Words by James Bovington, images by Ryan Clark
AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE based MMA camp is celebrating punching its weight after two of its teenagers won their bouts.
Musa Shahzad and Ben King came out on top at a recent show in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
And the latter, who is just 17-years-old, puts his success down to the teachings of Manchester Top Team, which operates from its Boodle Street home.

He also hopes to become a bigger name in the octagon.
Ben, who is studying for a sports coaching qualification, said: “I’ve trained for two years but only been competing for a few months.
“I’ve now won two of my three bouts and want to be in the cage as often as possible.
“In the cage it all depends on just me. I bought some MMA gloves and went almost by chance with a mate to Top Team and got hooked on it.
“I want to be the best, a household name even.”
The Yorkshire bout was the first for 17-year-old and Oldham College student Musa, who also won his bout by unanimous decision, beating Bradford’s Mohammed Zafar.

He said: “I’m not sure where this will end up, but I’ve gained confidence and am looking forward to being back in the cage quite soon.”
The successes are the latest for Manchester Top Team, which was set up by Carl Prince five years ago.
Not only does it ensure Greater Manchester has a professional MMA fight team that can take on the world’s best, but it has welcomed fighters from across the north of England and countries including Spain, Brazil and the African nations of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
The 43-year-old, who has coached a range of sports for more than 20 years, said: “What keeps us together is the strong bond that we have as a team, irrespective of creed, intention or gender and it’s thrilling to see the progress made by young amateurs like Ben and Musa who are just starting out on what will hopefully be a successful journey in MMA.

“I’d also like to commend our pupil Ali Haidari, who’s originally from Afghanistan now living in Middleton and who won his first MMA bout decisively.”
A former member of the British judo team and now a professional MMA fighter, George Smith is gym manager at Manchester Top Team.
And the 31-year-old said of its progress: “We’ve 90 active fighters from amateurs to professional. Our evening sessions focus on amateurs from three-years-old up.
“We have many champions but one who stands out is Lerone Murphy, who is our team captain and one of the leading UFC stars. I’d describe him as the ultimate professional in MMA.
“We’re also proud of Lewis McGrillan, from Wythenshawe, who is a future MMA superstar.”
Prince and Smith are proud of what they call ‘the alternative provision linked to the gym which provides education to children who wouldn’t have a permanent place for schooling.’
They told The Correspondent: “We give them discipline and structure. Hopefully confidence to go and take on the world through martial arts, which are great for building confidence and developing skills while making firm friendships.
“Top Team is a strong community who looks after each other and try to guide them down a positive path in the gym and in life, as boys like Ben and Musa are finding out.”
Manchester Top Team, of course, needs money to do what it does and Carl said of Morson Group and Prestige Carpet Clean: “We’re grateful for their ongoing generosity.
“Our doors are open to all, whether a person’s ambition is to compete or just keen fit and enjoy what’s on offer.
“Hence our gym slogan, ‘One Team, One Dream.’”
*IF YOU want to train with Manchester Top Team or are considering sponsoring them, you can contact them either via Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/manchestertopteam/, by e-mail at contact@manchestertopteam.com or by calling 07380 380635.