Issue 048
April 2009
Welterweight standout, ‘Judo’ Jimmy Wallhead (15-5-0) is without doubt one of the most under-rated and hardest working fighters in the UK.
Alongside his Rough House colleagues, the tough-as-nails Leicester warrior has dedicated his life to making a successful career in MMA. Wallhead notched up an impressive three-fight win streak in 2008 and is more determined than ever to break into the big time over the coming months.
Where are you now?
I’ve just finished training at Leicester Shoot, my third session of the day. We had sprawl and brawl this morning at Bushido, full MMA really, as close as it can get in hard sparring. Then conditioning at the Leicester Tigers [Rugby Club] and then literally straight to Leicester Shoot from there. It’s not ideal having them back to back, but it’s the only way we can fit it in around each other, so we make do.
What do you remember from your first fight?
Not much! Just being an absolute mess of adrenaline. He come out with a poor shot, I took his back and choked him out, pretty straightforward really (laughs). I hate to watch my old fights, they make me cringe!
What is the toughest fight you have ever had?
I think the Jason Tan fight was the toughest fight. We both had bad leg injuries. I had hurt my posterior cruciate ligament; it was fucked, I couldn’t walk or anything. I had to have my leg braced to stop it from hyper-extending. He had a knee injury going into it, he shot in on me after about 10 seconds and his knee blew out. We both couldn’t use footwork or anything, so it turned into a toe-to-toe war and we basically just stood there and traded. That was a tough fight, I had my nose bust; it was just a hard, hard fight.
What is the hardest punch you’ve ever landed?
I hit Tom Haddock with an overhand right and he hit the canvas and slid backwards! I looked at him and thought he was out, but when his head hit the canvas, he seemed to come back into consciousness! That was crazy, the hardest I ever hit anyone.
What has been your proudest moment so far in MMA?
I think the [Fabricio] Nascimento fight was my favourite win, I was happy with my performance in that fight, big time. I did everything correctly, perfect game plan and the crowd got behind me like they never have before. That was for a Channel Five documentary, ‘High-Maintenance Husbands’. It’s going to be great when that comes out because I look really, really good!
After a few career setbacks, what pushes you to train so hard?
I’ve been doing this for three and a half years now, and after everything that I’ve sacrificed, I think it would be a waste not to see it through. I’ve had a few knock-backs, everyone gets them, so I’ve just got to stick with it and success will come eventually. That’s why I keep doing it.
Jim Wallhead spoke to Jim Page
...
