Fresno State students get self defense training to help with campus safety.
The students learned from a mixed martial arts champion. The workshop was held as a part of Crime Prevention Week to give students an edge over a potential attacker.
Students filled a room in the recreational center to learn important moves.
"Be able to defend myself and protect myself too," said Fresno State Junior, Danielle Erdman.
It was a free self defense workshop to raise safety awareness on campus. One student remembers an incident in the Madden Library just three months ago.
"I was at the library and I noticed a lot of flyers on the tables," said Fresno State Graduate Student, Rosendo Iniguez.
They were of Fidel Tafoya, a registered sex offender. The campus distributed the flyers to warn students. Tafoya has been arrested six times at Fresno State.
"All the incidences that have occurred recently stem, this stems from that," said member of the student government, Melissa Ellis.
This is the first year members of the student government hosted self defense classes with former UFC Heavy Weight Champion, Bas Rutten.
"Some of the techniques he's taught us today are just so...it's very simple, it's like
the mechanics come so naturally," said Fresno State Graduate Student, Nelson Rickman.
Rooten says it's mostly about prevention like, making sure to have your keys in your hand and staying off your cell phone when walking to your car, taking the elevator instead of the stairs, and using the buddy system. Rutten said always trust your gut.
"That's the internal...you have a special warning system from up there that tells you. You know, you feel uncomfortable, leave," said Rutten.
Students left feeling reassured they were shown the basics.
"He's the king of fighters. He's like the best if not like one of the best," said Rickman.
