3 minute read
Fighting for Good
When nurse Marianne Yates took up mixed martial arts to raise money for charity she couldn’t have known how much it would change her life. Now she’s urging others to follow her lead.
“I love my job and being mum to my 16 year old son Jayden, but at 37 I felt physically and mentally depleted. I needed something for me and to give something back. I saw an advert for a mixed martial arts charity event and thought ‘Why not?’
I’m from a family of strong women. My mum grew up in an Asian culture but left to avoid an arranged marriage, which was rare in those days. She and my dad raised me to be resilient against racism, strong and independent. But I’m naturally a nurturer, I prefer resolution. The only person I’d ever had a fight with was my brother when we were growing up!
I hadn’t given a thought to what I was getting into. Going into a male dominated gym felt intimidating but everyone is so respectful and encouraging. The training was intense, I’d come home bruised and sore. But I became fitter and more toned.
I was humbled by what I learned about myself. MMA gives you strength and endurance but also self discipline. There’s such a strong sense of community and respect.
Fight night was very scary, but by then I’d raised £1000 for Cancer UK. My family and friends were there– I couldn’t lose.
"That didn’t stop my heart pounding as I stepped into the cage but as I fought I could hear my trainers giving me tips. Before I knew, I’d won."
I’ll never forget the feeling when my son Jayden ran into the cage and picked me up. He’s an MMA fighter too. I’ve always taught him there’s nothing you can’t achieve if you work hard. I’d say to anyone else who needs uplifting - just do it!”
What is MMA?
Mixed martial arts is a full contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. The English Mixed Martial Arts Association’s objective is to promote MMA as a sport for everyone, regardless of origin, social status, race or religion and to promote the Olympic spirit of fair play.
For more information, visit englishmma.org
Top fight
Women’s MMA was thrust into the limelight by Liverpool’s Molly McCann. When she announced her retirement this year, the BBC said Molly ‘can stake her claim as the best British female MMA fighter’. Nicknamed ‘Meatball’ because of an early job in Subway, she studied sports development at Liverpool John Moores University and rose to success and fame with Liverpool’s Next Generation MMA martial arts school.
