Jake Quickenden, one of the biggest reality TV stars in the UK, will swap the stage for the cage to face leading stand-up comedian Paul Smith in an MMA bout at Oktagon 48 on November 4 at Manchester’s AO Arena.
The two stars, who have both been fans of the sport for many years, have been in training for 10 months to progress from novices to fully-fledged fighters while touring the country for their comedy and theatre shows Joker and The Full Monty.
Their journey has been documented in reality TV show Stage to the Cage, aired on Channel 4, DAZN and Oktagon.TV (click here to watch the first episode), with the general public becoming engrossed in their hectic schedules as they balance celebrity lifestyles with intense MMA training.
Facing the toughest challenge of their lives, they are currently dedicated to meeting the weight requirement. They must reduce their weight to 77 kg, having initially started at over 90 kg.
The project will reach its climax at the event in Manchester when Jake and Paul will compete against each other under full professional rules, undertaking three, five-minute rounds with headkicks, elbows and legal submissions allowed, to see who will be crowned the winner.
We often witness celebrities and influencers participating in boxing, but this exceptional and unmissable fight takes things to a whole new level, involving the world's toughest sport, MMA.
Click here right now for further information and booking details.
Raising awareness
Both fighters are taking part not only as a personal challenge but to raise awareness of causes close to their hearts.
Quickenden, who has appeared on The X Factor, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Dancing on Ice is a big mental health advocate and wants to increase awareness of daily challenges that many may be facing but do not feel they can speak up about.
Smith is donating his full fight purse to the Weapons Down, Gloves Up charity, a boxing initiative targeting young adults to get involved in combat sports.
Also on the fight card, Aaron Aby will fly the Welsh flag with pride while hunting for gold in the biggest fight of his career when he collides with UFC veteran, Elias Garcia to crown the Oktagon MMA flyweight champion.
While Oktagon Challenge: England vs. Ireland, which showcases rising UK and Irish talents, reaches its climax with the winners of the show facing off to decide the champion.
Book your tickets now
Tickets are available via TicketMaster. Click here right now to reserve your seats for this unmissable event.
