If you want excitement, watch Kerry Hughes fight.
Don’t just take my word for it though – watch her absolute barnburner of a brawl with Clemence Schreiber at BCMMA 16 back in July. You won’t regret it.
She won the BCMMA bantamweight title with that showing, which she defends for the first time against Zarah Fairn Dos Santos at BCMMA 17 in Colchester on December 3.
Having only started Muay Thai back in 2011 to lose weight – and shedding 45kgs – she’s now one of the most explosive talents in women’s MMA in Europe.
She boasts a 3-1 pro record, including a highlight reel knockout of multiple-time Muay Thai world champion Amanda Kelly, and has plans to reach the very top of the sport.
“I spent all day being choked and I really didn’t like it!” Colchester’s Hughes, 31, recalls of her first day of MMA training. “But the guys at BKK Fighters persuaded me to stick with it.
“I like to think that I’m young enough to make an impact in the sport – I don’t think it’s out of the question I could reach the UFC, given the right attitude and commitment.”
That attitude and commitment was never on display more than during her slobberknocker against Schreiber, who took everything that the heavy-handed - and heavy-footed - Hughes could throw at her in a three round classic.
“I really believe that she might be a zombie,” Hughes, who’s ranked third in the UK in the 61kg Muay Thai division, joked.
“Either that or related to the Terminator!
“Some of the shots I was hitting her with would have dropped full-grown men. It’s given me some food for thought though.
“Before, when I went full-pelt at someone, it achieved what I wanted to achieve, but this time I got minimal reaction from it.
“I should have gone for more takedowns, but I got caught up in trying to knock her out.”
Hughes, an Inspector in the Met police, is now training hard at BKK and at Anytime Fitness with coach Steve Byerley for her title defence against BAMMA veteran Dos Santos.
And she explained that she looks to be tested in every single fight she has.
“I prefer being the underdog like I was against Amanda Kelly, then proving everyone wrong,” she said.
“I’ve never taken a fight say ‘you’ll definitely win’ because it doesn’t do anything for me and my progression.”
Of the BCMMA 17 event, Hughes added: “I’d say to people come along and bring the family and the kids – let’s get the sport more well-known and show that it’s not human bear-baiting.
“It’s a skilled sport with phenomenal athletes.
“It’s a pleasure to be competing on BCMMA 17 and I’m looking forward to putting on a show in front of the home crowd.
“As for what to expect, we’re going go out and punch each other in the face! I’ve not been in a boring fight yet.”
Tickets for the event, at Charter Hall, starting at £30, are available now at www.bcmma.co.uk.
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