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Cambridge graduate is top cage fighter

Laura Thistlethwaite
3/ 7/2008

BURNAGE’S toughest mum will battle in front of an audience of millions after securing a big money deal on US television.

Cage fighter Rosi Sexton, 30, from Green End Road, is one of the world’s top women fighters in the world of mixed martial arts.

The sport once had a gruesome reputation for bloody, no-holds-barred brawling.

But the Cambridge graduate insists it is now a well-regulated, serious activity and significant that serious injuries are rare.

Rosi, who also has a PhD in computer science, put her hi-tech career on hold to become a professional fighter.

The 130lb fighter, who has a three-year-old son, admits that she doesn’t easily conform to stereotypes – there aren’t many mums who can lift twice their own body weight.

She said: "When I had Louis I had to give up fighting, but I only stopped training for about a year, when he was about seven months old. He doesn’t come and watch me fight, but he enjoys watching videos of me - then he plays around in the gym pretending to be a wrestler.

And luckily Rosi has managed to escape any serious injury. She said: "I’ve been pretty lucky. I have had a few minor injuries, such as dislocating my toe.

"There are risks involved, as there are with any sport, but there is a higher risk with things such as horse racing or rugby. It uses a combination of different styles, with a minimal set of rules just for safety.

"Mixed martial arts is very well-regulated and refereed. There are bumps and bruises, but serious injuries are actually quite rare.

"It is quite a big deal with an American broadcaster and some of the large networks.

"It means I’ll be able to compete against some of the best people in the world. The sport has been growing in popularity in America and Europe."

Mixed martial arts involves a combination of kickboxing and wrestling, with gruelling bouts lasting up to half an hour.

Rosi took up the sport as a hobby after moving to Manchester for her doctorate six years ago, but decided to go professional after a series of spectacular wins.

To keep in top condition, she trains up to three times a day at the Straight Blast Gym on Spear Street – where she practises grappling, kickboxing and wrestling.

The new three-fight deal with a major American broadcaster will pit her against some of the US’ top female fighters in the US.

The brawls will be broadcast to millions of households and earn her thousands of pounds.

Her opponents have yet to be decided, but the first fight is likely to take place in August.

Despite her success, she the hard-hitting mum says she will not staying in the ring long term forever and is training to become an osteopath . . . specialising in sports injuries.