Longport’s champion

by Steven Kennedy

WHILE cage fighting has in the past received a great deal of criticism, Stoke born Ross Pointon has used the mixed martial art event to gain a successful living.
Ross, now 29, runs the Gladiator Gym in Longport, having studied numerous fighting styles including Karate, Brazilian Jujitsu and Chinese hand to hand combat San Shou, while also starring in Sky Television’s cage fighting tournament The Ultimate Fighter.
“I started martial arts when I was five years old and getting bullied,” explained Ross. “The bullying soon stopped, but I just stuck with martial arts and I soon realised I was pretty good, and then I found I could make a job out of it which was when I turned professional.”
Having been named two time British San Shou Champion and UK Mixed Martial Arts World Heavyweight Champion, Ross
became one of the first European competitors on The Ultimate Fighter.
“I felt privileged to go on the Ultimate Fighter,” said Ross. “It was just a shame that I didn’t have as much experience as some of the guys who were on the show, which probably led to my early exit.
“If I could do it now, I would have won the show as I’m a totally different fighter.”
The Gladiator Gym has proved to be one of the many success stories of Ross’s fighting career, with membership growing at an alarming rate.
“Gladiator Gym is my gym. Originally I started teaching guys at my house until it got to the stage where I had too many people.
“I then found a run down building, did it up, and started teaching the guys there, and now I have had to move into bigger premises with about 50 to 60 members. Anyone can join and we always make you feel welcome.”
More information at www.gladiatormma.co.uk or call 07921 861699