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Friends for strife!

21/12/2006

THE owner of an Eccles martial arts club is planning a return to the brutal world of cage fighting - after getting a little help from his friends at Bridgewater Mill.

Mark Elliott, aged 31, teaches a wide rage of martial arts at the Mill's Impact Martial Arts Academy but he has not fought for over a year.

The former national middleweight champion of cage fighting in the north east has been preparing for a return to the no-holds-barred action by learning Gracie Ju-Jitsu from Brazilian world champion Luzio 'Lagarto' Rodriguez, who coaches at Elliott's club.

Two local people have also been aiding Elliott's comeback.

Paul George, aged 44, and his 36-year-old girlfriend Tania Ridley work by Elliott at Bridgewater Mill, Eccles.

George runs the Olympic Gym where sports massage and holistics therapy expert Ridley, who lives with George in Swinton, has a treatment room.

Elliot said: "I have been training with Paul George at his gym and he has been helping me a lot with my diet and nutrition and, in return, I have been teaching him and his girlfriend some martial arts.

"He has written a programme for me which has been increasing my size, muscle condition and strength.

"That will be a huge benefit to me when I return to cage fighting. And whenever I get an injury Tania gives me a massage and helps me to make a quick recovery.

"So it's fair to say that I've made some very useful friends at Bridgewater Mill."

Elliott is planning a comeback fight within six months and his ultimate aim is to hold a title at middleweight level.

He said: "I took a break from fighting as I felt as though I needed to improve my fighting ability. I've been doing that by learning Gracie Ju-Jitsu, which focuses on grappling (floor fighting).

"I want to be fighting again within six months. I'll have a few warm up fights to get me up to speed and then I'll be looking at competing in a big tournament in London called Cage Rage. I would love to fight there and I'd like to think that I could win a middleweight title one day."

Impact Martial Arts Academy teaches four forms of martial arts - Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Silat and Gracie Ju-Jitsu.

Anyone interested in becoming a member should call: 07756 116279.