When some people first heard about this class, they automatically thought it was "Cagefighting 101." While teenagers here are learning the same moves you can see in a video from the Springfield Fight Club, they're also learning about limits and discipline.

In one lesson, a student learns to choke his challenger -- with permission from parents and the school. Teens learn ground-fighting techniques like the Anaconda, the Guillotine Choke and the Arm Bar.

"It's not violent. This is teaching you techniques, how to defend yourself on the streets,” said Chris Collins, 14.

Mixed martial art has proven to be a popular physical education class at Miller.

"I thought, ‘Man, I’ve got to get in this. It'd be so much fun,’” said Brenden Richardson, 14.

“The response has been pretty positive. At first we didn't know if it would catch on because it's brand new,” said High School Principal Terry Robinson.

It’s also controversial. Critics claim the sport promotes aggressive and violent behavior. Mainstream cagefighting matches like those at Shrine Mosque in Springfield fuel those concerns. Some call cagefighting "human cockfighting.”

"There was concern we would be setting up the Octagon here at Miller, that kids would be mixin' it up, dukin' it out. It's nothing like that,” said Robinson.

Students cannot hit each other, and no one has been seriously hurt, compared to other contact sports.

"We have a mini-camp for our football players and we've already had one knee blowout, and ankle injuries,” said Miller School District Superintendent Tony Rossetti. "Think about having a 220-pound student run down the field at full sprint and hit somebody else. That's far more violent than what's going on here during the day with some of our kids."

One mother disagrees. She didn’t want to go on the record but she believes it could cause more bullying.

Jered Gibbs, a fulltime Spanish teacher, teaches the mixed martial arts class. Gibbs, 28, holds a black belt in hapkido, and a blue belt in jiu-jitsu. He’s also getting ready for his first cagefight, which happen in Springfield, sometime next month.

Gibbs says the teens are building confidence, in a safe environment.

"In no way is it hostile. Students know they're there as a team and they're not competing against each other. They're training,” said Gibbs, "and by no means are they learning cagefighting."

So when is enough enough? A student can end a match immediately by simply hitting the mat, tapping his challenger on the body or shouting, ‘Tap!’

"Are you worried about getting injured?" a reporter asked Brenden.

"No. Everybody likes each other in here and, when you tap out, we always quit,” he said.

Gibbs' goal was to tap into the popularity of ultimate fighting, while increasing academic interest. Miller set a record for summer enrollment this year.

"It gives them a feeling of great confidence and it's very enjoyable,” said Gibbs.

It's not just guys grappling. Loren Shea, 12, is one of the girls getting a lesson in self-defense.

"I had a lot of fun with karate and I thought MMA would help me increase my knowledge of fighting,” said Loren.

Gibbs says the sparring comes with respect and camaraderie. No matter who wins or loses, the young fighters always touch fists before leaving the mats.

All parents sign a consent form for their child to take the class. As for next summer, Miller school officials will review the class to see if it will be offered again.