“This year is probably my biggest year in combat sports in full time in MMA. I’ve got the World Championships this year in Mexico in July, and I’ve got the European Championships in Poland which I hope to go to both and give my all at.”
We caught up with Max to hear more about his passion for combat sport and his journey that has led him to the World Championships later this month:
Some of Max’s interview answers are summarised below:
How did your story as a combat kid start?
I first began with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when I was about six years old. It all began at a gym 10 minutes away from me every Wednesday. Later that day i had a session in Little Hulton from 6:00pm till 7:00pm, after that i began a Muay Thai class from 7:00pm till 8:00pm. I loved every single minute of it. I carried this on for another two years and then i sadly moved away.
My dad found a new karate class online, which was just round the corner from my nana. I began and ever since I’ve been there, I’ve started loving it again. Unfortunately, due to COVID, it had to close, and they couldn’t continue. After COVID, I found this new club, the people there are amazing. My coaches are amazing, I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me. So yeah, that’s where I am at the minute.
Who is your idol?
It’s always been GSP Georges St Pierre, I’ve always looked up to him as a Karate combat fighter. Poirier is a good boxer in MMA, he’s another one I’ve always looked up to, and you’ve got the big ones like Conor McGregor who I’ve loved McGregor for ages.
What have been your most recent fights and accomplishments?
Recently we did what’s called the Welsh League. They do six competitions over the year, and you get points for competing and meddling. I managed to get Silver and a Bronze. I got a Silver in international, and I’ve got a two-time gold medallist in nationals’ competition.
I’m a first time black-belt and last year in the club I got student of the year and the year before I got Student Choice. I managed to gain both in my first year with the club.
What has been a karate highlight for you?
In October 2021 I managed to grade. It was obviously a great achievement for me in combat sport. It’s a new chapter for me in combat sports where obviously it comes through as a new beginning. You’ve done six years of training and then you’ve got to start all over again. No new colours, it’s just stripes. Them stripes mean years of dedication to the sport and the art and everything.
That’s probably the best achievement you can get, through my combat sport.
Does anyone else in your family do a combat sport?
We’re all loving it as a family.
My brother has just got into combat sport as i moved to my new club. He’s now one belt from his black belt. He’s taking it either late this year or early next year.
My mum’s started doing Karate and she’s even competing. She managed to get a two-time gold national. She got a silver in international like me. My mum’s always been by my side through competing.
Who are your coaches?
My actual coach, William Pope, he’s a sixth fan. He’s been doing it since he was young. He’s achieved so much himself, and he’s helped me through some tough times, I couldn’t ask for any better.
The best three coaches Danny Cardwell, Stephen Surtees and William Pope. They’re all the best I could’ve ask for. I’ll come in on Monday and show them all the videos, they’ll all be happy to see what I’ve achieved, and they’ll be congratulating me.
Coming in, new as an apprentice at Morson Projects. I never really mentioned what I did until I got comfortable telling them what I did and ever since they’ve always loved it, asking a lot of questions, what I do? They’ve always been supportive and always still supportive.
How do you balance everything?
Coming into Morson, obviously I’m working full time, college on a Monday, I’m training four times a week. It can be easily balanced out. I’m working full time, 8am-4pm four on a normal day and I’ve got training 5pm to 8pm.
Sometimes it can be a bit hard to balance everything, but most of the time it’s okay balancing it out with training, with the gym and with work. But I’m enjoying how it is all going.
What are your goals for this year?
This year is probably my biggest year in combat sports in full time in MMA. I’ve got the World Championships this year in Mexico in July, and I’ve got the European Championships in Poland which I hope to go to both and give my all at.
I’ve been training this year extremely hard for both. My full-time goals, maybe a medal at the World Championships, European Championships, just fully building up the medal table. Potentially in a couple of years’ time, I could maybe go back to a bit of MMA and see how it goes. But I’m loving how I’m doing it at the minute.
How does it affect you mentally and physically?
Not many people understand how much it can help you mentally, physically, but the boost it can give you is amazing, especially mentally, and how much it helps me mentally get through the day knowing I’ve got this to look forward to. I’ve got training which always helps me to clear my mind and have a positive outlook that I can achieve everything, going to competitions, going on the mat, fighting someone and then coming out with that winning the adrenaline, getting that gold medal around your neck. Best feeling I’ve ever had.
A huge thank you to Morson Projects. I can’t thank them enough for supporting me, the club, me throughout work.