THE HURRICANE

By MATTHEW GWIN

Staff Writer

The calling card of Coeur d’Alene has long been the variety of outdoor sports and activities easily accessible in the city.

Now, the Lake City can add mixed martial arts, an indoor sport growing in popularity, to its repertoire.

Pablo “The Hurricane” Alfonso — a retired MMA fighter who still competes in Brazilian jiu jitsu — will spar at the Eddie Bravo Invitational in Burbank, Calif., this Saturday.

Alfonso teaches jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts at 360 Fitness in Coeur d’Alene.

He said he trains two or three times each day for the 16-man submission-only jiu jitsu tournament.

“I’m training with my students, and I’ve got black belts coming over from Spokane to help get me prepared,” Alfonso said Thursday.

Once he gets on the mat, Alfonso said he must channel his nervous energy in order to succeed.

“I just listen to my coach and go with the flow,” he said, “but if you’re not nervous, something is wrong with you. When I’m not nervous, I don’t perform well.”

Born and raised in Miami, the Cuban-American said the relatively high altitude in Coeur d’Alene could provide him an extra edge.

“It’s different,” Alfonso said. “I’ve never been through high-altitude training before, so this should give me a big advantage.”

Alfonso, 34, came to Coeur d’Alene in part because his wife, Rose, wanted to live in a climate with all four seasons, and because the couple was looking for a safer, less-expensive location to raise their two children.

“North Idaho is a great place to raise a family,” he said.

He sent out his resume to several gyms across the country and eventually got in touch with Darla Kuhman, the owner of 360 Fitness and former mayor of Athol.

Kuhman and Alfonso hit if off. She offered him the opportunity to run the fight program, and the rest is history.

“He is really a big deal and we are lucky to have him in our community,” Kuhman said.

Alfonso said his interest in jiu jitsu dates back to his teenage days, when he watched Royce Gracie, a hall of fame fighter, win an entire tournament by submission.

“I fell in love with jiu jitsu right there,” he said.

Prior to that, Alfonso had been enamored with WWE, but he knew that at 5 feet 8 inches tall and 155 pounds, wrestling was not a viable option.

“I had to be realistic,” he said. “I know I can’t be in there with those big guys.”

Jiu jitsu seemed like a natural fit, then, so Alfonso found a school in south Florida and began showing up to classes every day.

Alfonso said he’s grateful he made that choice, and that jiu jitsu has helped him remain positive and humble.

“Jiu jitsu has the power to change lives,” he said. “I know it changed mine.”

The tournament begins at 5 p.m. Saturday and can be seen on UFC Fight Pass or purchased through pay per view.