Essex MMA talent Leigh Mitchell says he feels like he’s heading to the ‘next step’ after securing his first professional win in spectacular style at Cage Warriors Academy South East 24 in Colchester.
Witham's Mitchell, a product of the powerhouse BKK Fighters Gym, submitted the more experienced and much bigger Rico Biggs via guillotine choke in the main event of the show last week, in a bantamweight dust-up.
It was the first pro win for decorated amateur Mitchell (now 1-1), who lost his debut in the paid ranks last year when he broke his hand throwing the first punch, leading to an enforced break from training.
And he stepped up from flyweight to 135lbs to do it, out-wrestling and out-grappling vaunted striker Biggs, who came in with a 4-1 record, en route to am impressive second round submission.
"I could not be happier about it," Mitchell said, speaking to Katie Hunter of MMA UK. "I sat out for a little while, obviously my pro debut didn't go my way, and in the gym I wouldn't class myself as a pro fighter because I hadn't won a pro fight.
"Now I've got a pair of winning yellow (Cage Wariors) gloves, I've got a pro win to my name and it feels like it's pushing me to the next step."
He added: "That submisson, the arm in guillotine, I probably can't even count how many times I drilled that. If someone gives me their neck, I feel comfortable enough to stick that choke on and I'm taking their head home in my training bag!
"I didn't quite have the grip together but he kind of wriggled out of it and then shot himself back in a bit deeper and I knew I had it.
"He was a really tough fighter to be fair, a massive guy as well. I'm the shortest guy in the gym, everyone's bigger than me so I'm used to being the smaller man but I can chuck my weight around as well as theirs!"
Now Mitchell, the former amateur Cage Warriors Academy flyweight champ, just wants to get another fight and win under his belt as quickly as possible.
He said: "I can't wait to perform for everyone again. It's such a buzz, I missed it so much. Hopefully I'll get back in there before the end of the year or next year.
"I felt so much different at bantamweight - no crazy cuts killing me and I just felt strong."
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