Leslee Ojugbana Goes for the UFC

MR HOLLYWOOD – Wearside's one-man fighting machine – has taken a big step towards a prestigious title.

Leslee Hollywood – real name Leslee Ojugbana – has been put forward for the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), the world's biggest contest for no-holds-barred fighters, by his promoters, Cage Warriors.

It comes after his second knockout victory in his last two fights.

Leslee said: "I was very chuffed about it, nobody really expected it. Normally my fights go the distance, but I've had two knockouts in three weeks."

Leslee, of the Royal Courts, Thornhill, Sunderland, is a master in the skill of mixed martial arts, also known as cage fighting, which takes place in an octagonal-shaped ring in which the fighters can, as the name implies, use any of the martial arts to overcome their opponent.

The 25-year-old graduate from Sunderland University is a five times British middleweight total combat champion, as well as a professional fighter who works part-time as a doorman.

In his previous "total combat" fight, at Rainton Meadows Arena on September 22, he dispatched his opponent, from Manchester, in one minute 17 seconds.

He has been offered the chance to fight in Russia, in a promotion – the M1 Fighting Championships, but feels the UFC prospect is superior.

Leslee said: "It's the fastest-growing sport worldwide at the moment. It's totally knocking boxing out. It is a big event."

A professional for the past two years, he took up karate as a boy in Nigeria and left his homeland to live in Britain when he was just 16.

"About five years ago I started boxing training, but never had a fight. I was introduced to ju-jitsu by a friend. I took up ju-jitsu and that led to me doing the mixed martial arts."

Images: Laurence Underhill

Source: www.sunderlandecho.com