MARC BRYDEN is making his mark on the mixed martial arts circuit – just a couple of years after taking up the sport in a bid to sharpen his fitness levels.
The 23-year-old Huddersfield builder was one of four from Andy Farrell’s Milnsbridge camp to clinch victories in the Combat Challenge 7 event at Bradford.
Welterweight Bryden was joined on winners’ roster by catchweight Ben Winter and lightweight pair Sam Bates and Jonny Saville.
For Bryden, who stopped Tom Head 85 seconds into the second of three rounds, it was a third win in three fights.
“I moved to Milnsbridge, and with the gym being close by, decided to go down mainly to keep fit,” he explained.
“I’d done some ju-jitsu 10 years ago, and the more I got involved in MMA, the more I enjoyed it.
“The training’s tough and fighting can be painful at times, but it’s also pretty addictive, and I’ve had some great coaching.”
Former rugby league player Farrell has huge MMA experience, having claimed British and European titles and trained in the USA.
Striking coach is former World Boxing Federation, European Union and Commonwealth welterweight champion James Hare.
Wrestling specialist Zoltan Atal and Paul Birkhead, who fights at semi-professional level, are also on the panel.
