Fighter No Business Lightweight

Sometimes it's hard for Achour Esho to contain the minor jealousy he feels toward the students he trains. It's not that Esho, 29, didn't have the talent to become the next Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Brock Lesnar – he won a national kickboxing title at the young age of 19. But as with many things, life's realities have a knack for getting in the way of people's dreams.

Shortly after finishing college, Esho was approached by a couple friends who were offering him the opportunity to open a gym in Palatine. At the time, he held a job trading stocks and was continuing his career as a promising amateur boxer.

"I really didn't care to open up a gym because I was a fighter," said Esho, who grew up in Skokie and attended Niles North High School. "Once you open a gym, it's another job."

He eventually decided to join. Esho and his partners broke ground on an 8,500 square-foot facility in 2006. Now, three years later, the gym is largely a success. Esho, who has compiled 18 years of martial arts experience, teams with 13 other employees, including Comprido Medeiros, Lesnar's head jiu-jitsu coach, to give an array of expertise at Flo MMA.

"The names that we have at the gym pull the crowds in," said Esho, who had to persuade Medeiros to emigrate from Brazil to the United States. "You're definitely not learning from 'Joe Schmo.' "

Esho's ultimate goal is to hold titles simultaneously in boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA), something, he says, has never been accomplished before because many fighters don't have the skills or the time to compete in both sports at a high level.

But he realizes that life might again get in the way of his fighting career. He and his partners are looking to open their second gym, Flo 2. This time, however, they're seeking a place closer to Esho's hometown of Skokie.

"We're looking at Skokie and Morton Grove and we just have to find the location that we want for the price that we want," Esho said. "If Flo 2 comes to Skokie, it's going to create a storm, but obviously my time will be cut and I'll have to take another pause in fighting."

Although Flo MMA offers a variety of classes that range from jiu-jitsu to boxing to MMA fighting and cardio kickboxing, Esho insists that his facility is anything but a "fighter gym."

"The thing about Flo MMA is there are a wide variety of skill levels," said  Baron Rotza, 21, who is training in mixed martial arts at the gym. "There are people who came here knowing nothing, there are fighters and there are people who just want to get into shape. [Esho] is able to coach each aspect and the best thing about him is his diversity as a teacher."

While MMA and boxing are typically seen as more masculine activities, women make up a large portion of Flo MMA's members. The gym offers general fitness classes and self-defense courses, including Krav Maga, a technique created by the Israeli army specifically for civilians. Esho said giving women self-confidence and peace of mind is one of the greatest rewards about his job.

As Flo MMA matured and built up some cash flow and a solid customer foundation, Esho decided to "un-retire" and try to reignite his fighting career.

"I didn't actually retire, but the gym just took up so much of my time and I didn't have any for myself," he said. "Now that the gym has a base and other instructors, I can focus on myself a little more. I just didn't have that luxury two years ago."

In order to train for his fight – including his fight on Aug. 14 in Island Lake, Ill. – Esho has delegated many of his teaching duties to the part-time employees  hired at Flo MMA. That includes his younger brother George Esho, who also grew up training in various forms of martial arts.

"I don't lose when it comes to fights so if I have to give away all my classes and fly to a different state to solely focus on fighting, I'll do it," Esho said. "When I'm not fighting, I will give my full devotion to my gym, but when I fight, I turn that around 180 degrees."

As a professional, Esho holds an 8-0 record boxing in the light welterweight (140 pounds) and welterweight (147 pounds) divisions. He is undefeated in two matches as an MMA fighter, but his next match may be rescheduled after Esho recently suffered a high ankle sprain while training.

While his jealousy of those who choose to pursue MMA as a full-time career might never go away, Esho seems content with the decisions he has made and the path he has taken.

"I enjoy my life and I just do it the best possible," Esho said. "At the end of the day, it's OK if I don't fight, as long as I'm teaching."

For more information on Flo MMA, visit www.flomma.com or call 847-934-1356