Care worker looks to bring the fight to competition

Roxanne Lewin from Walsall is aiming to be one of 20 finalists in the MMA TV’s Find a Star competition.

The competition is open to men and women aged 18 and over who haven’t stepped into the ring before and have the time to learn the ropes of the full contact combat sport, which is often known as cage fighting.

The competition required applicants to send in a video application, along with contact details and an image, with 20 contenders selected to undergo a medical after applications close on December 11.

They will then work with a sports scientist and complete a set training programme before special Bootcamps early next year, after which the Find A Star champions will be crowned.

Roxanne said she started boxing at the age of 18 and became a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA) through watching Ronda Rousey and Michael “Venom” Page.

The 30-year-old said taking up the sport was a step out of her comfort zone, but was a great way to conquer any fear she might have had.

She said: “It’s a big thing getting into a ring and fighting, but you have to cut out any fear and do it with passion if it’s something you like and want to do well.

“It’s also a challenge combining it with my day job as I can work a 10-hour shift, then go straight to the gym, so it’s tiring, but I really enjoy doing it.”

Roxanne said she wanted to become one of the 20 finalists and said she wanted to take it seriously as she hoped to become a fighter on a full-time basis.

She said: “I enjoy training and this is a great opportunity to push myself and my skills to the next level.

“I should have done this years ago and I thought that if I don’t do this now, I never will, so it’s a big thing for me to make a career change such as this.

“I hope I can inspire people to think that it’s never too late to go for something and not be scared of doing it.”

To find out more about the competition, go to mmatv.com