22/08/2026
12 years old.
That’s how old Eesa was when he first walked through my doors as a student.
At the time, he was a young boy struggling with life, battling with his mental health and trying to find his place in the world. He needed more than just a place to learn how to fight — he needed direction, discipline, belief and people around him who genuinely wanted to see him win in life.
Over the years, I’ve watched martial arts help transform him.
From a quiet young boy who lacked confidence into a strong, disciplined and confident young man who now believes in himself and what he is capable of.
And the achievements speak for themselves.
🥇 Ranked No.1 in the UK for his age & weight.
🏴 Representing England.
🌍 Competing at the IMMAF Youth World Championships — the biggest amateur MMA tournament in the world.
But as his coach, the thing I’m proudest of isn’t a ranking, a medal or a fight.
It’s the young man he has become.
People see the fighter when he steps into the cage. They don’t always see the years of struggles, setbacks, difficult days, sacrifices and hard work that came before it.
I’ve always said that coaching is about much more than creating champions. If you can use martial arts to help a young person become more confident, disciplined, resilient and prepared for life, then you’ve achieved something far greater than any trophy.
Eesa, you’ve already come a long way — but your story is only just beginning.
From a 12-year-old kid looking for direction to the No.1-ranked fighter in the UK preparing to compete against the best young fighters in the world.
Whatever happens inside that cage, I’m proud of the person you’ve become.
Now it’s time to show the world what all those years of work were for.
We came this far for a reason. Now we’re coming for gold, Insha’Allah. 🥇🌍🏴
