A Spennymoor mixed martial artist is preparing to represent Team England on the world stage.

Simone Abley, 26, from Spennymoor, has been selected to represent Team England at the International Mixed Martial Arts World Championships in the country of Georgia this November.

Ms Abley has performed martial arts since she was four years old and began training in MMA in 2020.

Simone Abley from Spennymoor will be competing in the MMA IMMAF World Championships later this year in Georgia. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

She said: “I’m excited because I’ve not been to a major tournament in MMA yet.

“I’ve done taekwondo since I was four-years-old and started MMA in 2020.”

Her selection followed two evaluation days with Team England.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Ms Abley said: “A week later, I found out I was going.

“There will be a few sessions with Team England and then there will be a knockout-style tournament where you fight your way to the final.

“I was so excited when I was picked because I’ve not had much booked in and I knew if I was picked for this there would be guaranteed fights.”

She currently works at a school but plans to leave in September to focus on training full-time at TFT Gym in Seaham.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Ms Abley said: “I eventually want to move to the professional ranks and then make my way to the top.

“Getting to the UFC is my ultimate goal.”

To help cover the cost of travelling to Georgia, she has launched a GoFundMe and is organising several fundraising events.

Ms Abley will host a ‘Women’s Empowerment Day’ next month at NW Fitness in Barnfield Road, a women-only gym in Spennymoor.

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The event will include a fitness and self-defence class followed by coffee and cake.

She said: “It’s important for me to run my Women’s Empowerment Day because I want to create a safe, supportive community where women can build confidence, improve their physical and mental wellbeing and connect with like-minded people.

“It’s an opportunity to inspire women to step outside of their comfort zone, learn new skills and realise they’re stronger and more capable than they think.”