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POSTER BOY: Manuwa

POSTER BOY Jimi Manuwa turned down the chance to fight in the upcoming UFC event which takes place in Manchester next month but he says he is only a few fights away from gracing the MMA big league.

Manuwa’s current MMA record is six fights, six wins. The spectacular fashion in which most of his wins have come about has led to a buzz developing around the South London fighter - most have tipped for greatness.

A stand-up fighter with a monstrous left hand, Manuwa, who is current light-heavyweight champion, told the Voice of Sport that he plans to have one more fight before the end of the year. With an eye already on next year he says he wants to taste what it’s like to compete at the higher eschelons of the sport.

He said: “Normally, after I have a fight I have a month to six weeks off and then train when I have a fight coming up.

“But now where I have won a few fights, UFC have come knocking on my door, I haven’t stopped training since my last fight.

“I’ve been doing loads of techniques, Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and Thai boxing classes. My technique has really improved since my last fight.”

He added: “I got asked to fight in November in UFC but I think I am going to have a couple of more fights here and then do it next year.

“I don’t want to go there (UFC) and get chucked in the deep end and not be able to swim. I still have a lot to learn but I am almost there. I’m not that far behind, even though certain people have been in it for years, I’m like a duck to water.

“I’m fighting on the December show, the opponent looks like a tough kid but I am always up for a tear up. I love a little tear up.”

Published: 20 October 2009
Issue: 1394

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