Almost 40 year old grumpy old cynic who has been involved in martial arts non-stop for 18 years or so. Starting out in boxing and Muay Thai, I competed. poorly, built up a fairly poor record and then started getting interested in refing, judging and coaching. Eventually got graded to red grade in Muay Thai and was instructing the beginner’s class at Naresuan Muay Thai in Stockport, Cheshire. Got licensed for as a referee and Judge for Muay Thai under the BTBC.... hated refing... to much to do... like juggling jelly and focused on judging.
Around 1999, started wondering if that UFC stuff was still going, I remember watching it back in 1993. Looked on the internet, found SFUK and found Defence Unlimited. Coached by "Kali" Phil Wright, I trained there for 6 months.. it was pretty poor and I ended up RNCing the coach.... I thought there must be better places? Defence Unlimited is where I first met Matt Thorpe
Anyway, it closed down and Phil said I should try the Colosseu...