A student paramedic from Halifax stepped into the cage for a charity mixed martial arts fight, emerging victorious and raising hundreds of pounds for a humanitarian cause. Tayyib Sarwar, 22, took on the challenge to test his own physical and mental limits and raised £850 for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Charity Event Raises Thousands
Sarwar was part of a group of 33 fighters who collectively raised a combined total of £11,700 for various good causes. He trained for months before competing in the special event designed for beginners.
Sarwar said: “I found out about Ultra MMA which arranges training and then puts on a show where each novice fights a fellow novice from their training group. There’s no charge, but you must sell 10 show tickets and fundraise for your chosen charity.”
Mental and Physical Benefits
He found the strict discipline required for the sport provided an excellent release from the daily pressures of his medical studies. Alongside his martial arts training, Sarwar also regularly competes in the equestrian sport of tent pegging with his two horses.
Sarwar said: “I wanted to improve both my mental clarity and physical fitness. Participation proved a powerful outlet for stress given the demands of studying paramedicine. The discipline, focus, and structure MMA brings has helped me stay grounded and motivated.”
Victory in the Cage
Despite forming very close friendships with his training partners, they did not hold back when the time came to compete. He defeated his opponent, Matty Rayment, with a first-round guillotine choke.
Sarwar said: “The MMA show was just fantastic and a fitting end to challenging training. You need to make taking part your personal priority for a couple of months but that’s all part of the challenge.”
He would encourage anyone to get into combat sports whether it’s for fitness or competition as you learn transferable skills while developing confidence.
Upcoming Events
Ultra MMA returns to the Village Hotel Leeds North on November 28 with training beginning in September. Competitors must be aged 18 or older on the date training starts. Sign up at: https://www.ultra-mma.co.uk
