Jimi Manuwa
Encyclopedia
Jimi Manuwa is an English
mixed martial artist
, who competes in the light heavyweight
division. He is currently signed to BAMMA
.
nightclubs and being imprisoned for his role in a burglary
ring. But the 28-year-old now insists he is a reformed character and is keen to get wayward youngsters off the street and into his MMA classes, where they can "learn discipline and release energy". Jimi, who moved to England from Nigeria
when he was ten, says he has been frustrated and angry ever since he was young. He told the Advertiser: "You have a lot of energy and anger but you don't know why and I think there are a lot of kids like that. "The people I hung around with were the same. They just wanted money and to have stuff but rather than work you just wanted it fast. I used to burgle from commercial properties, taking computers and stuff. I got into fights whenever I went out and I was banned from Croydon nightclubs. I feel bad for putting my family through that."
Jimi was imprisoned in 2002 for conspiracy to burgle and released in 2003. On his exit from prison, Jimi saw his best friend cage fighting and decided he wanted to start training.
After winning his first few fights, 6ft and 205lb Jimi soon built up a reputation as a fierce competitor in cage fighting, winning a series of competitions. He now wants to train youngsters in the sport, which demands participants practice mixed martial arts and battle it out in the ring. He said: "People might think it's violent but it's a sport, like boxing. You get to release energy and take your frustration out and it takes a lot of discipline. I think kids will be able to relate to me as I've come from the same place they have. When I speak to them they listen."
Jimi says he has been inspired to give young people something he was lacking when they were his age. He added: "If I'd been given this chance when I was younger I know I would have taken it, because I think a lot of young people don't know what they want to do. It gives them something to aim for."
injury where ruptured a chest muscle while bench pressing 185 kg (407+ lbs). He currently trains at Keddles Gym with Alan Keddle and Dino Miringou and at Nova Forca BJJ with Ricardo Da Silva.
As of September 2011, Jimi Manuwa is undefeated, going 9 wins and 0 losses. He has been fighting for the Ultimate Challenge MMA name since his third fight, becoming the promotion's champion in his third fight under them. He has successfully defended his title 5 times, more than any other champion in the company, past or present.
Manuwa famously turned down a contract offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship
, feeling it wasn't the right time in his career to accept it. He did state that reaching the UFC was his "ultimate goal" in the future. He was then offered to fight at the UFC 138
event, but also refused that one, citing that he hasn't competed since summer of 2010, and that "If he fought on the October card that would have been after a fifteen month layoff, which is not ideal under any circumstances. You do need to be fighting regularly to stay sharp..."
He successfully defend his title for the 5th time at UCMMA 24 - Hands of War against Nick Chapman.
. He is expected to make his debut at BAMMA 8
. He will face Frenchman Antony Rea
.
MTV UK are currently doing a documentary on MMA in the UK, with Manuwa, Jack Marshman
and Cory Tait
being filmed in the build-ups of their next fights and the training and lifestyles involved
Mixed martial arts
|
|align=center|
|Antony Rea
|
|BAMMA 8
|
|align=center|
|align=center|
|Nottingham
, England
|BAMMA Debut
|-
|Win
|align=center|10–0
|Nick Chapman
|TKO (knees)
|UCMMA 24 - Hands of War
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:14
|The Troxy, England
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|9–0
|Valentino Petrescu
|KO (Punch)
|UCMMA 14 - Invincible
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:08
|The Troxy, England
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
| Win
|align=center|8–0
|Reza Mahdavian
|TKO (Punches)
|UCMMA 12 - Never Back Down
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:19
|The Troxy, England
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|7–0
|Shaun Lomas
|TKO (Punches)
|UCMMA 9 - Fighting for Heroes
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:58
|The Troxy, England
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|6–0
|Luke Blythe
|KO (Punch)
|UCMMA 6 - Payback
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:22
|The Troxy, England
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|5–0
|Ryan Robinson
|TKO (punches)
|UCMMA 4 - Relentless
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:03
|The Troxy, England
|Won UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|4–0
|Jamie Hearn
|Submission (Guillotine Choke)
|UCMMA 2 - Unbreakable
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:49
|The Troxy, England
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3–0
|Chris Greig
|TKO (Punches)
|UCMMA 1 - Bad Breed
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:35
|The Troxy, England
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-0
|Dave Rintal
|TKO (punches)
|FX3 - Fight Night 9
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:10
|N/A
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1–0
|Tom King
|TKO (Punches)
|FCFN 8 - Full Contact Fight Night 8
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|N/A
|N/A
|
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
, who competes in the light heavyweight
Light Heavyweight (MMA)
The light heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally refers to competitors weighing between 186 and 205 lb . It sits between the lighter middleweight division, and the heavyweight division....
division. He is currently signed to BAMMA
BAMMA
The British Association of Mixed Martial Arts is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It is considered by many as the biggest MMA promotion in the country. It premièred on June 27, 2009 and was shown on the television channel Bravo...
.
Early Life
Manuwa led a troubled existence in his earlier years, as his youth was spent being expelled from school, getting into vicious fights so many times he was barred from CroydonCroydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
nightclubs and being imprisoned for his role in a burglary
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
ring. But the 28-year-old now insists he is a reformed character and is keen to get wayward youngsters off the street and into his MMA classes, where they can "learn discipline and release energy". Jimi, who moved to England from Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
when he was ten, says he has been frustrated and angry ever since he was young. He told the Advertiser: "You have a lot of energy and anger but you don't know why and I think there are a lot of kids like that. "The people I hung around with were the same. They just wanted money and to have stuff but rather than work you just wanted it fast. I used to burgle from commercial properties, taking computers and stuff. I got into fights whenever I went out and I was banned from Croydon nightclubs. I feel bad for putting my family through that."
Jimi was imprisoned in 2002 for conspiracy to burgle and released in 2003. On his exit from prison, Jimi saw his best friend cage fighting and decided he wanted to start training.
After winning his first few fights, 6ft and 205lb Jimi soon built up a reputation as a fierce competitor in cage fighting, winning a series of competitions. He now wants to train youngsters in the sport, which demands participants practice mixed martial arts and battle it out in the ring. He said: "People might think it's violent but it's a sport, like boxing. You get to release energy and take your frustration out and it takes a lot of discipline. I think kids will be able to relate to me as I've come from the same place they have. When I speak to them they listen."
Jimi says he has been inspired to give young people something he was lacking when they were his age. He added: "If I'd been given this chance when I was younger I know I would have taken it, because I think a lot of young people don't know what they want to do. It gives them something to aim for."
Mixed martial arts career
Manuwa began training in mixed martial arts in 2007 following a weight liftingWeight training
Weight training is a common type of strength training for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. It uses the weight force of gravity to oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric or eccentric contraction...
injury where ruptured a chest muscle while bench pressing 185 kg (407+ lbs). He currently trains at Keddles Gym with Alan Keddle and Dino Miringou and at Nova Forca BJJ with Ricardo Da Silva.
As of September 2011, Jimi Manuwa is undefeated, going 9 wins and 0 losses. He has been fighting for the Ultimate Challenge MMA name since his third fight, becoming the promotion's champion in his third fight under them. He has successfully defended his title 5 times, more than any other champion in the company, past or present.
Manuwa famously turned down a contract offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
, feeling it wasn't the right time in his career to accept it. He did state that reaching the UFC was his "ultimate goal" in the future. He was then offered to fight at the UFC 138
UFC 138
UFC 138: Leben vs. Muñoz was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 5, 2011 at LG Arena in Birmingham, England. The event aired on the same day, via tape delay, on Spike TV in the U.S. and live on Sportsnet in Canada...
event, but also refused that one, citing that he hasn't competed since summer of 2010, and that "If he fought on the October card that would have been after a fifteen month layoff, which is not ideal under any circumstances. You do need to be fighting regularly to stay sharp..."
He successfully defend his title for the 5th time at UCMMA 24 - Hands of War against Nick Chapman.
BAMMA
After defending his title a record 5th time, Manuwa signed a four-fight exclusive contract with BAMMABAMMA
The British Association of Mixed Martial Arts is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It is considered by many as the biggest MMA promotion in the country. It premièred on June 27, 2009 and was shown on the television channel Bravo...
. He is expected to make his debut at BAMMA 8
BAMMA 8
BAMMA 8: Manuwa vs Rea is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts on December 10, 2011, at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England.-Background:...
. He will face Frenchman Antony Rea
Antony Rea
Antony Rea is an French professional mixed martial artist. Antony is a Cage Rage veteran and has fought for Shooto, bodogFIGHT and Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki. He is notable for his fights with Ultimate Fighting Championship contenders Vitor Belfort, Marvin Eastman, Jason MacDonald, Kazuo Takahashi,...
.
Personal Life
Manuwa is currently ranked as the third biggest Light Heavyweight prospect in Europe.MTV UK are currently doing a documentary on MMA in the UK, with Manuwa, Jack Marshman
Jack Marshman
Jack Marshman is a Welsh mixed martial artist, who fights at middleweight. He is the first and current BAMMA British Middleweight Champion. He is also a member of the British Army.-Military Service:...
and Cory Tait
Cory Tait
Cory Tait is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the featherweight division. He is currently the Cage Rage UK Featherweight Champion.-Background:Cory is a natural born fighter, training in Tae Kwon Do since the age of 5...
being filmed in the build-ups of their next fights and the training and lifestyles involved
Mixed martial artsMixed martial artsMixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
- Cage Rage UK
- UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, First)
- Five successful title defenses
Mixed martial arts record
|-|
|align=center|
|Antony Rea
Antony Rea
Antony Rea is an French professional mixed martial artist. Antony is a Cage Rage veteran and has fought for Shooto, bodogFIGHT and Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki. He is notable for his fights with Ultimate Fighting Championship contenders Vitor Belfort, Marvin Eastman, Jason MacDonald, Kazuo Takahashi,...
|
|BAMMA 8
BAMMA 8
BAMMA 8: Manuwa vs Rea is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts on December 10, 2011, at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England.-Background:...
|
|align=center|
|align=center|
|Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|BAMMA Debut
|-
|Win
|align=center|10–0
|Nick Chapman
|TKO (knees)
|UCMMA 24 - Hands of War
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:14
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|9–0
|Valentino Petrescu
|KO (Punch)
|UCMMA 14 - Invincible
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:08
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
| Win
|align=center|8–0
|Reza Mahdavian
|TKO (Punches)
|UCMMA 12 - Never Back Down
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:19
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|7–0
|Shaun Lomas
|TKO (Punches)
|UCMMA 9 - Fighting for Heroes
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:58
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|6–0
|Luke Blythe
|KO (Punch)
|UCMMA 6 - Payback
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:22
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|Defended UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|5–0
|Ryan Robinson
|TKO (punches)
|UCMMA 4 - Relentless
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:03
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|Won UCMMA Light Heavyweight Title
|-
|Win
|align=center|4–0
|Jamie Hearn
|Submission (Guillotine Choke)
|UCMMA 2 - Unbreakable
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:49
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3–0
|Chris Greig
|TKO (Punches)
|UCMMA 1 - Bad Breed
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:35
|The Troxy, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-0
|Dave Rintal
|TKO (punches)
|FX3 - Fight Night 9
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:10
|N/A
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1–0
|Tom King
|TKO (Punches)
|FCFN 8 - Full Contact Fight Night 8
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|N/A
|N/A
|