Danny Dixon, aged 32, is a professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Lightweight division.

Four years ago, he founded North Wales Fight Academy – based in Llay. Now, he has returned to the area where he grew up to open a new gym.

From left: Liam Burston, MMA Coach, Oban Elliot, Welsh UFC sar, Danny Dixon, gym founder and professional mixed martial artist and Louis Anderson, ex-paratrooper and business partner for North Wales Fight Academy (Image: John Davenport)

“Bringing the gym I opened back to Deeside was always my goal,” he said.

Danny’s 20-year MMA career was born out of his house being broken in to when he was aged 11.

“I started at a local boxing gym in Shotton to make sure I could always protect my mother and family,” he said.

“As I grew older, the confidence grew and I have now had a total of 51 fights leading me to become a professional athlete where I’m still chasing my dream as one day bringing a world title back to my hometown.

“I truly believe the area hasn’t seen anything like this. Over the years I’ve helped so many people with mental health and stopping bullying and now my goal is to make the community a proper community where we all are one and look out for each other in and out the gym.”

The gym opened on January 5 and is located at Unit 6 on Deeside Industrial Estate Zone 1, on Drome Road. Welsh UFC star Oban Elliott was in attendance to officially open the new facility.

Participants pictured at the gym’s first session (Image: Danny Dixon)

Danny continued: “North Wales Fight Acadmey has already saved so many lives or changed so many for the better and my goal was always to do that for my area where my own struggles came from.

“I believe the kids need it and it will bring everyone a little bit closer and lift the area.

“There is some real hidden talent in North Wales and I think a lot of these people don’t get chance to ever show it, so it’s time to give the opportunities to do that.”

He added: “It can become home for anyone who wants to turn their life around and be part of something. It’s a gym to call home, and a family to call team.”