Story By: King Eddie-MMA Hawaii Staff Reporter

B&W Photo By: Bruno Lemos

Zachary Close is a local fighter from the North Shore who has shed blood, sweat, and tears inside cages in Hawaii for a couple years now. This well rounded fighter has be

en a tough competitor every since he stepped into the sport. His dedication and drive are almost unmatched. The absolute thirst for more knowledge recently led Zach away from the islands and into a place many of you may recognize. . . The, Legendary, Blackhouse Training Facility.

Blackhouse is home to fighters such as Mark Munoz, Junior Dos Santos, Big and Little Nog, and the world’s top pound for pound fighter, Anderson Silva. Not only the big names make it significant, but also the unspoken coaches and trainers that make the big names who they are. Trainers such as Paulo Silva and Jordan Smith.

Zach was invited to train at the private Blackhouse training facility, was included on a segment about the gym featured on “HDnet’s Inside MMA”, and he also attended the opening of the Blackhouse LA facility. Zach made several stops along his tour of mainland gyms, to places such as Santa Barbara Gracie Barra. There he trained with World Champ Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, Rodrigo Clark. He also spent time at State St. Boxing in Santa Barbara. Truly, great strides for our local made prospect. Now that Zach is back on the islands and equipped with the teaching of the Nogueira brothers, I am anxious to see what kind of noise he makes in the cage.

Zach Currently trains at Sunset Beach Jiu-Jitsu. Read more about Zach and the SBJJ crew in our upcoming issue of MMA Hawaii Magazine.