A former mixed martial arts (MMA) professional fighter hailing from the Codman Square area returned to the neighborhood last month to shine a spotlight on the Level Ground MMA gym, which is free of charge to those 19 and under.

Mike Rodriguez appeared at the Codman Square Neighborhood Council on Feb. 5 to talk about the positives of MMA for young people and adults. Rodriguez grew up on Norwell Street and had a professional MMA career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Dana White’s Contender Series where he excelled for a time.

He finished his professional career at 12-7 and fought in the UFC under contract from his debut on April 7, 2018, until he finished his contract in 2021. His biggest win came in an ESPN televised match in 2020 when he beat Marcin Prachnio with a knockout in the first round.

But Rodriguez said after retiring he started working out at Level Ground and encouraged young people – especially teen boys – to get involved in MMA like he did at the age of 17 while living in Codman Square.

“It helps you to walk around the neighborhood with confidence, and not false confidence,” he said. “It changed my life completely. I grew up around here full of anger and didn’t fit in a lot of places. MMA was a home for me. I can’t say enough about it.”

He noted that Level Ground is at 1490 Dorchester Ave. and classes are free for those 19 and under, though he recommended not starting until at least age 7. Adult classes are not free, but are affordable, and Rodriguez highlighted the women’s Jiu Jitsu classes on Mondays and Wednesdays as a popular option.

More information can be found at levelgroundmma.org.

TAPPED OUT SHELTER SYSTEM
State Rep. Russell Holmes made a presentation to the CSNC at the Feb. 5 meeting and addressed the migrant housing issue and the state’s shelter system. The Legislature was set to vote the next day on a proposal for additional funding to support the effort, and to put limits on how long folks could stay in the shelter system. Holmes has spoken on the controversial topic several times over the past two years at CSNC, but said this time the state is “tapped.”

While others within the Boston delegation were pulling for continuing to support the shelter system at current levels, Holmes said he has “read the building” at the State House and believes they will end up putting a six-month limit on shelter stays and some proof of being a Massachusetts resident.

“I think we’re tapped,” he said. “I don’t think there’s much more that we can ask for from the people and this is a big nut – $1 billion a year. We have not all the sudden become evil. We just cannot afford it.”

He noted the shelter system required funding of about $125 million a year for decades, but over the last two years has ballooned to $1.1 billion per year or more. The numbers being served has gone from 1,200 to 7,500 in a short time as well. The conversation has come about due to a request from Gov. Maura Healey last month for an additional $450 million to get the system funded through the end of June.

Holmes said they will have tough decisions to make at that time about how to move forward.

FOCUS ON VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN C-11
Capt. Steve Sweeney made his first appearance at the CSNC and noted that on his side of the district, they will be focusing on violent crime because every incident feels big to residents.

“Crime might be down for the city but when you see an incident like that and live in that area, it has an effect,” he said. “That’s why we have the officers out and visible to the community.”

C-11 officers are utilizing their new recruits in the Community Interaction Team to be out walking a beat, and many are using new Gator vehicles to get around and address quality of life concerns.

RUNNING FOR DISTRICT 4
Juwan Skeens of the Redefining Our Community (ROC) Coalition took a moment during the close of the meeting to announce that he plans to run for District 4 city council. The seat is held by Councillor Brian Worrell, who will seek re-election In the past, Skeens has also made the CSNC the launching pad for unsuccessful runs for at-large council and state senate.