Ryan Bixler has taken his love of wrestling to the next level as a professional mixed martial artist.

Bixler, 21, grew up in Oskaloosa and wrestled for 14 years, but for almost two years now, he has fought professionally in the ring as a mixed martial artist.

Mixed martial arts incorporates wrestling and other disciplines such as boxing, jujitsu, mauy thai, judo, karate, kick boxing, kung fu and taekwondo. MMA began in the United States in 1993 with the formation of the Ultimate Fighting Championships and is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., according to the History Channel’s “Human Weapon” Web page.

“I’ve fought in a 12-foot cage. I’ve fought in 33-foot cages and boxing rings,” Bixler said. “It’s two people in the ring.”

A mixed martial artist can win a match three ways — submission, technical knock-out or knock-out. Some leagues will let a competitor throw in the towel while others won’t. Also, referees can stop a fight if one of the competitors is too badly injured to continue, Bixler said.

There are three levels of MMA — amateur, professional and championship. An amateur fight is composed of three three-minute rounds. A professional fight lasts for three five-minute rounds. A championship fight lasts for five five-minute rounds.

Bixler said that the Midwest is a region where amateur MMA reigns and that the really good professional contests are held in Las Vegas or in California. Bixler said he also has competed in Tijuana, Mexico.

Bixler is serious about his craft.

“I’m a professional athlete,” Bixler said. Bixler, who usually fights at 155 pounds, has a record of 19 wins and four losses.

When there’s a fight coming up, Bixler says he’s in the gym for eight to 12 hours a day training.

A professional fighter in training will practice all the different styles — jujitsu, mauy thai, boxing and wrestling — for one to two hours each. Then you lift weights, do cardiovascular exercise and do film study of your opponent, Bixler said.

“It’s a full day,” he said.

Bixler says he doesn’t have a favorite style of fighting.

“I love all the styles. The more I learn, the more I love,” he said.

“I’m a wrestler — ‘ground and pound,’” he added. But he likes mauy thai, where you can throw elbow strikes. “I love to use and incorporate all styles,” he said.