Everyone has something they’re passionate about, whether it’s football, cooking, reading or even stamp collecting.

For Paul Sutherland, owner and head instructor at Trojan Free Fighters, a club based in Gloucester, it’s martial arts.

He’s an inspiring figure, serving as proof that it’s worth sticking at what you love.

If you’re not a fan of puns, look away now, as it’s safe to say that Paul has plenty of achievements and experience under his belt.

These include a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, a kickboxing black belt and a kung fu black belt.

“I have over 30 years’ martial arts experience,” said Paul.

Paul is also a former professional mixed martial arts fighter, as well as a former Cage Warriors and Ultimate Combat Lightweight mixed martial arts champion.

He’s also been a UFC official judge since 2010.

“We have over 120 members of all ages, from kids to adults. We recently located to Gloucester after being in Cheltenham since 2003. I’ve been with the club since 2004,” he said.

Paul has trained many mixed martial arts and kickboxing champions, so it’s not a surprise that his club is going from strength to strength.

There are several champions currently training at Trojan Free Fighters.

“Matt Figlak, Mario Saeed, Johnny Bryant, Lawrence Tracey and Michal Figlak are all mixed martial arts title holders. Piotr Ptasinski and Jon Spoors are both kickboxing title holders,” said Paul.

“Our junior Brazilian jiu-jitsu team has won gold medals in the national championships, British open and European championships.”

The club offer a range of combat-related sports, including classes in mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which are offered to both adults and children.

The club offer a range of combat-related sports, including classes in mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, fitness, ladies’ self-defence and boxing, which are offered to both adults and children.

A fast-growing sport, mixed martial arts includes several types of both grappling and striking martial arts. Boxing, wrestling and karate are just a few of these.

Paul is definitely able to list some benefits of what he has become so good at.

“You learn discipline and self-defence, gain confidence and improve your fitness,” he said.

“We have a great atmosphere between students and instructors; it’s a very friendly environment.”

Practising mixed martial arts with Trojan Free Fighters comes with regular opportunities for its members to feel a sense of accomplishment – the club offer gradings and award belts for each new level of ability that’s achieved.

The success of the club can definitely be added to Paul’s list of achievements.

He’d like to add more to this list, though.

“I’d like to teach and promote self-defence in public sectors and anti-bullying in schools,” he said.

If you’re to take anything away from this, it should be that if you’re looking for a new hobby to be passionate about, martial arts are well worth considering.

For more information on the Trojan Free Fighters martial arts programmes, visit their website: www.trojanfreefightersgloucester.com