Brad ' One Punch' PickettTeam Kaobon - Liverpool
TEAM KAOBON MMA GYM
Words and photography by Lee Whitehead
Team Kaobon is fast becoming the UK’s premier MMA gym, with fighters competing all over the world in top-flight competition, as well as a strong following locally of talent that has no intention of competing. They are a professional outfit that caters for the average Joe as much as those vying for a shot at a UFC title. The brainchild of Colin Heron (back in 2002 under the guise of Fighters & Fitness), the gym drew upon his extensive Muay Thai background and hands-on approach to physical fitness.
“I have always been a long time UFC fan, I always watched it and I have always been a fan of cross-training,” explains Heron. “Back when I was teaching Thai Boxing, we always used to do wrestling afterwards; I think it helps with clinch work, stamina and so on. When I opened a full-time academy, I was running Thai and MMA side by side, I was training professionals and MMA took off.”
Over the years, the team has grown, adding specialised instructors to the mix in order to bolster their offering and Heron has never been under any illusions that he could handle the entire work load and give the fighters the best possible tools to step into combat.
“I am not stupid enough to watch DVDs and think I can teach something, I want these guys to be the best. I want my guys to be able to submit people, knock them out and out-wrestle their opponents. I am not ignorant and the need the other coaches to do that.”
With Heron overseeing a lot of the conditioning and striking classes, he has employed highly ranked players in each of the other elements required to gain a comprehensive arsenal. Marcelo Brigadeiro is one of the top European based submission grapplers and he handles the Luta Livre training; Shane Rigby is the wrestling coach, having over 25 years of experience, including representation of the national team. Andy Aspinall is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and Juddas Clottey is responsible for boxing at the academy.
Traditionally, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the flavour of choice for most grapplers in MMA, but Heron feels that his students can really benefit from having both BJJ and Luta Livre as part of their skill set.
“In all honesty, there are a lot of differences between Luta Livre and BJJ, but I have both instructors here. Brigadeiro’s style is more finishing orientated and the BJJ is more leverage and positional, it all depends on the preference of the individual, but my guys can play both angles,” explains Heron.
The fruits of labour are visible for all to see as Kaobon can lay claim to having one of the best UFC active portfolios in the country, with names such as Terry Etim, Paul Kelly, Paul Taylor and recently, Paul Sass all on the American promotions roster.
Domestically, Kaobon have a lot of solid fighters in the wings with names like Marc Scanlon, Bamma featherweight champion Mark Adams, Ritchie Downes and the Sinclair brothers (Mick and Rob) all making waves domestically and plenty more following their ascent.
But, this is also a place to train even if you aren’t looking to compete or become a ‘Cage Fighter’ – the gym is a welcome home to students of all different walks, and Heron is keen to dismiss notions of people limping out of the door with missing teeth.
“About 10% of my gym compete, the other 90% just come to keep fit, there is always a good atmosphere, were all good friends and look after each other. I would say to anybody looking to train that it’s important to look for the right place to train, some places just like smashing people up. We’re not like that here. We train hard, but safely, most of our guys become friends for life.”
Liverpool is fast becoming a hot-bed of MMA talent and has plenty of places to train, but if you are new to the sport and looking for a place to try out, Kaobon should be at the top of your list.
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