Issue 004

June 2005

Wolfslair MMA Academy 

The North West of England is fast becoming something of a hotbed of grappling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) talent. With excellent gyms everywhere in, around and between Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, anyone who lives in this corridor of cities is guaranteed access to a decent gym. One that stands out though is the excellent Wolfslair Academy in Widnes. 

Wolfslair was formally opened in October 2004, financed and directed by a pair of successful businessmen who are big fans of MMA. With money no object, a mission to create a world-class facility was born and the results speak for themselves. The grand opening was marked with a seminar from the former Pride FC Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira, a close friend of one of the coaches at the time. 

The Academy has over 5000 sq ft of space, comprised of a large matted area covering the floor and walls (with competition-grade matting under the giant canvas), a 20ft professional-standard boxing ring and a 26ft Octagon. Lavish trimmings include the best boxing equipment money can buy, a sauna and all the necessary weight training facilities. A large mezzanine viewing gallery-cum-café is also available, as is an attached apartment, providing living quarters for coaches or visiting fighters. 

With all these luxuries, one might think it reason enough to train there, but not only are the facilities world-class, so is the team behind the coaching. The staff includes the Brazilians Mario ‘Sucata’ Neto and his younger brother Freddy. Both black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Mario is a former training partner of top fighters including ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira and Mario Sperry. A WVC tournament winner, his credentials speak for themselves, and along with his brother they provide the coaching for BJJ and MMA. 

Renowned boxing coach Tony Quigley looks after the stand up striking, and with over 20 years experience (including coaching his own son to an Olympic gold medal) his depth of knowledge complements that of the grapplers well. Indeed, such is the quality of instruction, as gym director Tony put it to me, “Its like going to a top seminar every night, but for the price of a normal class.” If this weren’t enough, on-site sports therapy is provided by Peter Burns, the chief physio of Everton Football Club. As Tony says, “If any of the guys get injured, he can be here in no-time to treat them”. 

While public classes in BJJ and submission fighting are available most nights, the real emphasis at Wolfslair is on the pro fight team they manage. With fighters such as the fearsome ‘Junior’ (the 6’4”, 140kg Monster who recently challenged Jeff Monson for his Cagewarriors heavyweight title), Tom Blackledge, Michael Bisping and more all on the roster, Wolfslair are looking to make a splash in UK MMA in the near future. This doesn’t mean their ranks are full though. They still look for prospects in the open sessions. “If a member shows promise we scrap their membership and get them on a contract and we will look after all their needs”. 

An open invitation has been extended to any and all UK MMA fighters to train at Wolfslair. Whether you want to pop down and join them for the daily fighters’ sessions or if you want to take advantage of their on-site accommodation and stay a little longer, the opportunity is only a phone call away. 

The guys behind the fight team have promised they will be making a major impact in the UK in the next few months, and while team members are regularly fighting at events such as Cage Rage and UK MMAC, the recent announcement of their role as the official Cagewarriors pro fight team means you should see the distinctive Wolfslair logo at a show near you very soon.