The second leg of the Combat Sports Open Trials 2006 will be held on Sunday 21st May at Hereford Leisure Centre. The Open Trials is the UK's longest running Amateur Mixed Martial Arts event and is where the stars of tomorrow are born.

Over the next few weeks we will introduce you to some of the competitors taking part in the next leg of this year's competition.

Name: Adrian Dimberline
Team:  PFS Stafford
Weight:  104kg
Height: 6.4ft
Date of Birth: 6th March 1983
Town: Stone
County: Staffordshire
Country: England

Could you tell us a bit about your Martial Arts background?

I started martial arts around the age of nine, as most people were doing round then I studied Karate, only for a few lessons until a knee injury put me out for quite some years. I moved from martial arts to Athletics, until about three and a half years ago when I got back into martial arts, and studied JKD Streetfighting, using the Progressive Fighting System. I then developed an interest into MMA about two years ago, and the rest is history.

Could you tell us about some of the competitions you have entered in the past and any titles you hold?

The only competitions I have had is in the Open Trials, I do intend to enter the Grapple and Strike events this year and any other smaller amateur events I can get my hands on.

Can you tell us about your first experience of Mixed Martial Arts? What did you think of it?

My very first experience was bit of a trial by fire, I studied MMA privately with my instructor Chris, I had no experience and Chris had worked the door for about 10 years at this point, we were both wearing white and by the end of the first hour we were both wearing red. To answer the question, it was great!

When did you begin training in Mixed Martial Arts?

Two years back now, I started training for competition at the start of last year for the Open Trials.

What/Who has been your most significant influence in your Martial Arts training?

Of course the main influence has been my instructor, who constantly develops his game and is always bringing something new to the table. The other is the like of Frank Mir bringing small-man’s Jiu-Jitsu to the Heavyweights, and also Andri Arlofski offering high levels of conditiong, something rarely seen at this weight.

Who do else do you train with?

I do not train regularly with any one else, although I do try to travel a bit and get to other clubs when I can, and when ever Dan Inasanto comes over for a JKD seminar I will always get in on Eric Paulson’s lessons.

How would you describe your fighting style?

Gentle Ground n Pound. I love the ballistics of the wrestling game, and the subtlety that Jiu-Jitsu brings, merging the both as we do in our training gives me the ability to bounce between the two when the fight dictates it.

Do you have any favourite techniques?

If I can ever get one I wouldn’t think twice about a pick up and dump. But of course there's always the heel hook......

Could you tell us a little about your experiences in the Open Trials?

I've had eight fights now in the Open, might win one this year!

My very first fight in the Open Trials didn’t last long. It was against Hayden Buckingham and it was a triangle choke that finished me off. After that I decided to jump down to light-heavy and I just felt weak at the weight so I jumped back up to heavy. I had a good fight with Mark Timberlake at the end of year, I couldn’t walk for about three days after that, but that’s only spurred me on to pull my thumb out and provide some action this year!

What are your MMA aspirations for this year?

I intend to enter all the Open Trials and take my place in the final. I'd love the experience of fighting a person the size of Matt Male, he's a strong guy and always pushes the fight so it would be a great learner for me. I also intend on entering the Grapple and Strike in South Wales and getting into the final on that as well.

Do you one day hope to turn Pro?

Oh yes! The thought of training of six to eight hours a day is just heaven to me, The rush I get from just two hours a day is phenomenal! But the biggest attraction to this is being my own boss, and taking my fate into my own hands.

Is there anything that you would like to add?

I'd just like to say what a well organised events the Open Trials are. Its a friendly atmosphere, the guys are easy to get on with, I haven’t got attitude of any one of them, and its the perfect stepping stone for anyone to get to semi-pro or pro.

If I can do it, anyone can. So if any one's given it a thought and not followed it through, all I can say is there is no better way to test what you know.

If you would like to enter this competition, or buy tickets for this event, please see:
Combat Sports Open Trials 2006: 2nd Leg