About

Max Metzgar

Undefeated professional MMA fighter. Head coach at Mad Max's Academy. Born in Chicago, fighting out of Columbus, Ohio.

The fighter

I'm an undefeated professional mixed martial artist, 6-0-0, on a thirteen fight combined win streak. Two by knockout, two by submission, two by decision. I fight at lightweight, 155 pounds.

I was born in Chicago and I fight out of Columbus. On Tapology's 2026 regional rankings I'm the number one professional lightweight in Ohio, and third pound for pound in the state. My most recent fight was a unanimous decision over Elvin Romero at CFFC 152 in March 2026.

I headlined the Ohio Combat League card at the Arnold Sports Festival in March 2025, at KEMBA Live! in Columbus. I stopped him at 4:22 of round three.

As an amateur I went 7-0 and signed a multi-fight exclusive contract with Bellator. The debut never happened, because the opponent withdrew. I train out of Ronin Training Center in Columbus, under Matt Brown, a UFC veteran who retired with one of the highest knockout counts in the promotion's history.

Max Metzgar in the ring at Mad Max's Academy in Columbus, Ohio

Who is Max

I wasn't always a great athlete. I started off as a beginner, too. I lacked discipline and confidence, and I was sure the whole room was watching me. Nobody was. I remember exactly how heavy that door felt, and it is the reason this place is built the way it is.

As Ohio's #1-ranked pro MMA fighter, I bring my passion for elite performance to my work as a martial arts coach and personal development coach. As a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, I've spent the last three years guiding my clients and athletes toward meaningful transformations in their health, daily habits, and personal lives.

As great as that sounds, my path was far from "straightforward." During college, I struggled immensely with my identity and direction. I was desperately seeking a career that felt authentic to me. Unsure what that meant or looked like, I left Ohio State's business school to pursue philosophy and journalism. Everyone thought I was crazy for that. At the same time, I fell hard into some self-destructive habits: hardcore partying, drinking, and substance use. I was trying to fill the void. Still, I kept good grades, stayed involved in research at the university, and interned with some of the biggest names in professional sports. But after graduating, my inability to find work within the career path I had envisioned pushed me to a new personal low. I hit rock bottom and felt like an outright failure.

So when the pandemic hit, I took a chance on myself. I went all in on what I cared about: martial arts, kinesiology, philosophy, and growing closer to God. I moved back to Columbus and worked a factory job to pay the bills through my amateur career, fighting my way to the #1-ranked amateur in the country, and then turned pro.

Really, I'm just a normal dude who wanted more for himself and decided, "enough is enough." I had to fight tooth and nail to reinvent myself and become someone I'm proud of. Now, I help other people do the same. Whether you're tired of your own crap and want to put your best foot forward, or are interested in martial arts for yourself or your child, I'm the man for the job!