Two university students from Rochdale have grappled with mixed martial arts to help causes close to their hearts.
Joe Lewis, 20, and Jayden Hughes, 19, signed up for eight weeks of MMA training before getting into the cage for fundraising fights organised by Ultra MMA.
“This was my second appearance on Ultra,” said Leeds Beckett music production student Joe, who also has a part-time job at newly promoted Rochdale AFC.
“I’d never been involved in any combat sports prior to signing up to Ultra last year for an exciting challenge. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone as well as make some new friends in Leeds. The training and participation greatly benefitted my mental health, so I committed to train for a second fight.”
“We trained at Bad Company, an MMA gym that’s well respected throughout the North. Training was gruelling in its intensity but satisfying. I left each session feeling like a better man.