team colosseum - mixed martial arts training

As the Northern Cartel continues to expand, the need for a full time MMA academy for the members has become of paramount importance; with this in mind, Ian Butlin, Stephen Quashie and Matt Lodge have teamed together and obtained 7500 square feet of prime warehouse space and are in the middle of changing it into one of the biggest MMA academies in the UK.

Set in the picturesque village of Diggle, inches away from the Yorkshire border, just off the main Huddersfield Road, the academy boasts a separate BJJ room, a boxing ring, a cage, provided by Aquatech Hydroponics of Huddersfield, chill out area, reception, VT area and a huge area dedicated to weights and CV equipment; in addition, the gym will be providing accommodation for travelling instructor’s and friends, ensuring a steady stream of top MMA talent, both here in the UK and Europe and beyond.

Work is ongoing and Cartel members have been hard at work, getting the gym ready for it’s imminent opening day at the start of September — the pictures accompanying the article show the gym at the mid way stage, with more progress pictures as they occur.

By the way, the academy also sports it’s very own Gimp Pit — you’ve been warned!

Carl Fisher — Northern Cartel Press Officer

Breaking News - Gracie Barra Manchester is here!

Weeks of searching for suitable premises are now at an end, as it gives me great pleasure in announcing the new home for Gracie Barra Manchester — Quannum Gym, Diggle, Manchester. Work is still ongoing at the gym and the full time MMA academy is scheduled to open at the start of September.

The gym has a dedicated room to BJJ and classes will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening, times TBC; instructor’s will be purple belt Dan Elmer, who is currently in the US and will be back in the UK in two months, blue belt Carl Fisher and of course The Big Man Himself, Mauricao Gomes will be overseeing activities when he returns to the UK in October.

The club has the full backing of Mauricao and the welcome support of all the Barra guys at academies throughout the UK, especially the Birmingham boys, who will be showing their faces from time to time; in addition, Carl will be working closely with his many European contacts to ensure a steady stream of top class visitors to the academy, so keep your eyes peeled for future seminars with some of the best names in Europe.

For more info, contact Carl at kippa37@hotmail.com or call 07717 407687.

Carl Fisher — Northern Cartel Press Officer