William Li, a former wrestler and MMA fan, spent a decade and a half sitting on the sidelines and out of training. Once he decided to get back on the horse, he had a problem; finding a place in his area to train.

That’s when he realized that there was an unfulfilled need for a website that would help people like him find a place to put in the work they wanted to do.

“The site was created because I was interested in getting into the sport of MMA – for cardio, not being a fighter,” Li said. “I scoured the web looking for an MMA gym near my house, but couldn’t find one or the information was scattered and sparse.”

Li said he put together his other interests and he combined his web development skills and his passion for MMA to create www.findmmagym.com.

Li’s efforts are directed at one thing he finds vital, giving people a hand heading down the road he took to getting back in shape and working at the sport he loves.

“It’s all about MMA gyms, schools and training facilities,” Li said. “The goal is helping the average Joe or Jane understand, learn, research and participate in MMA gym and school talk. We want people to be able to make an informed decision about joining or trying out an MMA gym.”

In the course of his work on the site, Li has had some nice little brushes with fame and met some of his favorite fighters along the way.

“I briefly met Bobby Lashley at the UFC Expo,” Li said. “He was on his way to the bathroom when I  stopped him and asked for a photo. He said he promised to come back after his bathroom break, but he never came back.”

Li wasn’t discouraged, but he does want one thing out of the abortive meeting.

“B-Lash, you owe me a photo I don’t care if you were dropping a deuce in the can, you better own up to that promised photo,” Li said.

According to Li, he’s also come face-to-face with Wanderlei Silva at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.

” Wandelei was a nice, humble and down to earth guy,” Li said. “He was chasing his four year old kid around the gym.”