forces and Spetsnaz. The goal is to quickly inflict as much pain as possible through throws and joint locks / breaks. He has been teaching Security Forces on military installations and training the fighters of Team Relentless ever since.

Domonic Gabreleski has been training here for almost 2 years and is preparing for his first fight in August. Though this is his first MMA fight, he is no stranger to competition. Dom has competed and placed in numerous grappling and submission tournaments, is ranked 4th in the Florida Grappling League, and holds records for fastest submission in two of these tournaments. At 5’10” 170lb he will be fighting in the welterweight division. He is very confident in his submissions and ground ability, and feels that his strength is in letting the fight come to him and capitalizing on his opponents mistakes.

Outside of the gym, Dom is an electrical engineer for the US Navy. When asked why he is interested in fighting, he says, “I do it for fun. It’s something to keep my life balanced. Going to work, designing and engineering; this is pretty much the complete opposite.” And though his work is time consuming and important to him, he says that “as fights come along, and as I progress I will definintely consider going pro.”

Another of Team Relentless’ top fighters, Brenton Robinson, has been training here for about 7 months. Before learning Sambo he spent a few months at Alliance Jiu Jitsu in Dallas. He has also trained with John Holt, one of the Thai fighting specialists from American Top Team. He is 5’6” and fights at 155lb. He also holds the record for fastest submission at COPA 2009 grappling tournament and took 2nd place at FGL and COPA. He lives and breathes fighting, and says, “I want to take it as far as I can.”

When Brent isn’t in the gym he can be found at the Fighter’s Universe which he owns and operates on Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach. Fighter’s Universe is an MMA specialty store he opened with his business partner and fellow fighter Nate Corville in February, 2009. They carry any and everything MMA related, from hard to find gear to name brand fight apparel.


Cummings Combat Sambo is located at 1816 B Allison Ave, Panama City Beach, FL 32407.
They train five days a week in their 2,700 sq ft facility and offer morning and evening classes
for a range of skill levels.

To join a class, or book these and other Team Relentless fighters please contact:
Carlos Cummings: 850-303-1238.