Star Value

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has never been more popular, but in a sport that seems so seemingly brutish, the sight of a 5-foot-2, 130-lb, 13-year-old may cock some heads as he stands, staring his opponent down from across the cage. The son of an Albanian immigrant, Reshat Mati has had a knack for throwing fists since his birth, earning the nickname “Punch Baby.” Mati’s father Adrian has trained the lean and fleet footed phenom from the time he was able to punch things other then the air. Already an adorned champion in multiple disciplines of martial arts, including boxing, kickboxing, and grappling, the teen has earned himself a new nickname, “the Albanian Bear.” Mati trains at several different gyms across Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY, where his training regiment is intimidating, even for the fittest of adults. Just as astonishing is Mati’s determination to become the best, even as an adolescent. His story just goes to show that technique will continue to beat strength. It may take the triumph of an athlete like Mati to prove this notion to denying spectators. As he stands atop the podiums a champion, Mati continues to push the progressive bounds of MMA. n