Amateur M.M.A. is currently one of the fastest growing sports in the U.K. with many people competing on events to raise money for Charity.

Potential M.M.A. fighters now have the opportunity to break into the World's most exciting Combat-Sport, Mixed-Martial-Arts as an Amateur.

Previously people had no idea of how to begin a career in M.M.A. however, much like the sport of Boxing, there is now a route via the Amateur M.M.A. format.

The Amateur format, much like other Combat-Sports has additional safety rules to protect the athletes.

Professional M.M.A. bouts compete over 5 minute rounds, for additional safety Amateurs compete over a shorter round duration.

Professional M.M.A. bouts use 4oz Gloves, for additional safety Amateurs use larger more padded Gloves, and Shin-Pads are also worn

Fighters can compete several times as an Amateur, progressing as a Semi-Pro fighter and then a Professional fighter.

Many do this, pursuing their dream of following in the footsteps of their favourite M.M.A. superstars such as the former U.F.C. Feather-Weight & Lightweight Champion Connor McGregor or the former U.F.C. Welterweight & Middleweight Champion George-St-Pierre.

Pictured below is Grant Sharples, a 'Samurai-Challenge M.M.A.' Champion, who began his fight career as an Amateur competing on a Charity fund raising event.