Willenhall MMA gym celebrates seven athletes selected for England national team
Intensity MMA, a community-focused martial arts gym in Willenhall, is celebrating the remarkable achievement of having seven of its athletes selected to represent England at the prestigious International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships later this year.
Five junior athletes will travel to Abu Dhabi for the Youth World Championships in July, while two senior competitors will compete in Tbilisi, Georgia, in October. This incredible success highlights the exceptional standard of coaching and the dedicated pool of talent being nurtured at the club, which has been open for just four years.
About the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF)
The IMMAF is the official global governing body for amateur Mixed Martial Arts. Founded in 2012, its purpose is to develop and regulate the sport worldwide, from grassroots to elite amateur competition. The IMMAF World Championships are the highest level of competition for amateur athletes, providing a crucial platform for fighters to test their skills against the best in the world and a vital stepping stone for those aspiring to a professional career. Being selected to represent a national team at an IMMAF event is the pinnacle of achievement in amateur MMA.
The gym is led by Head Coach Dan Cassell, a former professional MMA fighter who is passionate about developing talent and building a positive community hub.
Dan Cassell expressed his immense pride, saying: "When I opened the gym four years ago, this was the vision, but I never imagined it would happen so quickly. There has definitely been a boom in the sport, but the most important thing is the standard of our athletes. We have adults and juniors competing with and beating some of the best fighters in the country. The experience our athletes will gain from these championships is invaluable, and I’m incredibly excited for both events."
The adult team heading to Georgia in October features two seasoned competitors. Owen Cartridge, 27, from Willenhall, will compete at 97kg, while Callum Deakin, 23, from Wolverhampton, will fight at 74.8kg, representing England for the second time.
Reflecting on the achievement, Owen Cartridge said: "It’s a massive honour to represent the nation and Intensity MMA on the world stage. Callum and I have been on this journey for a while, and we’ve loved trailblazing for the juniors. It’s so brilliant to see this new generation of young athletes coming through and following in our footsteps."
The five junior athletes selected for the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi are:
Lewis Green (11, Wolverhampton): The reigning under 32kg British MMA Champion and bronze medalist from the IMMAF European Championships in Serbia will compete in the under 31kg category.
Santiago Lopez (10, Wolverhampton): Making his debut for Team England in the under 40kg category.
Alfie Fellows (13, Tipton): Also making his England debut, competing in the under 37kg category.
Georgina Green (12, Wolverhampton): Set for her international debut in the under 48kg division.
Bella Newell (12, Moxley): Will also make her first appearance for England, competing at under 52kg.
Coach Dan Cassell is keen to encourage more local people to get involved in the sport. "We are a gym at the heart of the Willenhall community, and we are proud to be representing our town on the world stage. MMA is a fantastic sport for building discipline, confidence, and fitness. We invite anyone who is curious to come and see what it’s all about."
Intensity MMA offers a free trial for all new members. To register or find out more, please visit the gym's website at intensitymma.co.uk.
