Paying $29.99 to watch the Ultimate Fighting Champion-ship might be a waste of money.
ASU students have their own rendition of the sport here on campus.
The American pankration club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Student Recreation Complex.
The club, which was founded in 1990 by former ASU wrestler Jeff Funicello, teaches students how to defend themselves if they're in a tight spot.
"Pankration combines all forms of hand-to-hand combat, creating a complete discipline," Funicello said. "It is designed to defend against many different situations."
Funicello was a four-time letterwinner in wrestling, graduating from ASU in 1994. A state judo champion, Funicello earned a silver medal at the 2004 Pan American Games and participated in last year's Greco-Roman wrestling Olympic Trials.
"I've been around a lot of great people," Funicello said. "I keep learning every day and having fun."
In addition to teaching defensive tactics, pankration prepares athletes for competitions, like the Grapplers Quest Beast of the East championships, scheduled for Feb. 26 in Elizabeth, N.J.
"The key to pankration is self-improvement," said ASU graduate Dan Kessler, who plans to participate in the submission wrestling event. "I keep doing it because I want to get better."
Sophomore Alex Ruiz, one of the newest members of the club, insists that pankration teaches self-defense and gives him a good workout.
"Pankration is a productive way of working out," Ruiz said. "It helps me learn to defend myself, too."
The American pankration club expanded this semester to include a self-defense class for women called "Angels with Attitudes." The club also was founded by Kessler.
"It gives women the confidence and ability to defend against attackers," said Steve Gephardt, an assistant instructor for the class.
Hockey fan hit with stick
A heckling fan caught an unexpected response Saturday in the ASU men's hockey club's game against Weber State.
Freshman Ryan Claridge said Weber State forward Ian Soldano hit him with his stick from the penalty box at Oceanside Arena.
Claridge and his friends were taunting Soldano. Claridge said Soldano reached over the glass with his stick and cut him in the face.
"I put my hand up to kind of stop it and it hit ... right in front of my left eye," said Claridge, who received four stitches at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital.
Soldano was ejected from the game, and Claridge was asked to leave the arena.
Tempe police responded to an assault call at the arena, but an incident report had not been filed by press time, Sgt. Dan Masters said.
Soldano was not arrested. Claridge said he filed a disorderly conduct report.
ASU coach Mike De Angelis was not available for comment. Weber State team manager Jerry Wilcox declined comment.
Reach the reporter at thomas.j.kelley@asu.edu. The State Press reporter Brian Indrelunas contributed to this story.
