Ultimate Fighting By Helen Thompson

Last updated at 17:41, Friday, 31 October 2008

Newly crowned world champion Martin Thompson could be just a phone call away from appearing in the UFC.

Top of the belts: Martin, left and Kevin Thompson from Whitehaven with Ian Chambers, the owner of the Powerhouse Gym where the brothers do their strength training

Thompson, who clinched the Strike and Submit heavyweight world championship at the weekend, has beaten most of the top mixed martial arts prospects in this country.

And his brother Kevin, also an ultimate fighter, believes a UFC contract could be waiting round the corner for Martin.

“He has beaten most of the top fighters in this country, and that would be the next step,” admitted Kevin.

Martin, just 23, took just 16 seconds to defeat former UFC star Colin Robinson in the clash in Newcastle and claim his fifth title.

The Wath Brow Hornets player is now rated as number one in the UK and was third in Europe ahead of the bout.

The next big step for Martin would be to get the call from the UFC, in America, but he is patient about securing his dream.

“I am just waiting to see if it will happen,” said Martin. “There are not many others in the UK for me to beat.

“I got a call to say the UFC were watching me to see how things go so all I can do is wait and see.”

Martin, along with brother Kevin, have been involved in MMA for five years and they have racked up the wins between them.

Martin currently holds European titles at both heavyweight and light heavyweight in the Strike and Submit competition and also British heavyweight belts in Cage Gladiators and Ultimate Force.

Kevin, 27, who is also training with the Great Britain Community Lions rugby league side, has two titles, both British light heavyweight, for Strike and Submit and also Total Combat.

And he is set to try and clinch a third as he takes on Denniston Sutherland for the Ultimate Force British light heavyweight title at Doncaster Dome.

This is a tough sport and the brother train up to six times a week in order to get fit to fight.

They train under the guidance of Ian Chambers, of the Powerhouse Gym, at Hensingham, twice a week and he works on their strength and conditioning, plus nutrition.

Then it is on to their jujitsu workouts with Trevor Cunningham at the Grapple & Strike club, on Bransty, which they fight out of.

And finally they also work on their boxing technique, with a third coach, Paul Wilson.

“We are really grateful to all of our coaches and sponsors and also to our training partners who come to the club and help us out,” said Kevin.

The next fight for Martin will be when he takes on Rob Broughton at the end of November to defend his Cage Gladiators title at Liverpool.

First published at 11:23, Friday, 31 October 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk