Professional MMA fighter Ross Houston delighted with progress of Highland Martial Arts Centre in Inverness
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Highland Martial Arts Centre owner and professional MMA fighter Ross Houston says he is proud of how far the club has come.
Recent weeks have given plenty of evidence that the Inverness outfit are becoming a force in the world of mixed martial arts.
Jamie Macdonald, who fights professionally at light heavyweight, picked up a first round stoppage to get his hand raised.
Luke McDowall went to Kingussie for his Muay Thai debut, also winning by stoppage.
Joe Peter-Lee rounded off a busy 2022 by challenging for the Cadets Five Nations title in Lincoln, but fell just short this time around to see his record change to 4–1.
Matthew Macleod joined Macdonald on the card in Barnsley, picking up ever-valuable experience in an ultimately unsuccessful outing.
Also getting more ring-time were youngsters Olly Thompson, Archie Thompson and Redgie Hingston, who were in Liverpool for jiu-jitsu bouts.
“Considering we started off so small – it used to be we would get out a handful of times a year, but two weeks ago we had five different groups of competitors doing different martial arts all around Britain,” Houston, a former world champion himself, said.
“It just shows how far the sport has come, and how much the club has grown. We’re smashing it.
“Jamie completely dominated Robbie with superior wrestling and finished him with ground and pound, which is rare.
“Luke is an experienced striker, but it was his Muay Thai debut. It was an absolute clinic, and anyone who has trained with Luke will tell you he’s a young savage. Nobody was surprised – he fights at 62kg, but he’s probably one of the hardest hitters in the gym.
“Joe Peter-Lee fell short this time, but it has been a really successful, busy year and he picked up a belt along the way – this would have been his second belt.
“With Matthew, Olly, Archie and Redgie, a lot of the time when you’re fighting as an amateur it’s just about getting experience, and that was more in the bag for them.”
