\n Now he knows, having just competed in a novice charity cage fight organised by Ultra MMA at the O2 in Boscombe.\n<\/p>\n
\n “My partner\u2019s a boxer so I got plenty of encouragement,” said Leo.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I\u2019m now 20 but 19 at the time so glad to have competed while still a teenager, albeit an adult one.\n<\/p>\n
\n Leo and Morris in the MMA ring. (Image: James Bovington)\n<\/p>\n
\n “MMA has a fiercesome reputation and despite all the safety protocols taught it still took some courage.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I simply wanted to try something different, challenge myself, prove what I\u2019m made of, I guess.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I signed up for eight weeks training at Odyssey Combat Hub.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Before we knew it fight night arrived and 38 of us were stepping into the octagon to fight one of the other novices we\u2019d trained with.”\n<\/p>\n
\n A former student of West Howe\u2019s Bourne Academy, Leo commented that “the eight weeks training was immense. Sometimes I felt it was cruel but also fun.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Amazing might be an overused word, but that\u2019s just how I feel about the coaches and the other trainees.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Everyone felt nervous waiting for their match but also excited at the opportunity to prove we could do it.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The bout felt real.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It\u2019s the first time I\u2019d taken a punch to the head and wasn\u2019t wearing headgear.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Everyone was positive, supportive and encouraging.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Although I didn\u2019t get the win, my opponent and I were widely commended for putting on an entertaining and exhilarating performance lasting the three two-minute rounds.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Leo faced Morris McColl, 22, in the cage.\n<\/p>\n
\n Morris works with his mother, offering personal support and cares for his elderly grandparents.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I signed up after I\u2019d helped my younger brother achieve his kickboxing black belt.\n<\/p>\n
\n “He\u2019s 15 and has quite severe haemophilia and epilepsy.\n<\/p>\n
\n “His resilience is inspiring and I wanted to raise awareness of his condition.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I agree with Leo that fight night was magnificent.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It was also emotional.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Getting the win in front of family and friends attending to support was icing on the cake.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I\u2019d encourage anyone to give it a go.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Everyone will be proud of you and most importantly you\u2019ll be proud of yourself.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Training for Ultra MMA events is free, but participants must sell a minimum of ten tickets for fight night and raise at least \u00a350 for a charity of their choice.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Mine was the National Autistic Society,” explained Leo.\n<\/p>\n
\n “A close family member is autistic, so their work is close to home.\n<\/p>\n
\n “My target was \u00a3 150 but I managed to raise \u00a3325.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Taking part in the Ultra MMA challenge is about the best activity I\u2019ve ever done.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It\u2019s opened me up to a whole different version of sport and improved my general confidence and I intend to continue.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Like Morris, I\u2019d urge anyone to put aside doubts and worries.\n<\/p>\n
\n “You\u2019ll not regret it whatever the result.\n<\/p>\n
\n “On behalf of all who involved Morris and I want to express appreciation to our main coaches Kerry and Trevor from Odyssey for their ongoing training commitment to us.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Bournemouth’s next Ultra MMA show takes place on 20 November at the Boscombe venue with training starting at Odyssey the week beginning 28 September.\n<\/p>\n
\n Participants must be at least 18 years of age on the day training starts.\n<\/p>\n
\n For further information and to sign up, visit\u00a0www.ultra-mma.co.uk<\/a> or @ultra_mma on Instagram.\n<\/p>\n \n Odyssey is located on Wimborne Road, BH9\u00a02AX.\n<\/p>\n \n Did you know you can make the Bournemouth Echo your preferred source of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole news in Google?\n<\/p>\n \n This means more breaking news and the latest must-read stories from your area.\n<\/p>\n \n Here\u2019s what it means for you and how you can do it.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n