After over ten years of training, mixed martial artist and life-long Radlett resident Sam Patterson has won his first UFC match in Toronto.
Sam squared up against tough Canadian hitter Yohan Lainesse on Saturday, January 20. Despite the extra challenge of facing his opponent on Canadian soil, Sam submitted Lainesse with a rear naked choke in just 123 seconds.
Sam, who now has a lightweight mixed martial artist (MMA) world ranking of 84, has come a long way from packing parcels in warehouses to fund his training sessions.
Sam said: “I managed to go professional at 21, so a bit of money started coming in. At 23, I packed it all in and started fighting and getting paid for it at Brave, a combat federation in the Middle East.”
Sam’s entry to UFC – the world’s most prestigious forum for MMA – was through the Dana White Contender Series, where his performance won him a UFC contract.
Sam said: “I’ve just got to keep winning. It took me 10 years to get here, and I’d like a good 10 years of a career in the UFC.
“Now I’m here, I’m getting paid and not just getting by. I want financial stability for me and my family, and of course I’m looking at the world title.”
UFC commentator and fellow Radlett resident John Gooden got in touch with RADLETTnews to share his praise for Sam.
He said: “Having been very close to Sam for an extended period of time, it’s incredible to see him succeed at the highest level of combat sport. I’m proud to be his teammate and his friend.
“Sam has sacrificed so much to get here. To see him now getting noticed and bringing home positive results is a privilege, and it’s been long overdue.”
Sam trains at the CrossFace Training Center in Watford and urges young people to get involved.
He said: “To anyone who’s looking to get off the streets and out of trouble, come down to CrossFace and train. Doing it changed my life.
“People think you’ve got to be a monster to fight, but I’m only a monster inside the ring. Otherwise, I’m a normal person.”
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