UK try-outs for Ultimate Women Combat

UK try-outs for UWC

More action photos on this thread.

So, out of the blue the other week, I had an email asking me to coach on a new women’s MMA reality TV show.

It’s all been a bit of a blur, and we held try-outs for the UK team yesterday in Manchester. The turn out was better than we were expecting, and it was great to see so many talented female fighters on the mat together. I think it shows how we’ve come over the last few years, and the potential that female MMA has in this country. 

I was really pleased that everyone there seemed to go away having had a positive experience. It was an opportunity for everyone to get together and train with other women. At the end of the day we want to pick the best team we can. I like to win. But at the same time I also have a larger agenda. I want this project to be an opportunity to support and promote female MMA as a whole, at all levels. I want it to be, as far as possible, inclusive rather than exclusive. That’s what I think we achieved yesterday.

Of course, not everyone can be on the TV show, but by getting some of the best female talent in the UK together in one place I hope that it has created other opportunities. Already people are talking about organizing a regular women’s training and sparring session. I know it’s inspired some of those who were there to take their training further, and perhaps start to compete on the UK circuit. Women who were mainly grapplers or mainly thai boxers have said to me that they’ve now got the “MMA bug”. 

Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible – the women who came down to try out, Karl and all the guys at the gym who helped out, Tony and Andy at Warrior Promotions, the sponsors (the guys at caged steel provided some nice training gear for everyone there), the photographers and press, and everyone who was there to support. Great day all round.