Cage Rage star Abdul Mohamad makes a break for US

Name: Abdul Mohamed Weight Category: Welterweight Team: Wolfslair Gym Total Fights: 22 Professional MMA Record: 14-5-2 Semi-Professional MMA Record: 1-0-0 Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg) Gender: Male Country: UnitedKingdom Originally: Panjshir-Afghanistan.

MIDDLESBROUGH martial artist Abdul Mohamed was shot at more times than he cares to remember while growing up in war-torn Afghanistan. Mohamed, who moved to Teesside from the Panjshir Valley region of Afghanistan seven years ago, is renowned as a terrific wrestler in the sport’s circles after being a national champion in his homeland.

So it should come as no surprise that he regards the gruelling world of mixed martial arts as a cake walk in comparison. The powerfully built lightweight says fighting in a fenced octagon against highly-trained opponents who use techniques ranging from Thai boxing to jiu jitsu and wear four-ounce fingerless gloves holds few fears.

And what’s more he is good at it. Since making his debut four years ago he has won 14 of his 22 fights and is the reigning British lightweight champion with London-based, Sky Sports televised, Cage Rage. And after making a successful second defence of his belt with a majority points win over Robbie Olivier before a crowd of thousands at Wembley less than a fortnight ago, he is now set to vacate the title in the hope of taking the USA by storm next year.

Mohamed, 33, has had offers to sign for top American organisations the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is staging a show in Newcastle next month, and International Fight League. But he is planning a training stint with former UFC champion Randy Couture in the States first before deciding which path to take in his dream of becoming the best 11-stone fighter in the world. “Mixed martial arts is a hard sport but when you’ve been shot at before it doesn’t really bother you,” he said.

“I’ve seen all sorts of things in Afghanistan and lost 10 members of my family, so I’m honestly never afraid of fighting in the octagon; I enjoy it and feel ready to make the move to the big league now. “If I keep fighting in the UK I will only stay at one level and I want to be the best. “I’m a fighter and I’ll fight anywhere and the only way to become the best is to train with them and fight against them. “I’ve already trained in America once this year and none of the fighters in the gym could take me down.

“I’m keeping my options open at the moment but I really believe that if I get the right opportunity I could become the best in the world at my weight.” But he is also fast-gaining a reputation as a fearsome knockout artist after demolishing well-known Ross Pointon with a huge spinning back fist at Cage Rage in April. “I train thai boxing with Paul Hamilton in Darlington, which has really improved my striking skills,” he added.

“But I also train myself at times and work long hours as a taxi driver, which isn’t ideal. But hopefully I can become a full-time professional fighter next year.”