Mike's Gym Burns to the Ground

In another sad piece of pre-Grand Prix news, Mike's Gym, home of Badr Hari and Melvin Manhoef among others, burned to the ground yesterday.  The fire started in a building just south of the gym, and quickly spread, destroying a number of buildings and burning the gym completely to the ground.  No one was seriously injured, however the gym's collection of belts and trophies was destroyed.  Trainer Mike Passenier and Badr Hari were already in Japan preparing for the Grand Prix. Trainer Thom Harinck is allowing Mike's Gym fighters to train at his nearby gym - very classy, and respectful move by Harinck.

Like the Schilt tragedy from earlier this week, this is not the kind of thing a fighter or camp needs heading into the biggest event of the year.  Passenier has put his entire heart and soul into this gym, and to see it suddenly destroyed has to be hard.  Good news that no one was injured, and all the best to the Mike's Gym team as they begin to rebuild.