MONTHS of training will come to fruition on Sunday night, when Brighton Hill’s Neil Attridge will step into the cage for his first ever Mixed Martial Arts fight.
This will be the end of six month journey and is part of the internet reality television show Wimp 2 Warrior.
This the brainchild of Englishman Richie Cranny, who now lives in Australia and has produced four seasons down under and is now looking to take it worldwide.
Head coach in Britain, Lee Aylett has been the driving force behind the first series in the United Kingdom and Attridge has really enjoyed being a part of it MMA is the ultimate fighting experience, where nearly everything goes and as part of the show non fighters in six months are turned from wimps to warriors and ready to fight.
Sunday night sees the first series reaches its climax with two fight cards at York Hall in London, which will run from 2pm until 6pm and then 6pm to 10pm.
Attridge is fifth fight of the eight schuduled for the evening bill and will face Damien Shury. He is not his original opponent, as he left the series, so the Basingstoke man is now fighting someone who has fought before.
So the 36-year-old will start as underdog for a two round contest at 77kg weight.
Attridge, who was private in the army is now a delivery driver for Yodel, and talking about what has been a brilliant experience he said: “I was in the army and having left I had no structure in my life. This has certainly given this back to me as I need to train every morning in Feltham, before I work."
The 36-year-old added: “I have also lost a lot of weight and really feel good about myself again. It has been a real challenge and I am really looking forward to fighting. I now just hope I am not knocked down in the opening seconds as the guy I am fighting has more experience than me.”
Family and friends will be at the famous boxing venue to cheer him on.
Anyone else who would like to purchase tickets can do so by using the following link eventbrite.co.uk/e/wimp-2-warrior-series-1-uk-finale-tickets-25788185156
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here