We’re led to believe mixed martial arts is a barbaric, underground sport. In truth, it combines 5 Olympic disciplines and these photographs share the story of the relationships, expression and support between men in MMA fighting communities.
The work started with a gym in Liverpool which is home to people from all walks of life, from under 16s to signed pros across the 4 main promoters - UFC, Cage Warriors, Bellator and Oktagon - and everything in between. This community includes UFC star Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett, who uses his platform to speak out about high male suicide in this northern city.
This project recently found a martial arts group by chance in the Westfjords in Iceland, where a small group of men have come together, to grapple on 100-year-old mats in the mountains.
