RAGED UK MMA 3 took place this Saturday, February 27th at MECA, Swindon which hosted a fight card of five amateur MMA bouts along with five professional MMA bouts. Although it was headlined by Swindon’s Phil Wells and Alex Brunnen, it also contained the addition of the first ever female bout on the card between Bristol’s L.J Adams and Kent’s Emma Delaney, both of whom are former Cage Warrior athletes themselves.
With the RAGED first title belt on the line, it was to be SVT’s Alex Brunnen’s night who won GOLD in the lightweight contest against Bristol’s Guy Lewis with a 36 second TKO.
Full Fight Results
Pro Fights
Alex Brunnen Def Guy Lewis Via TKO 36 seconds round 1
**New Raged UK Lightweight Title Belt Holder**
Kenton Kauppinen Def Brad Watchorn Via TKO (leg srikes) round 1
Phil Wells Def Shane Riley Via RNC 48 seconds round 1
L.J. Adams Def Emma Delaney Via TKO round 1
Krystian Gowik Def Jordan Patey Via KO round 2
Amateur Fights
Chris Bucksey Def Tom Enstone Via Majority Decision
Aaron Laleye Def Dean Hart Via Unanimous Decision
Mateusz Ginter Def Matt Thorn Via TKO (GnP) round 1
Lewis Hawkins Def Oliver Harry Campbell Via TKO (GnP) round 1
Dale Thompson Def Freddie Allen Via Unanimous Decision
*Thank you to Leigh Remedios for the information on the Fight Results
Swindon based promoter Gary Turland and Trainer Michael ‘Oz’ Osbourne will be bringing Professional and Amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) back to the town of Swindon after the success of the first two RAGED UK events last year.
RAGED UK will be taking place this Saturday, February 27th at MECA, Swindon which will host a fight card of six amateur MMA bouts along with five professional MMA bouts. Although it will be headlined by Swindon’s Phil Wells and Alex Brunnen, I can guarantee that with the addition of the first ever female bout on the card between Bristol’s L.J Adams and Kent’s Emma Delaney, both of whom are former Cage Warrior athletes, it will be these two females who will be stealing the show.
Full Fight Card
Pro Fights
Guy Lewis (70.2) vs Alex Brunnen (70.2)
Brad Watchorn* vs Kenton Kauppinen (93.9)
Shane Riley (77.1) vs Phil Wells (77.1)
Emma Deleaney (63.3) vs L.J. Adams (63.3)
Jordan Patey* vs Krystian Gowik*
Amateur Fights
Chris Bucksey vs Tom Enstone
Aaron Laleye vs Dean Hart
Mark Ince vs Mateusz Ginter
Oliver Harry Campbell vs Lewis Hawkins
Freddie Allen vs Dale Thompson
Sam James vs Kyle Bayliss
*Will weigh-in on the day with the amateur fighters
Weigh-In Video
Face offs
Tickets are £20 and £40 VIP available from all fighters, The Forum, The Khyber; alternatively you can buy online at www.swindontickets.co.uk or click on their social media pages Facebook/Twitter.
Tickets are subject to a surplus charge on the door.
RAGED UK MMA staged their second event at the M.E.C.A last night, Saturday August 1st following on from a great sell-out crowd of their first event back in March earlier this year.
Here are the quick results:
12 – Josh Collins Def Phil Wells Via GnP (Punches) 3 mins 34 seconds Round Two
11 – Alex Brunnen Def Brad Warchorn Via Unanimous Decision
10 – Craig Rawlins Def Dale Thompson Via Unanimous Decision
9 –Chris Ogden Def Jay Tovee Via Arm Bar 4 mins 22 Seconds Round Two
8 – Tom Enstone Def Danny Nash Via Unanimous Decision
7 – Guy Lewis Def Billy Glossop Via RNC 2 mins 27 seconds Round One
6 – Dave ‘NEMO’ Llewellyn Def Lee Curry Via KO 1 min 23 Seconds Round One
5 –Dean Hart Def Oliver Harry Campbell Via RNC 0.56 seconds Round One
4 – Shane Mansfield Def Tyler Thomas Via Standing guillotine 3 mins 56 secs RoundOne
3 – Nico Fabri Def Chris Esworthy Via GnP (Punches) 0.56 seconds Round One
2 – Lawrence Jordan Tracey Def Jay Thomas Via Unanimous Decision
1 –Kevin Rodzeiwicz Def Wes Thomas 2 mins 22 secs Via GnP (Punches) RoundOne
Guy Lewis will now face Alex Brunnen on Raged UK MMA 3 for the Lighweight Title
Josh Collins will now face Chris Ogden on Raged UK MMA 3 for the Welterweight Title
Brad Watchorn [5-6] will be stepping into the cage this Saturday, August 1st at Raged UK MMA 2 in Swindon, at the M.E.C.A, where he will be going into enemy territory and facing hometown favourite Alex Brunnen [3-2].
The 25-year-old from Bracknell, Berkshire is no stranger to entering ‘enemy territory’ so to speak, being a former Grenadier Guard in the Military has taught Brad that stepping into enemy territory is to be doing something you love and is all part and parcel of your job.
Finding a love for Boxing aged 8, Brad decided that is where he would first start his journey into what has now evolved into MMA, but it was not a straight path of just MMA that interested Brad.
“I started boxing when I was about 8 years old down at the local boxing gym and as I was going through my teenage years I started to get into a lot of street fights, I mean a lot, to a point where I knew I needed to go and focus on something. So I found Ian Hawkins gym and I started to train there”
Since the first time he could lace up his own Ice Skates he had always had an interest in Ice Hockey, so much so, Brad made the Professional Ice Hockey Team at the age of 15 playing for the Bracknell Bees which also enabled him to travel to Canada for 2 years to play over there and gain even further experience.
“I’ve been skating since as long as I can remember from around 5 years old. I worked my way up from the Junior set-up in Bracknell to the Pro team at 15. Ice Hockey players are of a special, different kind of breed. It’s a fast paced contact sport with a close-knit ‘family team’ vibe. From the road trips to hanging out together you are all part of a team which even extends itself to the infamous ice hockey ‘fights’ on the rink.”
Upon leaving the Military Brad now juggles working full-time as a Roofer, competing in professional MMA and also professional Ice Hockey, let alone all the training involved for both sports which leaves little to no time for any down time.
“It’s not too bad when the hockey season is on its off-season but when the season is on there is not a lot of spare time. But I always make time and spend time with my daughter no matter what. Family time is important to me.”
Fighting out of Fight Science Gym in Aldershot owned by legendary MMA fighter Nick ‘Headhunter’ Chapman and occasional visits to The Bat Cave for sessions with Brendan Flannigan, Brad is looking forward to Saturday nights event with Alex Brunnen.
“There’s been a bit of banter on social media, mainly by Alex with quite a few private messages I’ve had, which in fairness I find him hilarious. He’s a rangy fighter like myself but come Saturday I’m going to stand and bang with him”
From going from ‘The Warrior’ to ‘Bellator’ which is latin for Warrior, a name given to him by veteran fighter Ian Hawkins, come Saturday night with an army full of ‘Watchorn’ fans making their way down to Swindon one thing is for sure this is going to be one exciting, fast paced, explosive fight.
Brad would like to thank the following people:
The Fight Connection, Fight Science, Paul Dash
Tickets available from all fighters, The Forum, The Khyber, DREAMLOUNGE, Sailor’s grave or www.swindontickets.co.uk £20 Standard £40 V.I.P
RAGED UK MMA will be staging their second event at the M.E.C.A on Saturday August 1st following on from a great sell-out crowd of their first event back in March earlier this year.
With MMA coming back to Swindon, RAGED UK MMA has been able to benefit directly from securing the second show which is able to boast twelve fights, including four title eliminator bouts.
Gary Turland RAGED UK MMA Promoter (c) Point 5 Photography
The event is headlined by Swindon’s Phil Wells, training out of SVT/Scorpion Gym who faces Josh Collins from Huddersfield, training out of AVT under the tutelage of Ex-UFC Fighter Danny Mitchell.
The Co-Main event is Swindon’s own Alex Brunnen, training out of SVT/Scorpion who faces Bracknell’s Brad Watchorn who also happens to be a professional Ice Hockey Player aswell, he fights our of the Fight Science Gym in Aldershot.
Here is the remainder of the card and running order:
10 – Dale Thompson Vs. Craig Rawlins 3×3 mins Amateur
9 – Jay Tovee Vs. Chris Ogden 5×3 mins PRO
8 – Danny Nash Vs. Tom Enstone 3×3 mins Amateur
7 – Billy Glossop Vs. Guy Lewis 3×5 mins Pro
INTERVAL & RAFFLE
6 – Lee Curry Vs. Dave ‘NEMO’ Llewellyn 3×5 mins pro
5 – Oliver Harry Campbell Vs. Dean Hart 3×3 mins Amateur
4 – Tyler Thomas Vs. Shane Mansfield 3×5 mins Pro
3 – Chris Esworthy Vs. Nico Fabri 3×3 mins Amateur
2 – Jay Thomas Vs. Lawrence Jordan Tracey 3×3 min Amateur
1 – Wes Thomas Vs. Kevin Rodzeiwicz 3×3 mins Amateur
Tickets available from all fighters, The Forum, The Khyber, DREAMLOUNGE, Sailor’s grave or www.swindontickets.co.uk £20 0r £40 V.I.P
There maybe some limited tickets available on the day but could be subject to a surcharge.
RAGED UK MMA, held their first event (under their new promotion name) last night [March 7th] at MECA Swindon to a new breed of sports fan in the town.
The event which was billed to showcase local, amateur and professional fighters, was also to highlight the growing sport of MMA in Swindon.
With local gym Swindon Vale Tudo/Scorpion Kickboxing Gym being the host club, having five fighters compete on the night; which was meant to be six but 20 mins before Craig Rawlins was due to go out, his opponent Mathew Thorn, withdrew, citing a shoulder injury during warming-up the host club did not let the home fans down, securing five out of five wins.
The night was a huge success for everyone and Promoter Gary Turland really did pull out all the stops for his second show, so much so, RAGED 2 is now already starting to be matched for their summer show.
Below is my play-by-play account of all the action that happened on the night.
Disclaimer: Although every effort is given to give a clear and precise account of actual events, due to the nature of where I am seated, it is at times difficult to view every aspect of every fight through everyone’s angle, therefore this play-by-play is my account from my view.
Gary Turland RAGED UK MMA Promoter (c) Point 5 Photography
Tommy Taylor vs Jake Oliver Amateur 89kg 3×3 mins
Round 1 Jake Oliver open ups the round straight on the attack and straight in with punches, Tommy Taylor comes back with leg kicks and a spinning leg kick. Oliver goes in and clinches up with Taylor, Taylor trying to avoid this leaves his neck out and Oliver tries for a standing guillotine to no avail. (referee Nathan Webb stops action briefly as the standing guillotine was curving on Taylor’s spine which is not allowed), action continues for which both men are landing with their own shots, back and forth in some great exchanges. Oliver manages to get the takedown and is angling for a submission but Taylor is no easy feat as he himself is trying to get a submission and attempts an Armbar just as the round closes out.
Round 2 Tommy Taylor playing it smart and keeping Oliver on the end of his punches, Oliver does a spinning kick and follows through with a superman punch. Taylor gains ground control and he is on his back as Oliver is dishing out punches to Taylor’s face, he let’s Taylor stand back up and both guys once again exchange shots back and forth in this exciting fight. After a scramble the action is back on the canvas as Oliver attempts an Armbar in the final few seconds in this second round but he gives up on the submission to end the round off on top of Taylor dishing out some GnP.
Round 3 Tommy Taylor is straight out with a sense of urgency and manages to get Oliver towards the cage fence and is kneeing Oliver. Oliver is holding his own as Taylor is now trying for a single leg but the attempt fails for which Oliver returns with a great kick followed by a one, two punch combination. Taylor manages to get Oliver to the canvas but Oliver lands on top in top position and starts dishing out some GnP, Taylor rolls to his side to try to evade Oliver’s shots and ends up trying to turtle with Oliver still firmly attached to Taylor as Oliver has him in a figure four body lock, all the while still raining blows anyway he can on Taylor. Taylor manages to reverse out of the body lock position in the final few seconds of this third round to end up in top position, on top of Oliver.
Winner Jake Oliver Def Tommy Taylor Via UD
Jake Oliver at RAGED UK MMA (C) Point 5 Photography
Wes Thomas vs Dean Hart Amateur 64kg 3×3 mins
Round 1 Dean Hart is straight out and is straight in with vicious leg kicks to Wes Thomas. Thomas tries to grab Hart’s leg to take him down for which he succeeds briefly as Hart pops straight back up. Hart lands another vicious leg kick which buckles Thomas who goes to the ground and referee Nathan Webb stops the fight.
Winner Dean Hart Def Wes Thomas Via Strikes (Leg) 0.54 seconds Round one
Dean Hart at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
Jay Thomas vs Guy Lewis PRO 73kg 3×5 mins
Round 1 Jay Thomas comes out and tries to get Guy Lewis against the cage, both guys scramble with some great reversals from both and ultimately Thomas ends up on bottom in a side position, all the while punching and using short elbows, trying to gain top postion on Lewis. Thomas rolls onto his back, with Lewis in a dominant position he is pummeling on shots. Thomas is in no position to defend himself as Lewis is raining down shots and referee Nathan Webb calls a halt to the action.
Winner Guy Lewis Def Jay Thomas Via Strikes (GnP) 2 mins 31 secs Round One
Guy Lewis vs Jay Thomas at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
Guy Lewis at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
Jim Lane vs Tom Enstone Amateur 77kg 3×3 mins
Round 1 Tom Enstone is straight out first with fierce leg kicks, he then manages to take Jim Lane down leaving his neck exposed for which Lane capitalizes on and catches Enstone in a Guillotine. Enstone is trying hard to get out of the guillotine by walking round on his side which eventually pays off as he manages to escape Lane’s hold and gain’s top position, once out Enstone is not holding back as he throws down furious and vicious punches and hammer fists, he then attempts an Armbar for which is not fully locked in at first attempt so he slightly adjusts himself and then finds Jim Lane tapping to his awesome Armbar.
Winner Tom Enstone Def Jim Lane Via Armbar 2 mins 28secs Round One
Tom Enstone submitting Jim Lane Via ARMBAR (c) Point 5 PhotographyTom Enstone at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
Terry Webster vs Dave ‘Nemo’ Llewellyn PRO HW 3×5 mins
Round 1 Terry Webster comes out fast and so does Nemo but its Webster who knocks Nemo down, Nemo is down straight away and for a brief moment Webster manages to throw some leather, but Nemo gains top position, he losses position briefly but regains it, then Nemo starts to unleash his brutal Elbows, throwing punches which opens up a huge cut above Webster’s eye with vicious GnP. Referee Nathan Webb calls a halt to the action.
Winner Dave ‘Nemo’ Llewellyn Def Terry Webster Via TKO (GnP) 1 min 03 secs Round One
Nemo GnP at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 PhotographyNemo at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
Reece Pearson vs Adam Little Amateur 66kg 3×3 mins
Round 1 Adam Little is straight out with a hard leg kick to the thigh of Reece Pearson followed by a straight jab, a few more leg kicks follows by a kick to Pearson’s head, who then instantly falls face first into the canvas, Little does go off for a premature celebration and to his and everyone around’s astonishment Pearson gets back up of the floor and stands up, Referee Nathan Webb says continue and from that moment, Little is like a Bull in a China shop. He rushes over to where Pearson has just stood up, straight in with ferocious punches hoping, this time to finish the job off. Pearson attempts to grab at Little’s leg for a takedown but leaves his neck out and Little capitalizes on this and sinks in a Standing Guillotine for which Pearson has no time to ‘Tap’ too as he goes to ‘Sleep’.
WINNER Adam Little Def Reece Pearson Via Standing guillotine 0.45 secs Round One – This was my #FOTN
Adam Little putting Reece Pearson to sleep via Standing Guillotine at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 PhotographyAdam Little at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
Tyler John Thomas vs Alex Brunnen PRO 73kgs 3×5 mins
Round 1 Tyler Thomas comes in and fakes a low kick, looks to take Alex Brunnen down, pushing him up against the cage. Brunnen gains underhooks and pushes Thomas back off. Brunnen lands a front kick for which lands on Thomas’s head who again is in the middle of an attempt for another takedown of Brunnen, pushing towards the cage, Brunnen has a great position of Thomas to his left side, placing himself seated on the canvas with his left arm still positioned firmly around Thomas’s right side, all the while he is landing the odd shot with his right fist. There is a scramble as Thomas is pushing Brunnen a lot more against the cage but both fighters mange to get back to their feet. Brunnen in again with a front kick followed by a few punches, Thomas looks for yet another takedown but Brunnen is wise to his game. Both fighter’s exchange a few more punches before Thomas once again comes in, this time charging, with an attempt at another takedown for which Brunnen is pushed across the octagon and up against the cage; with his wide defence stance and tight grip of Thomas, Brunnen again seats himself onto the canvas, adjusting his position, after sensing that Thomas has left his neck out (just like he did on the last takedown attempt), rolls him slightly to his right to gain the victory via Power Guillotine.
Winner Alex Brunnen Def Tyler John Thomas Via Power Guillotine 1 min 32 Secs Round One
Alex Brunnen front kick to head of Tyler Thomas at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 PhotographyAlex Brunnen at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
Jesse Jarvis vs Phil Wells PRO 77kg 3×5 mins
Round 1 Jesse Jarvis is first out and boy he is like what a red rag is to a bull, he comes rushing out at Phil Wells, rushing him against the cage, throwing wild punches for which a few land, he attempts a standing guillotine but Wells is far to slick and the attempt fails. Wells then picks up Jarvis and slams him to the canvas for which the crowd erupt into a chant of ” Wellsy, Wellsy, Wellsy”, Wells is then in top position for where he lands vicious Ground and Pound with his elbows cutting open Jarvis. Wells carries on the onslaught of pounding and pounding, viciously until referee Nathan Webb had finally saw enough of the action and called a stop to the fight.
Winner Phil Wells Def Jesse Jarvis Via GnP 2 mins 39 secs Round One
Phil Wells damage is done at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 PhotographyPhil Wells at RAGED UK MMA (c) Point 5 Photography
RAGED UK MMA takes place this Saturday, March 7th at MECA in Swindon which promises to be an action packed night of amateur and professional MMA.
I managed to catch up with one of the co-main event headliner’s, 23-year-old, Alex Brunnen, who in his own unique words discusses with me his up-coming fight with Julian Kerr, fighting back in his hometown since his amateur career, training at The MMA Lab with Benson Henderson and Joe Murphy plus his coach/mentor and good friend Oz.
You’re going to be making your home town debut on March 7th at RAGED UK in a co-main event. How does it feel to be finally not only fighting in your home town but to be also co-main event?
Whatever the running order of the fights, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m looking to put on a performance whether I was fighting first or last.
You train out of SVT in Swindon under your mentor, coach and good friend Michael ‘Oz’ Osbourne. Can you talk me through what it’s been like for you having such a good friend guide you through your career thus far?
Haha Yeah! Me and Oz are close. When I was just getting into this sport at 16 years old, Oz was like a god to me Ahaha! He is a real fighter. He’s down! I mean, I remember this one time, after a fight some guy threw some beer in the ring at me and Ozzy jumped straight out of the ring and started ‘throwing down’ into a packed crowd; beast!
You went 3-0 as an amateur before turning pro with a current record of 2-2. Personally I feel people do not give you the credit you’re due; Having fought Joe Orrey in your first pro fight who is the current Painpit Bantamweight Champion for which you won; Nad Narimani who is now at Cage Warriors which resulted in a second round loss. You’re a guy who will rise to the challenge of a tough fight and not back away, why?
I know I haven’t fought as much as my teammates over the last few years due to personal reasons. I finally feel I’m at a stage now, where I can go to other MMA gyms and not feel completely out of my depth. Back then when I was younger, I suppose I used to think of myself as a kid and perhaps I felt as if I didn’t belong with these guys but that’s changed now.
Looking back I feel I rushed the start of my career and should have had at least double the amount of amateur fights that I had; ultimately it doesn’t really matter now though.
I’ve heard you’ve been over to The MMA Lab in Arizona to do some training. Firstly how was the whole experience; secondly did you get the chance to train and roll with Benson Henderson; thirdly tell me more about trainer/fighter Joe Murphy.
Yeah I spent 4 months in 2014 over at the MMA Lab in Glendale, Arizona. It’s a great place. That gym is a martial artists dream. I THINK it has the most UFC fighters training in a single room anywhere in the world. The amount of lightweights and featherweights there is, is unreal! Everyone trains hard as fuck and there isn’t anything that someone wouldn’t be real good at. In my opinion it is the very best MMA gym in the world. John Crouch is a 2nd degree BJJ Blackbelt under Royce I BELIEVE and he is a wicked coach.
Yeah I’ve rolled with Benson. It was not nice (in a good way), that guy is a physical specimen. He really is something different and I’ve yet to see an athlete that’s close to his calibre.
Joe Murphy is a cool guy! Real good BJJ and he’s also a big fella for the MMA weight he fights at. He caught me in some funky omoplata shit when we were rolling one time and I was thinking “what the fuckkkk”.
For those people who do not know you or who have never met you, how would you describe yourself as a person then as a fighter?
As a person? hmmm… That would be a bit biased hearing an opinion on myself.
I’d like to say fucking legendary but I’m sure someone will disagree somewhere haha!
Would you say that there are any similarities between you and a young ‘Nick Diaz’ at all, as in his fighting mentality, his confidence – which more than often is misconstrued into being more cocky and arrogant than what it really is and that of his ingenious fighting style?
Nah there’s no similarities that guy is insane!
Do you think the key to a successful fighter is self belief in being mentally prepared as much as physically being prepared, if not more so?
The fight game is 90% mental I’ve come to realise that if you’re not in it mentally as much as you can be, you aren’t in it at all!
Alex Brunnen
You’re facing Julian Kerr this Saturday March 7th at MECA, Swindon. Do you know much about your opponent or the challenges he could pose on the night?
If I remember right he said he had “perfect standup” We’ll see!
At the Pre-fight press conference I noted one of your quick-witted responses “You can be an inch taller but six feet under is quite low” looking back on that, what are your thoughts?
Haha I was having fun. I was chilling!
What can we expect to see from you on the night when you face Julian Kerr at RAGED UK?
A war.
As you’re the home town fighter, do you feel for once having a big home crowd will play a big part into the atmosphere and how you feel once those cage doors shut on Saturday night?
I’m hoping to draw the energy from the crowd and fire it into Julian through combat. It will be nice not be booed in my home town for once!
Lastly is there any sponsors or anyone you would like to thank?
Shout out to my team SVT, we train hard, we’ve really grown as a team lately too and there’s a good vibe. Shout out to Oz, and my kickboxing coach Daniel Hughes out of Scorpion kickboxing gym.
Thank you for your time Alex it’s appreciated.
You can keep up to date on Alex on his Facebook page here.
RAGED UK takes place this Saturday, 7th March at Swindon MECA.
Tickets are £20 and £40 VIP available from all fighters, The Forum, The Khyber; alternatively you can buy online at www.swindontickets.co.uk or click on their social media pages Facebook/Twitter.
Tickets will be available on the door (subject to availability)
Adam Little is a 26 year old amateur fighter from Swindon, who at the weekend will be making his home town debut at local MMA promotion RAGED UK.
Adam who is currently 2-0 and trains out of SVT/Scorpion Gym in Swindon and works full time, decided to push his own career one step further and co-train in London at Titan gym at his own expense to get the best out of his training, it also happens to be the home of UFC fighter Brad Pickett and Joseph Duffy, along with BAMMA fighter Ashleigh Grimshaw.
I got to speak with Adam about his up coming fight this Saturday, where we talk about his boxing, wrestling, Brad Pickett, plus some other exciting stuff…..take a look!
Adam Little and Brad Picket
It’s been a while since I have caught up with you, which was when I last saw you fight at ITC 8 against Wayne Alden where you won in a stunning 0.48 second TKO (GnP) victory. Can you talk me through what you have been doing since then.
Since ITC 8 I felt that my boxing and takedown defence was lacking leading up to that fight so I went away and worked on that area of my training.
I have had a couple of white-collar boxing fights in which I have won, in turn I feel that my stand up game has improved massively.
I now feel confident in myself in the areas that I have been working on, especially my wrestling aspect of my game. I just feel like I have managed to evolve my whole fighting style adding in a lot more technique to my arsenal of weapons, to fully complement what I already had in my skillset.
Working full-time, training here in Swindon at Scorpion Gym/SVT and finally finding another home at Team Titan in London. How do you find enough hours in the week to fit everything in?
It can be an extremely long week but I’m thankful that I have a good employer who lets me take time of when I need to, especially when I am in a fight camp. I also try to fit in my runs, cardio before work in the mornings so I can focus more on technique and actual fight training in the evening.
For you then, this ultimately is a long-term career plan?
For sure, I’m not here just to make up the numbers im here to win fights. I’m looking to get a few more wins under my belt and compete a lot more regularly.
You’re now 2-0 in your amateur MMA career. When do you think it will be a good time for you to turn pro and when do you think that will happen, realistically?
If everything goes to plan and this time next year I’m still doing well then I will speak to my coaches and see where we are all at.
You’re facing Reece Pearson this Saturday, March 7th on RAGED UK at the MECA in your home town Swindon, which will also be your first time fighting in front of a home crowd. How are you feeling?
I’m feeling brilliant leading up to this fight. My training has been the best it ever has been. I can’t wait to get in there and show everyone watching what I can do.
Adam Little Tear Up
Being the home town fighter, on home soil, how much does it mean to you to have support behind you?
The support is brilliant. My other fights have been out-of-town so it obviously makes it a lot harder for people to attend. This time I will have all my friends and family there and I’m sure they will raise the roof for all of the homes fighters on the card.
Training out of Swindon’s Scorpion Gym and SVT, you get to train with a wealth of combined knowledge in Michael ‘Oz’ Osbourne and Dan Hughes, along with Saturday night’s two main event fighter’s Phil Wells and Alex Brunnen. What is it like training with all that combined knowledge in your local gym?
It’s brilliant training with guys like that. They’re not just coaches they have been there and done it. I’m learning more with every session and I can not thank them enough, as well as the other lads for the time and effort they’ve put into my fight preparation.
You also stated Team Titan is part of your home aswell, which is also home to UFC fighter Brad Pickett, newly signed UFC fighter Joseph Duffy and BAMMA fighter Ashleigh Grimshaw amongst many other elite athletes to say the least; Is it quite fair to say that this training camp for your upcoming fight is going pretty well then?
Yes the training camp is going brilliantly. Everything has gone to plan and the lads in London are all at elite level. Even the amateurs down there are champions and as far as I’m concerned being on the mats with people like them is priceless.
Being mentally prepared for a fight I would say, is as paramount as much as the physical aspect of training, if not, more so. How much do you believe in having a strong mental attitude for your fights?
I think that mental strength and toughness is a massive part of the fight game. With the lads that I train with at both SVT and Titan I don’t think you have any choice but to be mentally tough and ready. Oz and Dan wouldn’t have it any other way.
Do you know much about your opponent Reece Pearson or the challenges he could pose on the night?
I don’t know a great deal about Reece, I leave that up to my team to research him but I do know a lot about myself!
Where do you feel that you will be stronger in this fight and where do you feel it may end up?
I know that I will be stronger and better in any area where ever this fight goes, therefore I know that I will win this fight where ever it ends up!
Lastly, is there any sponsors or anyone you would like to thank?
I’d like to say a massive thanks to Oz and Dan down at Scorpion/SVT, as well as all of the other lads in the gym. Also want to say a big thank you to Brad Pickett for looking after me and making me feel so welcome down at Titan. Dave Pixton, Pat Reeves and Jaime Murkin at Gracie Barra Swindon.
Lastly I want to say a massive thank you to Picture House Tattoo Studio in Chippenham for giving me some great tattoos, Better Option and Platinum Security for helping me out with equipment.
You can keep up to date on Adam on his Facebook page here.
RAGED UK takes place this Saturday, 7th March at Swindon MECA.
Tickets are £20 and £40 VIP available from all fighters, The Forum, The Khyber; alternatively you can buy online at www.swindontickets.co.uk or click on their social media pages Facebook/Twitter.
Tickets will be available on the door (subject to availability)
RAGED UK EVENT POSTER
Photo Credit 1 and 2: Adam Little/Tear Up
Photo Credit featured picture: Point 5 Photography
Swindon based promoter Gary Turland and Trainer Michael ‘Oz’ Osbourne are bringing Professional and Amateur MMA back to the town of Swindon.
After a long absence of the highly rated sport and to fill the gap in the market to showcase homegrown up and coming talent, RAGED UK is happening on March 7th at MECA, Swindon which will host a fight card of amateur MMA, along with professional MMA headlined by Swindon’s Phil Wells and Alex Brunnen.
RAGED UK EVENT POSTER
Full Fight Card
Tommy Taylor vs Jake Oliver Amateur MMA 89k
Wes Thomas vs Dean Hart Amateur MMA 64k
Jay Thomas vs Guy Lewis PRO MMA 73k
Tyler John Thomas vs Shane Mansfield PRO MMA 75k
Jim Lane vs Tom Enstone Amateur MMA 77k
Terry Webster vs Dave ‘Nemo’ Llewellyn PRO MMA HW
Matthew D Thorn vs Craig Rawlins Amateur MMA 80k
Reece Pearson vs Adam Little Amateur MMA 66k
Julian Kerr vs Alex Brunnen PRO MMA 73k
Jesse Jarvis vs Phil Wells PRO MMA 77k
Tickets are £20 and £40 VIP available from all fighters, The Forum, The Khyber; alternatively you can buy online at www.swindontickets.co.uk or click on their social media pages Facebook/Twitter.
Tickets will be available on the door (subject to availability)
Five Rounds with Emma 
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