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​Nine-Year-Old Schoolboy Believed To Be World’s Youngest Cage Fighter

​Nine-Year-Old Schoolboy Believed To Be World’s Youngest Cage Fighter

Despite being just 4ft 3, Alfie frequently goes up against opponents much larger and older than him.

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Believed to be the world's youngest cage fighter, Alfie Williams is putting us all to shame by having achieved more than any of us probably will in our lifetimes - by the tender age of nine.

Yup, while most of us can't even commit to a light jog every week, Alfie is determined to one day become a world champion MMA star like Conor McGregor. Having won his first fight in just 22 seconds, the youngster has since emerged triumphant from 15 out of 20 bouts.

Despite being just 4ft 3in, Alfie - who hails from Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire - frequently goes up against opponents much larger and older than him.

Alfie's trainer Ross Pointon even says he knows plenty of grown adults who wouldn't dare take on the mini-McGregor in the cage.

But as well as that, Alfie's dad, construction worker Chris Williams, said the sport has transformed his son from a bit of a loudmouth to a focused, disciplined and respectful young man.

Alfie won his first fight in just 22 seconds.
Caters

Chris said: "Alfie absolutely loves cage fighting. He hates bullying and always stands up for his mates. If it came to it he could take a good hit and give a good hit.

"He can get me in a head lock very easily, but the sport teaches him respect, so I know he'd only do that as a last resort.

"He's a very active child but the sport has brought a huge amount of discipline to him."

According to Chris, Alfie has always been a pretty competitive kid, having first started out with kickboxing at the age of four.

He then moved on to taekwondo when he was six, going on to become a world champion.

In April 2018, he then started training at Gladiator MMA Gym in Stoke-on-Trent, which is run by his now-mentor and trainer, Ross, a former MMA champion in his own right.

Ross is also a former MMA champion in his own right.
Caters

Ross, 34, said: "Alfie came to me almost a year ago. He's become so much more outgoing. He's become so much braver, he loves the sport and he's so passionate about it.

"He's such a strong young man, I have so much respect for him and all the children who walk towards that cage.

"I call him 'big man' because it takes so much courage. I know grown men who wouldn't dare do what Alfie does.

"He comes here after school five times a week and is here for almost two hours at a time. He's become more focused, fitter, stronger and more confident. We don't just teach him how to fight but also life skills.

"I teach him about the mistakes I've made and try to pass knowledge on to him and the children who come here. This is a sport that can totally turn people's lives around."

Alfie started out with kickboxing at the age of four.
Caters

Alfie took part in his first MMA fight in June last year, after just four months of training. Amazingly, he won the bout in just 22 seconds.

Chris said the sport has completely transformed his son for the better, explaining: "He was a bit mischievous but since he's been taking part in the sport, his teachers have said he seems a lot more focused and determined and knows what he wants from life.

"It was incredible to see, he was so focused and disciplined.

"It can be quite time consuming but he loves it. I enjoy watching him and seeing how well he does.

"I get nervous when I watch him in the ring but it's enjoyable and always amazing to see him once he's won medals.

"There's a lot of sportsmanship and respect in the cage. You'll fight like hell then shake each other by the hand.

"He enjoys the sport and learns so much from it. I take him training and to all his competitions.

"At the end of the day it's not about me, it's about him. It's what he wants from life so I'll help him all the way.

"Ross has taught him discipline and self-respect but also respect to other people. Alfie seems a lot more together than most kids his age."

Yeah, probably a lot tougher than many adults, too...

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: News, UK, MMA