FINDING yourself one on one in a cage with someone who wants to cause you severe pain would be most people’s worst nightmare.
But in that cage – and with that someone – is where arguably the North East’s most successful martial artist feels most at home.
Four months ago, Ross Pearson swept all before him in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s “Ultimate Fighter” event in Las Vegas, to earn a six-figure UFC contract.
Today, though, he is loosening up for a day’s training in a chilly, no-frills gym in his native Sunderland which more than lives up to its name: Spartan.
The surroundings also bear out Ross Pearson’s nickname. Never mind the glitz and gloss of Vegas, this guy really is the “Real Deal”.
At 25, Pearson is a relatively young fighter in UFC terms, but he came of age in winning the ninth series of The Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas in June, overcoming fellow Brit Andre Winner in the final.
Having started fighting at the tender age of six when his mam took him to Taekwondo lessons, he has never looked back.
So much so that Pearson is one of the biggest names of the fastest growing martial arts sport in the world – if not the biggest physically.
For while the Fencehouses lad may pack a punch, he is officially a lightweight in the ultra-competitive, fast-growing world of UFC.
And, having cracked America, he is understandably delighted with his progress.
“To get into the UFC was a dream alone but to win The Ultimate Fighter, as prestigious as what it is, was massive for me. It was an awesome feeling to fight on a live stage in Las Vegas and a dream come true for me. Vegas is the fight capital of the world and to fight there is amazing.”
Pearson, who was an amateur boxer throughout his teens in Sunderland, became only the second Brit in the history of The Ultimate Fighter to be crowned champion and to earn the lucrative UFC deal.
The Wearside scrapper first started mixed martial arts as an 18-year-old and his dedication and desire for success has seen him reach great heights at such an early stage in his career.
After turning professional in December 2004, Pearson has claimed victory in nine of his 12 competitive fights, two of which were by knock-outs.
And Pearson currently finds himself in an intense training programme back in his home town as preparation for his next fight against American brawler Aaron Riley in Manchester on Saturday, November 14.
Riley has a wealth of experience, with 40 competitive fights under his belt, and Pearson knows he will have to be at his best to win what he describes as “the toughest fight of my career”.
“Aaron Riley is a tough competitor and is known for being able to take a beating and still come back and win. He gets in there and makes it messy and on paper it’s a very tough fight,” he added.
Pearson is putting all his efforts into November’s clash, training five hours a day, six days a week.
And although victory is his main focus, he also wants to show the fighting world exactly what he is capable of.
“I’m looking to win this fight and win this fight impressively. I’m just starting my career in UFC and I’m looking to improve and impress,” he said.
Victory would complete a fantastic year for Pearson, but he is keeping his feet on the ground, wanting to be a role model for younger kids and encouraging young fighters to stick in and follow their dreams.
“I feel like a bit of an inspiration to younger kids, and if you’ve got a dream go ahead and follow it. I just found something that I love doing and stuck at it.”
Catch Ross Pearson at UFC 105 at Manchester’s MEN Arena on 14th November.
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or watch it live on ESPN from 8pm.
