BILLINGS — William Grandhauser wears many hats: business owner, husband, father and world champion.
Grundhauser has traveled across the United States competing and winning mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu competitions, his most recent achievement being his victory at the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Championships in Las Vegas last weekend.
“I've probably won 120 MMA titles and national and world titles with my team,” Grundhauser said. “We are literally one of the best teams in the world.”
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He won his weight and age division, taking home the gold medal and adding to his winning tally.
“I just wanted to prove I was good at what I do. And really, the bigger and stronger the opponent, the more excited I am about this opportunity. It's pretty cool when mountaineers climb the Beartooth Mountains. If it's Everest, it's like, wow, this (fight) is Everest for me,” Grundhauser said. “It's the most coveted prize.”
Grundhauser dedicated his victory to his wife and two children.
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Now he's back home from Las Vegas doing the same thing he's been doing for the past decade: giving back to the community with his martial arts school, The Grindhouse. He has gyms in Billings, Red Lodge, Sheridan, Miles City and Glasgow. He and his wife also opened DaKava House in downtown Billings about six months ago.
“I'm a fifth-generation Montanan, I have six kids, I refused to go into the military, I left for a few years, then I came back. I vowed to never leave, because everyone who brings great talent, everyone who has great talent, leaves,” he said.
Grindhouse kids instructor Brian Borst is grateful to Grundhauser and the gym community.
“Grindhouse has been one of the best things in my life,” Borst said. “(Grindhouse) has always helped me achieve my goals. I look at him as a mentor and watching him compete really lights a fire in me.”
Grundhauser has been a beacon of positive change for hundreds of his students.
“His talent and ability to connect with his students is, as I say, rare, not just in Billings but across the country,” said Lane Plettan, who trains at Grindhouse. “We've traveled and competed and trained everywhere – New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas – but inevitably, people say they want to train in Billings because we want to feel this, we want to experience this. It's so, so amazing, and Billings is so lucky to have it here, in our hometown.”
Despite his many accomplishments, Grundhauser remains humble and always wants to focus on the great work others in the community are doing.
“I really don't like the attention. I always try, but look what they've done. That's the way I do it,” he said. “Overall, what I'm most proud of is our community. We have people here from all walks of life.”
