A Guide to Cage-Fighting

To the outsider, it may sound like an event where wild animals are unleashed upon one another in a ferocious battle within an enclosed space, however cage fighting is a highly complex and technical sport.

Although initially it is received as a violent and unnecessary form of exercise, it is extremely engaging and has a huge global following.

It consists of a mix of techniques in martial arts, boxing and grappling, with the fighters succeeding due to the vast array of such abilities they demonstrate.

Karl Tanswell, a Mixed Martial Arts Coach says, "It's the original Olympic sport.... It is the ultimate athletic endeavour." (BBC.co.uk)

This sport is not for the faint-hearted, for it requires a high degree of stamina and physical prowess.

General health has to be kept in tip-top condition, with diet and additional forms of exercise playing a huge role in the fighter's all-round well-being.

Those who are contestants in the sport are instructed to closely monitor their weight, for they compete within weight categories. Thus, guzzling burgers and full-fat milkshakes student-stylee are a no-go area!

Whilst cage fighting is better known in the US, it is steadily gaining recognition here in the UK.

There are annual and monthly fights held in competitions such as Cage Rage and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships), in which competitors from around the world come together under one roof to fight it out to the top.

Tim Newman, a professional cage fighter from Newport, South Wales, speaks to Beanzine about his interest in the sport:

Beanzine: Hi Tim. So you've been involved in cage fighting since a young age, how did you get into the sport?

Tim Newman: I originally competed at a high level in basketball, but after seeing a few cage fights on TV I was instantly hooked.

My main inspiration came from watching young children training in Thai boxing, in Thailand, and this lead to training in a camp where I could improve this stand-up aspect of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and improve my cage fighting in general.

When I came home I searched everywhere for a club and eventually came across a tiny club outside Newport, where I have been training ever since.

I thoroughly enjoy cage fighting because there is so much to learn you'll never get bored.

It's the original Olympic sport.... It is the ultimate athletic endeavour.

Karl Tanswell, MMA coach

The experience and the intensity of fighting in a cage is second to none and I wouldn't give it up for the world.

BZ: What do you most enjoy about it and why would you encourage people to get involved?

TN: I enjoy the technicality of the sport and the many ways you can win, for example 'knock out' or 'submission'.

I would definitely encourage people to try the sport out because it is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports you can do.

I would recommend it to anyone. Not many people know about it, so to raise awareness of it would be great!

BZ: You compete in cage fights around the country on a professional level, are you ever frightened of sustaining a serious injury?

TN: I've never really hurt myself but in fact serious injuries in cage fighting are rare, contrary to public opinion.

Compared to the amount of injuries you can sustain from rugby and boxing, cage fighting is relatively tame (in my eyes at least). No matter how much I do hurt myself the enjoyment of being involved in the sport overrides the fear every time.

BZ: How can people find out which places conduct the sport in their local area?

TN: Go on MMA forums such as CageWarriors.com to find out places that do put on training sessions, or for more information in general, visit AngrrrManagement.com

There are profiles on lots of the fighters, including me, and you can find out how we all got into the sport.

BZ: Are the prices charged affordable?

TN: Yes. The prices charged are no more expensive than a gym session or exercise class. It's the most rewarding sport I've ever undertaken, so I urge you to try it out.

BZ: Thanks Tim and good luck in the future

So if you feel like a challenge and trying out something entirely new, this is the sport for you.

Despite being male-dominated, cage-fighting welcomes girls as well into the various training programmes it offers.

I suggest calling round a few of your local leisure centres to find out whether they schedule classes in the sport and if so, whether they are set at a level to suit your personal ability.

Alternatively, you can search the websites recommended above.