www.mybaycity.com October 16, 2011
The Scene Article 6346


Crystal Starkey Trains with Charlie Cosens/Cosens MMA & Conditioning
(MyBayCity Photos By Julie Munger-McCallum)

Crystal Starkey, Heads Back into the Cage to Defend Belt

Inside Cosens' MMA & Conditioning with Crystal Starkey

October 16, 2011
By: Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor


What does a English Professor, A mother of an 8 year old, do in her spare time ???

Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting ?

Crystal Starkey of Sanford Lake is currently undefeated 4-0 in her 2 year history of Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting. Starkey, a single Mom will head to the cage with Chandra Engel of Grand Rapids on October 28, 2011 at SVSU.

According to Starkey's trainer Charlie Cosens of Cosens MMA & Conditioning, her opponent, Engel has quite a few more fights under her belt then Starkey, with a current record of 8-4 and to add to it, she is also going pro after her fight with Starkey.

Charlie Cosens, Owner of Cosens MMA & Conditioning, trains Starkey at the Cosens MMA gym located at 804 N. Euclid in Bay City. Starkey will be defending her 125#'s Women's title belt in an upcoming Blackout Cage Fighting Promotions Event at SVSU on October 28, 2011. Starkey currently holds two belts.

Cosens says of Starkey, "Crystal's natural athletic ability is through the roof."

Recently at a personal training session at Cosens MMA Gym Charlie Cosens worked with Starkey on technique. Starkey, said, "I am the only female fighter in the gym, so I spar with Pat Zippler, Isaac Barbinski and Martinez who are also competing in the October 28, 2011 fight at SVSU."

Starkey, 33 has been cage fighting for approximately 2 years. Starkey is a Assistant English Professor at Delta College, resides in Sanford lake with her 8 year old son. According to Starkey, she tries to get in 2 workout sessions everyday, her training and workout sessions also include, running, weights, P90X and Insanity Programs, along with her training at Cosens MMA gym in Bay City with Owner, Charlie Cosens.

Another female bout on the fight card is Lindsey Thurlow. Thurlow is a student at SVSU. She trains with Team Project Truth Fight Team. She has a background in judo and has been training mixed martial arts for a few months. This will be her first MMA fight.

For any person who is not familiar with cage fighting, they might think of it as just, guys street fighting in a cage and the tough guy wins. It takes more skill then the average person would think, being in top notch shape may not save you, it's about having the technical skill and science behind the moves. It is a very dimensional sport. Starkey, said, "I've been in a lot of sports and this by far has the deepest learning curve of skills."

According to Cosens his gym also has Children's Mixed Martial Arts classes, Ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 12. Cosens said, "It builds self-confidence, and life skills such as hand-eye coordination, improves listening skills, self defense, learn respect and discipline." "The parents Love it, added, Cosens."

Contact Cosens MMA at 989-297-8558


(Above) MMA Fighter, Crystal Starkey, and Owner of Cosens MMA & Conditioning, Charlie Cosens


Starkey catches some air


Starkey in Action





Below short video excerpt, Cosens training with Starkey on her stand up



Video Production by Julie McCallum, MyBayCity.com, Entertainment


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