Four Yorkshire men are encouraging others to sign up for their own charity MMA bout. Luke Woodend, Alex Bramwell, Dominic Williams and Elliott Ripley had eight weeks of training and then fought on a show which, according to Alex, “made us each feel like a UFC star, albeit just for a day.”

Luke, 23, is from west Leeds and "knows first-hand the pain of grief and bereavement” but also “knows how getting in the cage and facing an opponent who’s a novice like me can help anyone come to terms with anything, even if it’s just the pressures of daily life which are often overwhelming.”

“My mum passed away from cancer when I was 16, and three years later, my grandma too. Nothing worse could have happened. I eventually became homeless and struggled with everything but did manage to get help to complete my apprenticeship. But grief made me lose my way, and alcohol didn't provide a permanent solution. I wanted a challenge that allowed me to improve my fitness and raise money for charity. MMA has a scary reputation, but I thought, why not? About 35 of us enrolled for free training at Bad Company gym in Bramley. We got matched with an opponent from within the group. The training was demanding, but the coaches were more than helpful, and I made loads of new mates.”

“I’d always wanted to give combat sports a go. Like many lads, I enjoy watching the UFC. It’s violent and brutal, but somehow, it’s pure and honest. In professional MMA, they allow a lot more than we were allowed, but yes, we learnt to take a punch to the face. The thought of it is worse than the reality. Believe me. I didn’t win my fight with Alex from York, but after the bout I was buzzing and glowing. I loved everything about the event, including the support from those who’d bought tickets. I was proud to raise £1190 for Macmillan Nurses who’d helped Mum and Grandma and can’t wait to get training again for the autumn show.”

Luke’s winning opponent Alex Bramwell had always admired MMA fighters who “have the courage to give it their all in the cage” and decided that he wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of experiencing his own bout.

“I found out about Ultra MMA and liked the idea of a show where each novice fights a fellow novice from their training group," explained Alex, 28, who works for an online music retailer. There’s no charge, but you must sell ten tickets minimum for the show and fundraise for a charity of your choice. I raised £290 for three charities. Mind because I wanted to help people facing mental health issues, as I have myself, but also Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Royal British Legion. All three do great work.”

“Win or lose, I was going to be on that show. Prove to an audience including family and friends but mainly to myself that I could do this. Perhaps taste just for a day how it might feel to be an MMA star. I enjoyed everything, including the gruelling training, as the coaches pushed us relentlessly to achieve. The atmosphere at the show was exciting and the bouts exhilarating and enthralling. I had a tough fight with the physically well-built Luke Woodend, who’s become a friend. How could he not when we’d punched each other very hard in the face? I was delighted to win, but Luke certainly gave me a beating. It was phenomenal.”

“Bad Company is an excellent gym providing high-quality training. Everyone in the group got on well, and it became tight-knit. But that didn’t stop us from giving the opponent what for. That’s what we wanted and what the audience expected. That said, don’t expect to see professional MMA. As an example, although we could hit in the face when standing there, there was no punching to the head of a grounded opponent.”

“The show offered a fitting end to challenging training. You need to make taking part your personal priority for a couple of months, but for me this was all part of the challenge. I’d encourage anyone to get into combat sports, whether it’s for fitness or competition, as you learn transferable skills while developing confidence.”

Hemsworth, father of one Dominic Williams, was delighted to win his first Ultra MMA bout last year and wanted “to taste the exhilaration of the cage once more". The twenty-three-year-old now wants “to build a future around MMA and use Ultra to establish myself as a fully fledged amateur fighter working towards becoming a professional fighter. I’m fully committed to that end goal, although I didn’t win this time, getting caught in the last few seconds of a brutal encounter with Harrogate’s nineteen-year-old hard man Michal Zdunek. I’ve spent considerable time watching and studying the sport. MMA keeps me focused, grounded, disciplined and able to avoid distractions. I’m also motivated to succeed by being a dad and balancing that with working as a chef.”

Dominic also raised funds for mental health charity Mind. “I’ve seen the impact of mental health struggles first-hand. I’ve lost friends and sadly also my mum, who passed away following mental health issues worsened by alcohol abuse. MMA is therapeutic for me as it allows me to raise awareness and possibly be a role model for others struggling with mental health and addiction and especially for my young son.”

“I’m in Ultra MMA to move forward and show I belong in professional MMA. Whatever the reasons motivating you to take part, I’d encourage both men and women to get stuck in and make a better version of themselves.”

Wakefield’s Elliott Ripley was one of two participants aged just 18. “The training was fun,” said Elliott, who’s an apprentice engineer. “I didn’t find it too strenuous, but you do have to commit to it. The first session you don’t know anyone, so it’s a bit daunting, but everybody’s sound, and you soon make good mates. One of whom I then knocked out in the first round of our fight, having caught him with a powerful left-hand punch. I was as pleased as punch. I’d recommend Ultra MMA to everyone from all backgrounds. It’s a great way for a boy in his late teens like me to start adult life.”

“I’d attended a show and thought, 'This looks good.' I could do it. Now I have. The aim is to raise money for charity, and I’ve supported the Dogs Trust. The training also teaches self-defence and is free. At the end of it you get to have it out with one of your new mates. Have it out, we did. Brutally. I’m now looking forward to doing more MMA and making my Ultra charity boxing debut shortly.”

Lana Reed is Elliott’s mother. “My son is strong-willed. I was nervous about him fighting in the cage, but he utilised his skills and he brought along a lot of supportive friends and family who were proud to see him win. Elliott’s physically fit, and this did him good. I’d encourage any parent to support their son or daughter with Ultra combat sports events.”

The final word belongs to Elliott. “Sign up for Ultra MMA if you’ve ever wanted to try combat sports. It doesn’t get any more real than this. The next Ultra event is in November, so volunteers have got the whole summer to get fit.”

Luke, Alex, Dom and Elliott joined 30 others in raising £11,700 for their charities. Ultra MMA events are held in various cities throughout the UK. Find dates and locations by signing up at https://www.ultra-mma.co.uk Competitors must be aged 18 or older on the date training starts.