MMA cage fighters hoping to raise thousands for charity with special event

Charity Cage Wars is offering beginners the chance to receive eight weeks free MMA training, before competing in an event for charity.

After training, participants are matched up against a competitor from the same program to compete in an MMA bout in front of a live crowd.

The event is scheduled to take place in the AJ Bell stadium on 20 November.

Ticket sales from the event will all be given to support UK charities such as Cancer Research UK and Shelter UK.

Charity Cage Wars encourages participants to set up a Just Giving page, to receive sponsors. This allows the participants to choose their own charity they want the proceeds to go towards.

Participating is promoted as a “once in a lifetime experience” and an opportunity to “change your life and do something extraordinary”.

Competitors who signed up for the event began their training in October at Fight Hub gym in Tamworth.

Sam Smith, one of the organisers of the Charity Cage Wars programme, is an MMA trainer at Fight Hub.

She said: “This is providing a great chance to introduce people to the world of mixed martial arts.

“They have a full fight camp and cut weight just like a professional – the average person does not get to do that.

“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for people to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.” 

Sam explained the benefits from training and competing in martial arts.

“The people that do this, it gives them a goal,” she said.

“They gain confidence, get fitter and learn how to defend themselves. It’s also a great experience to try and challenge yourself.”

Reece Owen, an MMA trainer, said many people who take part in MMA improve their mental and physical health as a result.

“You feel a good sense of fulfilment when teaching, because you feel like you’re making people’s lives better,” he said.

“People come in, lose loads of weight and get really healthy.

“They benefit mentally also. You see people who come in severely depressed or have severe anxiety, they train and suddenly their symptoms go down.

“I started martial arts when I was around 11or 12, and it’s very much shaped who I am as a man.”

Reece said beginners starting the sport need to stay headstrong as early training can be challenging

“You need resilience to do well in this,” he said.

“You’re never going to be the best in the room when you first go to train. Chances are you’re going to get beaten by everybody. But you can’t get down on yourself, you’re never good at anything when you first start.”  

The event is estimated to generate over £10,000 in ticket sales, with further money being raised through participants individual sponsors.