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MOORE: Profile on Bryan Creighton ahead of BAMMA 11 Debut
Oct 31, 2012 - 8:15:43 PM MOORE: Profile on Bryan Creighton ahead of BAMMA 11 Debut

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Contributor

Trying to make it through the professional ranks of MMA is an incredibly tough way to make a living. Very few earn enough money to be able to train full time; especially those not fighting with top organisations like the UFC. Many fighters on the UK scene hold down a regular job to supplement their fight income; even established champions like BAMMA Lightweight Rob Sinclair.

Being in the British Armed Forces is one such job perfectly suited for any aspiring young fighter. Firstly, the Forces actively encourage feats of physical and sporting excellence. It's great for public relations, especially with a sport like MMA; where the watching demographic are usually the same age as those the Forces want to actively recruit.

26 year old Bryan Creighton is a prime example of everything I've just written in my introduction. Bryan has just signed for BAMMA and will make his debut for the promotion on Saturday the 1st of December, fighting Dawid Farycki in Birmingham, England. He is also currently serving with second Battalion The Duke of Lancaster Regiment, something he's done for the past five years, whilst also continuing to train and compete in the world of Martial Arts.

With a strong background in a variety of different disciplines including Muay Thai (70 fights), Thai-boxing, Jiu-Jitsu and amateur boxing (36 fights); Bryan is a former WAKO Kickboxing and Thai-Boxing featherweight champion, bronze medalist at the WMF Muay Thai World Championships and he also qualified for Taekwondo Olympic trials in Manchester earlier this year; just failing to make the cut for Team GB.

Bryan has recently made the transition into professional MMA, winning his first fight by unanimous decision back in July, he's now 2-0. So much training and dedication requires the full support of his employer, and in the words of Bryan: "They are 100% behind me as I am representing not only the battalion, but the entire service. As MMA is evolving rapidly, it is good to bring the aspects of MMA fitness to the Army world."

Bryan is set to deploy to Afghanistan in March 2013, his second tour in 2 years. Hopefully he'll be located near Lashkar Gah, and therefore able to train in his free time with John Smith of LKG MMA, a team I covered for Torch earlier this year. Win or lose in December, it's time to start focusing on the day job straight after, so Bryan can ensure he's fully prepared for every eventuality he might encounter, in the most dangerous place on earth.

For now the training for his December fight intensifies, and under the spotlight of a sold out National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, this is a huge opportunity for him to prove the sacrifices have been worthwhile. Bryan knows he couldn't have made it this far without the support of others: "I would like to thank my fans, thank my friends and family for their belief in me, my Battalion, Bodytorque Strength & Conditioning, Dead Fast Clothing, Sapphire MMA and TFL Sports Agency."

Every single one of them will be willing him on to victory in December; a perfect early christmas present before he heads to the Middle East in the New Year. If you are interested in sponsoring Bryan ahead of his upcoming BAMMA fight; please message me on Twitter and i'll happily pass the information on to him.

You can watch Bryan in action using the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/creighto2006/videos


Follow me on Twitter; @MMATorchDan