By James Bovington
NOVICE MMA fighters from Tameside and the surrounding area have showed off their talents at a mammoth summer show.
About 100 juniors and adults – including several prepared by Ashton-under-Lyne based Manchester Top Team – took part in the PCFC5 event held at The Hideout in Farnworth, which lasted for 14 hours!
Eight represented Lancashire after completing 10 weeks of training on this side of the Pennines, while another eight represented Yorkshire after doing a similar Couch to Cage programme at Bradford’s Strike Kings gym.
And the impact was felt by several who displayed their skills.
Luan Horton, a 16-year-old from Hyde, got a points win and said: “I’ve never been that sporty, but wanted to do something useful with an extended summer break to improve my mindset and discipline me in preparation for the next stage in life which is studying business at college.
“The training prepared me well but, in the end, it was fight or flight kicking in.
“The bout was less technical and more of an exhilarating brawl to be honest. I’ll continue training at Top Team.
Luan’s mother Suzanne added his parents were, ‘obviously a bit nervous but we’d been impressed with how he took the whole process seriously and he made us proud getting the win.’
Josh Walsh, 21, lives near Top Team’s gym and is also an apprentice joiner.
He said: “This was my second MMA bout and second win.
“I’d enjoyed watching MMA and thought I could do this so was keen to get involved via Top Team.
“They offer a high standard of training which stood us all in good stead for our bouts. Mine was described as ‘a quality display of vicious aggression.’
“Now I spend most of my time at work or training.”
“This experience has changed my life,” 18-year-old Louis Harrison, of Tintwistle, beamed.
“I leapt at the opportunity which was a big jump from the cricket I’ve always enjoyed.
“I’m now training MMA most days a week and happy to commute to Tameside.
“It’s intense. I was proud and delighted to win my match on points and am keen to become a fully-fledged amateur MMA fighter.
“It’s the best thing ever.”
Reece Parr, who works full-time at Manchester Top Team, described what their students had been through.
He said: “The novice fighters are trained by a striking coach and a grappling coach. I do the grappling.
“We teach the basic techniques of both MMA and jiu-jitsu, and the trainees get about 24 hours tuition.
“I love seeing competitors develop both their fighting ability and their personal confidence. They’re taught a lot in a fairly short time.
“MMA can be violent and frankly that’s what participants and spectators enjoy. Novices are restricted with head punches only allowed to standing opponents and only body punches are permitted to a prone opponent. Knees and elbows are allowed to the body when standing.”
Carl Prince, 44, set up Manchester Top Team six years ago and has coached a range of sports for over 20 years.
He said: “We were delighted to offer these enthusiastic young athletes the opportunity to taste combat sports.
“They can all be proud of the courage they showed but I’d particularly like to congratulate Dan Whalen for winning a particularly intense contest which demonstrated everything MMA is about.
“The event turned out to be a more modern and thankfully less bloody version of the Wars of the Roses. We’re delighted at Lancashire winning decisively 5-3.
“Our purpose at Top Team is to ensure that Greater Manchester has a professional MMA fight team that can take on the world’s best.
“Our Progress Check Fight Club shows allow our amateur fighters to build a solid record of achievement allowing them to join the professional ranks.
“Our fighter Louis Lee Scott has his 10th professional fight in Las Vegas later this month. A win will likely see him offered a UFC contract.”
Manchester Top Team has two main sponsors, Morson Group and Prestige Carpet Clean.
“We’re grateful for their ongoing generosity,” Carl added. “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 are wanting to train with Top Team for the next novice MMA show later in the year, or if you are a potential sponsor, please contact Manchester Top Team, either through Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/manchestertopteam/ or by e-mailing contact@manchestertopteam.com.
You can also call them on 07380 380635.