It strikes four times faster than a king cobra, rivals the impact of a 35-mph car crash, and kicks more than 1,000 pounds of force. Yes, believe it or not, the human body is an elaborate weapon; just ask Nick Bismack, Rochester Hills junior.

Bismack is a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. MMA is a contact sport combining a variety of fighting techniques.

"I’m known around the Midwest for my vicious Thai clinch and knee strikes," Bismack said. "All of my wins have been from submissions, though, because usually the fight ends up on the ground, and [my] submissions game is pretty good off of my back."

Think "Fight Club" with submission holds and a growing fan base. In 2006, MMA championship fights set pay-per-view records for a buyrate draw with 775,000 pay-per-view buys. The sport’s rising popularity comes as no surprise to Bismack.

"MMA fights are the most fun," Bismack said. "Those are the UFC-style cage fights where pretty much anything goes."

Weighing in at 155 pounds, Bismack is currently training for the June 3 "anything goes" Dangerzone Amateur Championship. The event will be held in Auburn, Ind. and will feature fighters from all weight classes.

"It’s a tournament, so I have to win a couple fights in one night, but that will definitely be my proudest moment," Bismack said. "I think I might turn pro after this fight."

The potential of turning pro means Bismack is one step closer to achieving his goal of winning the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

"When I turn pro, I can actually start getting paid for beating people up, and that’s just awesome," Bismack said. "Opponents get tougher and tougher too, and as a pro you get to travel around a lot."

Already dedicated to the sport, Bismack begins training for a fight 40 days prior to an event. He fights once about every two months. Still, he puts in six hours of preparation each day.

"The day starts at 6:30 a.m., so I can get my hour of cardio in before classes," Bismack said.

After school, Bismack heads to Dan Severn’s Michigan Sports Camp in Coldwater. Approximately 35 miles from Albion, it is about a 40- minute drive. He goes there to further his training—focusing on bag work, technique and sparring.

"I usually leave [Albion] around 5:30 p.m. and get back about 10-ish," Bismack said. "It’s a long day, but I give myself a [midnight] bedtime so I get enough sleep. Then I do it all again the next day."

Bismack puts in a lot of work for a sport that is not even legal in Michigan. Bismack travels to all of his competitions in states like Ohio and Indiana, while the legalization is pending in Michigan.

"It kind of takes over your life," Bismack said. "The training and diet and sleep schedule happens like clockwork. Even when you’re not training, you’re still thinking about it."

And the one thing that’s always on Bismack’s mind is his next opponent.