-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
Stockport flyweight MMA fighter Alex Home admires American Mixed Martial Artist Jon Jones for being the youngest ever UFC world champion and aims to emulate Jones and get his own name in the history books as a professional in the sport he loves.
“I’m 21 now,” said Home,” and I started training when I was about six. My dad was a fighter and got me into it so maybe my trajectory was mapped out. I’ve had 11 amateur fights and won eight but am now challenging the very best fighters.
“In December I went to the States on an all-expenses-paid trip to have an MMA bout in Nashville against Bryce Woerner who’s the number one amateur flyweight in Tennessee and ranked third in the US. He’s also had 11 bouts and won nine including against me. It was an intense fight on his home turf. I didn’t take a back step once and had him wrestling. He’s usually the one doing all the striking, but I proved a match in striking and learnt a lot from this encounter. I didn’t get the win unfortunately but learnt so much and fitted in some tourism.”
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Home attended Reddish Vale High and then Denton Community College and lives with his mother, older sister and younger brother. Having obtained his coaching qualification, Home teaches and offers personal training sessions at 12 Gauge MMA in Bredbury.
“It’s my second home, the best gym in Greater Manchester. I’ve always been there trained by my dad and now by chief coach Matt Thorpe. I also train at Aspire Combat Sports in Liverpool. I won two championships last year earning me the Kingdom Combat and UKFC belts.
“Alex has had a highly successful amateur career rising to third in the UK,” said Thorpe. “He recently challenged for the Aeries title in Nashville against one of the best American amateurs. He lost on a split decision in what might arguably have been Alex’s win. He starts 2025 aiming for the pro ranks. Alex has an exciting, flamboyant style and personality and will make an impact quickly as he heads to the top.”
“I plan to join the professional MMA ranks this year,” maintains Home. “It’s my passion. I’m proof that if you do something you love you’ll never do a day’s work ever. I’m not ashamed to say that I thrive on the violence and brutality in the cage. I’ll relish using knees and elbows to an opponent’s head as I ground and pound to end a fight. It can be a bloodbath. I’m looking forward to it. It inflicts pain. Of course, the opponent tries to do the same only worse to me.
“Each fighter wants to prove that physically and mentally they’re the tougher. Those attending find it exciting, exhilarating, enthralling. MMA might not be for everyone, but the truth is that deep down most love watching a fight. It’s human nature. Everyone loved fights at school circling around cheering the one you wanted to win. MMA is becoming hugely popular as Britain’s fastest growing combat sport. It’s more than a sport. We’re modern-day gladiators.”
“I’ve lots of friends and enjoy going hiking with them and exercising my two dogs. But getting that professional contract is my 2025 priority. I’m grateful to my sponsors for their generosity so want to thank Paragon Competitions, P4PMMA, Botanic CBD, Arvoworld, Hazelgrove Snooker Club and Let’s Go Retro. I’d welcome others joining Team Home. MMA’s an expensive business.”
Potential sponsors can contact Home on Instagram at alex.home1 or message HD Global Management who arranged Home’s recent America visit. If wanting to train with Alex visit www.12gaugemma.com or e-mail info@12gaugemma.com or call 0161 494 9191.