Veteran combat sports coach Erik Purcell has opened Encoded MMA, a new martial arts and grappling academy located at 179 Lincoln Highway in the Fairless Hills section of Falls Township, Pennsylvania. The facility marks a new chapter for Purcell, who previously owned and operated MPR Endurance/MPR MMA in the local area for nearly 15 years.
A Familiar Face Returns to Lincoln Highway
Comprehensive Training for Every Goal
Encoded MMA provides instruction in a wide range of disciplines under one roof, including jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, Russian sambo, and mixed martial arts. Programs are structured for adults, teens, and children, catering to goals that span professional competition, physical fitness, self-defense, stress relief, and personal development. Purcell noted that prior athletic experience or high fitness levels are not required to join the academy.
The Philosophy Behind Encoded MMA
“You don’t have to want to fight to train here,” Purcell said. “Some people come to compete, but others come to get in shape, learn self-defense, build confidence, relieve stress or simply challenge themselves.”
The academy’s name stems from an overarching coaching philosophy developed over Purcell’s decades in martial arts. According to Purcell, athletic success relies on systematic patterns and principles rather than random effort. Coaches focus on teaching core concepts such as positioning, timing, balance, leverage, and movement to demonstrate how different combat disciplines connect as parts of a larger system.
Rooted in the Local Community
Staying in the Lincoln Highway location keeps Purcell in the community where he has spent years building relationships with local athletes, students, and families. Beyond daily classes, Encoded MMA plans to foster community connections by hosting open mats, seminars, competitions, superfights, and special events.
Balancing Elite Fighters and Everyday Athletes
“After running a gym for so many years, I realized that there are two very different things: creating good fighters and creating a great martial arts academy,” Purcell said. “I wanted to build a place capable of doing both.”
Worth a look