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Located in Erdington, Birmingham, the UTC is centered in the heart of the UK offering much more than your average UKMMA training facility. As you reach the top of the stairs you've already been enveloped in a wash of uniformed blue and yellow branding, professional logos and posters featuring the UK UFC stars of today and hopefully the future. It's impressive when just a walk into a building makes you feel like training but this is just the tip of the iceberg which is the Ultimate Training Centre. <p><span class='full-image-float-right ssNonEditable'><span></span></span>It's clear that through the array of cardio and weight machines, the boxing ring, circular MMA cage and large matted areas across two floors that the UTC is serious about preparing MMA athletes for the challenges found within the octagon. Without a doubt it has every conceivable piece of equipment that you would think of or that you would need to begin and excel within the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. This is the exact ethos of the facility and the reason behind the conception of the UTC as one of the owners Mark Hardwick explains:</p> <blockquote style='color: #999999; font-style: italic;'> <p>It's basically everything a Mixed Martial Artist needs under one roof...everything they'll need to get ready for a fight</p> </blockquote> <p><span class='full-image-float-left ssNonEditable'><span></span><span class='thumbnail-caption' style='width: 380px;'> </span></span>It's not just great equipment that makes a gym or a great fight team and after years of work, dedication and finance the UTC understand the formula and have begun to see the fruition of their efforts blossom through their collective of amateur and professional fighters, including UFC's own Vaughan Lee.</p> <p>What people don't know is that Mark and his team have been involved within MMA for some time; trying techniques and adopting new styles in a trial and error format for one reason only: the benefit of those at the UTC.</p> <blockquote style='color: #999999; font-style: italic;'> <p>We tried and tested a lot of the techniques that we show and the way we train and the way that we prepare for fights. So it's a formula that we've chipped away at for years and for the students that we are producing now, it to our knowledge fast tracks them</p> </blockquote> <p><span class='full-image-float-right ssNonEditable'><span></span><span class='thumbnail-caption' style='width: 150px;'></span></span>Everything that the UTC have chosen for the facility is for the benefit of training within MMA, including the staff and coaches. Each of these individuals are all on the same page which is so beneficial to the MMA athlete as every coach is working in unison for the advancement and development of the fighter. Advancing from the wide range of classes to the fight team means stepping up the training and gaining more one-to-one time, maximising strengths and eradicating weaknesses, as coach Rich Hall explains:</p> <blockquote style='color: #999999; font-style: italic;'> <p>The lads are hard working and get stuck in which shows on their win records. Being one of the bigger gyms we were always getting new kit and trying to implement new techniques, pushing forward. Looking after the fighters, listening to what their feedback is, paying them attention and spending time with them working on strengths and weaknesses and not necessarily just what they want to work on</p> </blockquote> <p><span class='full-image-float-left ssNonEditable'><span></span><span class='thumbnail-caption' style='width: 330px;'></span></span>Because of all this and more the UTC fight team is fast becoming a dangerous force, going to events and dominating each round, each bout and each opponent. The facility does provide everything for the occasional and recreational mixed martial artist but on the horizon for the UTC are names like Leon Edwards, Yannick Bahati, Sean Kelly and Darren Higgins; these are the next generation for the gym and for the UK.</p><p><br><span></span>When summarising the gym and our experience we have to focus on the words professional and detail. The more we look around the more we find and as one of the Front Row MMA team reads training sheets outlining routines and exercises for strength and cardio, the other is buying nutrition drinks from reception and browsing through the BadBoy and USN products in the store.</p> <p>The walls are awash with information, showing progression routes and celebrating champions. We can effortlessly talk to the MMA athletes at the UTC who are relaxed, friendly and easily welcoming. However, unlike the cliche that many gyms use as a selling point, saying 'there's no attitudes at our gym' the UTC is different. There's a definite attitude at the gym: one which is focused, one which is determined and one that makes you believe in them and yourself. Everyone at the UTC are professional and detailed to the extremities of those words and the Ultimate Training Centre, Erdington, Birmingham is a place that you should definitely take the time to visit and train at.</p> Article also available to read with pictures at <a href='http://www.frontrowmma.com/gym-feature/' target='_blank'>frontrowmma.com</a>
Front Row MMA Gym Feature!
Located in Erdington, Birmingham, the UTC is centered in the heart of the UK offering much more than your aver... Read More
<xml> </xml>All the hard work is nearly done and its the last session in the UK later tonight, flying out to Tokyo with the corner team tomorrow, I would like to say a massive thank you to every one who has helped Vaughan with his fight preparation for UFC 144, I don’t want to name individuals just in case I miss some one out but you know who you are we couldn’t have done it with out you. To all his sparring partners ,coach’s, supporters and sponsors I promise all the team flying out with Vaughan will give it 100%  and do everything in our power to help Vaughan bring back the win for you. <br><br>All the lads fighting on the fight UK card on the same night we’ll all be thinking about you, just do what you normally do when it comes to fight time and you won’t have any problems as usual you’ve all trained really hard for this, so go and give them hell. <br><br>Thanks mark.
A personal thank you!
All the hard work is nearly done and its the last session in the UK later tonight, flying o... Read More
Fight UK 6 Features 4 members of UTC’s Fight Team, So grab your tickets now for another exciting night of Mixed Martial Arts. <br><br>UTC’s <a target='_blank' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=4'>Leon Edwards</a> will be featured on the main fight card at Fight UK 6 this February. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=4'>Leon Edwards</a> who is facing of against the tough Delroy Mcdowell who currently has no losses on his record & most his wins coming via submission, this match up has all the boxes ticked to be an exciting fight. <br><br>UTC’s <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=6'>Yannick Bahati</a> is also featured on the main card at Fight UK 6. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=6'>Yannick </a>is ready to take on Team Dragons Tiahmer Lore in the Middleweight division. Yannick has not been past the first round in his MMA career and has no plans of doing so anytime soon. <br><br>UTC’s <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=19'>Sean Kelly</a> is looking to bring back the belt as he takes on Lewis Cannon for the Fight UK 6 Featherweight Amateur title. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=19'>Sean</a> always brings his A game and looks to defeat his opponents in impressive fashion. Where ever the fight goes Sean is always looking for that submission or TKO.<br><br><a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=22'>Darren Higgins</a> is taking on Joe Rice for the Fight UK 6 BantamweightAmateur title. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=22'>Darren</a> has a very similar fighting style to <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=19'>Sean Kelly</a>… Fast paced & explosive so don’t blink. <br><br>Support the UTC Fighters and get your tickets now for another explosive night of Mixed Martial Arts action. Fight UK 6 is set kick off February 25<sup>th</sup> 2012 at the Athena Arena in Leicester. <br><br>Good luck to all the fighters from all the Staff & Coaches at UTC.
Get ready for Fight UK 6 featuring 4 members of UTC’s Fight Team!
Fight UK 6 Features 4 members of UTC’s Fight Team, So grab your tickets now for another exciting night of ... Read More
UTC's <a style='font-weight: bold;' name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=12'>Joe 'Silk' Cummins</a> gives his verdict on UK MMA in a recent interview with MMA Mount.com<br><br>To view the full article<a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://www.mmamount.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=38&Itemid=83'> click here</a>.<br>
MMA Mount.com interview with UTC's Joe "Silk" Cummins!
UTC's Read More
<xml> </xml>UFC Fighter and UTC Coach Vaughan Lee front’s a national campaign for USN, Vaughan’s…Larger than life window display is on show at all major GNC stores across the UK. Vaughan was on hand at one of the stores for a personal appearance to chat with Fans about his upcoming UFC144 fight in Japan, his training and supplement advice.<br><br>“I’ve had a great day chatting with customers and fans, the campaign display looks amazing, I couldn’t believe how big they are. USN is a great brand and to be spearheading this campaign is fantastic. The supplements are a big part of my preparation for the fight in Japan they allow me to train harder and longer in my sessions “<br><br>For a large selection of USN products visit the UTC retail shop 53-59 high street Erdington Birmingham B23 6SA.
UTC Coach Vaughan Lee front’s a national campaign for USN!
UFC Fighter and UTC Coach Vaughan Lee front’s a national campaign for USN, Vaughan’s…... Read More
<xml> </xml>Two of USN's sporting heroes Vaughan Lee & Richy Sumpter will be making an athlete appearance at the GNC Store in Leicester on Saturday the 14<sup>th</sup> of January and will be involved in an in-store Promotion of USN's latest cutting edge products. Professional mixed martial artist & UFC fighter Vaughan and Triathlete star Richy with be on hand to have a picture and answer any questions you might have about their  training schedules, diet, supplement  and any other questions that you may have about their sport in general. <br><br>Vaughan who is currently on the upcoming UFC144 event in Japan on 26<sup>th</sup> February, one of the biggest ever  UFC cards outside of America in years, is  currently in his fight camp and is training hard for no doubt will be one tough fight  against Japanese fighting superstar kid Yamamoto.<br><br>The appearance will be at the GNC store, 5 Humberstone Mall, Leicester, LE1 3YB  from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 14th of January. Spend over £25 on USN products<br> and also receive a free shaker and sachets. Free sample of products will also be available on the day.<br><br>View Vaughan Lee's USN heroes page <a href='http://www.usn.co.uk/heroes/mixed_martial_arts/vaughan_lee.aspx' target='_blank'>HERE</a>
Vaughan Lee making GNC store appearance!
Two of USN's sporting heroes Vaughan Lee & Richy Sumpter will be making an athlete appe... Read More
<xml> </xml>Asim who was meant to be competing at 70 kg on night of the gladiators 10 on Saturday night in stoke but at the weigh in his opponent came in 4 kg over weight. Asim still wanting to fight even though his opponent now being a lot bigger having not made weight, after talked it over with his coaches Asim decided to go ahead with the fight anyway! <br> <br> Straight from the bell Jamie hale tried to bully Asim with his weight advantage by rushing Asim with strikes as he can in to close the distance, Asim fired in with his own shots and caught Jamie with a nasty uppercut which resulted in Jamie trying to jump guard, Asim like a flash took Jamie down and postured up in Jamie’s guard and rained down with some heavy hammer fists from the top which landed hard resulting in the fight being stopped in 33 seconds of the first round and the ref declared asim the winner by TKO. <br><br>Asim went on to say “I Just want to thank Everyone at UTC for helping me with this fight without you guys i would not be able to do it, to all my sparing partners and team mates thank you guys”<br><br>Congratulations Asim from all at UTC on a very impressive win, keep training hard and we cant wait to see you fight again in 2012.
UTC fight team ends the year with a bang!
Asim who was meant to be competing at 70 kg on night of the gladiators 10 on Saturday night ... Read More
<xml> </xml>It was a great<b> </b>night for <span style='font-weight: bold;'>Badboy</span> at the fourth annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards in Las Vegas on Wednesday, November 30<sup>th</sup> as <span style='font-weight: bold;'>Badboy</span> won the award for <b>best technical clothing</b> beating the competition (Hayabusa, Jaco, Sprawl, Venum). <br><br><span style='font-weight: bold;'>UTC</span> is proud to be Birmingham’s largest <span style='font-weight: bold;'>Badboy retailer</span>, so why not head on down and see what’s available in store. <br><br>A small selection of the <span style='font-weight: bold;'>Badboy</span> ranges we cover….Rash guards, Shin guards, Gloves, T-shirts, Gum shields, Hand Wraps, Joggers, Hoodies, Caps, Head Guards plus much more.<br><br>For our full range head on down to <span style='font-weight: bold;'>UTC</span> You can also find the full <a style='font-weight: bold;' name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='/utcshop/manufacturer.php?id_manufacturer=3'>Badboy range HERE</a><span style='font-weight: bold;'></span> and browse from the comfort of your home.
Badboy take away the Fighters Only award for Best Technical Clothing!
It was a great night for Badboy at the fourt... Read More
The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday announced the full fight card for UFC Japan: Edgar vs. Henderson (or UFC 144) slated for Feb. 26 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan & UTC's very own <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=1'>Vaughan Lee</a><span style='font-weight: bold;'></span> has just been announced that he will be fighting Japanese legend Kid Yamomoto. So there’s no time to rest and its straight back into fight training camp after UFC 138 earlier this month. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=1'>Vaughan</a> Commented ' The Tokyo card is stacked with some awesome fights, the UFC have gone all out to make this one of the best shows they have ever put on and to be part of it is so exciting its an honour to be involved and being the only Brit on the card makes it even more special. Fighting Kid Yamomoto in his home town in front of thousands of hostile fans wont be easy but i know i can rise to the occasion, its going to be one hell of a fight. Kid is well skilled in all areas and has devastating knock out power, but i have a few tricks up my sleeve that will bring me home the win from Japan. I have already started training with my team mates and they know what ive got to do to beat Kid, its going to be a brutal training camp for me over the next few months, but that’s the business i am in and it starts now' <br><br style='font-weight: bold;'><span style='font-weight: bold;'>FULL UFC144 Card - Tokyo Japan</span><br><br>Frankie Edgar (c) vs. Ben Henderson<br>UFC Lightweight Championship<br>Quitnon “Rampage” Jackson vs. Ryan Bader <br>Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt <br>Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama<br>Joe Lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis<br>Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch<br>Takanori Gomi vs. George Sotiropoulos<br>Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=1'>Vaughan Lee</a><br>Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski<br>Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso<br>Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell<br>Tiequan Zhang vs. Leonard Garcia
Vaughan set to face Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto at UFC 144
The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday announced the full fight card for UFC Japan: Edgar vs. Henderso... Read More
A fantastic finish to 2011! Flawless performances from the <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/'>UTC fight team</a> after weeks of intensive fight preparation that showed in the Athena Arena!<br><br> Featherweight, Darren Higgins (UTC) def. Callum Jones (Combat Athlete) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Darren took the fight with only a weeks notice!! Total domination in all aspects of the fight. Massive respect to Darren and shows that his dedication to his weekly training has paid off with this victory.<br><br> Welterweight, <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=8'>Ed Ansah (UTC)</a> def. James Connolly (Combat and Exercise) via Submission (Triangle) RND 2 at 2:32 controlled the fight from the first bell landing punches and kicks , second round started as the first had ended with <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=8'>ed</a> controlling the bout , at just over a minute gone of the second round <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=8'>ed</a> shot in for the take down and after securing his position <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=8'>ed</a> went for an omoplata which forced James to turn to his side ed saw this opportunity to turn this into a triangle choke which gave James no choice but to tap out and give ed the victory. <br><br> Featherweight, <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=19'>Sean Kelly (UTC)</a> def Andrew Shim (Team Wallhead) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) dominated every round over a tough fighter from Jimmy Wallheads well respected camp, <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=19'>Sean</a> finished the fight strong, showing the hard work that he has put into his fight camp paid off against his well rounded opponent. Another typical <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=19'>Sean Kelly</a> performance showing grit and determination from the bell, never allowing his opponent to settle and get into a rhythm, <a name='' target='' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=19'>Seans</a> work rate and sharpness controlled the pace of the fight from start to finish.<br><br> Bout 10 – Middleweight,<a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=4'> Leon Edwards (UTC)</a> def. Pawel Zwiefka<br> (Frontline MMA) via Unanimous Decision (26-30, 27-30, 28-29)<br><br> Due to an opponent drop out with a week to go, Leon was without a match and potentially the fight was due to be scrapped. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=4'>UTC Fighter Leon</a>, knowing that he had potentially not got a fight was very disappointed to say the least. So after some negotiating fight UKMMA promoters rallied around and offered Pawel Zwiefka As a last minute replacement. The only issue that he encountered was pawel fights at middle weight and <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=4'>Leon</a> fights at the lighter welter weight. Typically,<a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=4'> Leon </a>not wanting to have wasted the last eight weeks of fight training, the two teams agreed on a catch weight bout of 80 kg.<br><br> Come fight night Leon knew his tough polish opponent would be much bigger, but the size advantage didn’t phase our team at all. <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=4'>Leon</a> said”I spoke to my coaches and after a great training camp we came into this fight the same as usual very confident. Zwiefka has fantastic recovery ability after he seemed to be out numerous times through out the bout having taken some hard shots and one knee to the body which saw him hit the canvas,  the crowd thought the fight was as good as finished but some how he managed to survived to the end of each round which is a testament to just how durable zwiefka is'<br><br> This event finishes the year on a high for the <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/'>UTC fight team</a>, <a name='' target='_blank' classname='' class='' href='http://fighters.utcuk.com/detail.php?id=12'>Joe 'Silk' Cummins</a> commented after the show 'The guys have done fantastic this year, it really has been as success on all levels. The training and dedication that the fighters have shown to the team has been unbelievable. We are all still training hard up until Christmas and after hard earned break we will be eying up other events and potential match ups for 2012 for the fight team to fight on. They are all hungry for success right now and we want to keep that momentum going through the New Year'<br><br>Check out the Fight UK 5 Gallery <a href='media.php'>Here</a>
4 out of 4 UTC go 100% at Fight UK 5 on Saturday night
A fantastic finish to 2011! Flawless performances from the Read More