A 20-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent, who had a difficult childhood, has shared how training for a charity MMA fight allowed him to channel his anger into a positive experience.

"I didn't sign up just to fight, I signed up to try to help myself," said Tommy Simpson-Shaw describing his charity bout on the recent Stoke Ultra MMA show held at Fenton Manor Sports Complex last November.

Tommy spent two months training at Stoke Combat Academy in Hanley in order to compete in the Ultra MMA show and raise money for charity.

For 20-year-old Tommy, who works locally at an office interiors company, the experience was about much more than training to fight.

He said: "I had quite a traumatic childhood, I was sent into care and carried anger for years.

"Training for my match gave me somewhere to put that anger and I had personal and positive reasons to compete. "

Tommy explained that his life growing up "wasn't the easiest".

He said: "I grew up in Stoke on the Norton estate but went to Halifax in care for six months for being classed as 'gang affiliated.'

"I came back home to my mum for a while and went back into care in Knutton until I went into shared accommodation as a young adult."

Tommy's mum suffered a stroke when he was a teenager, which prompted him to choose to raise money for the Stroke Association.

He added: "I was proud to raise £220 for the Stroke Association.

"This charity is important to me personally as my mum suffered a stroke around my fourteenth birthday. We were told she'd be in hospital for over a year but came home in eleven weeks.

"She's better now but still not fully recovered. What a warrior she's been."

Tommy explained that he had no previous combat sports experience, although he had always enjoyed watching combat sports.

He said: "The training was a big challenge, but it built me up and the coaches completely had my back.

"I trained at Stoke Combat Academy. Their whole team deserves praise. It's a great gym with good people and just a good vibe in general."

The training led up to the Stoke Ultra MMA show on 15 November 2025, where Tommy unfortunately lost but still walked away with confidence and enthusiasm.

He said: "Fight night was unreal. I lost in the final seconds.

"It didn't feel like a defeat. I walked away stronger, more confident, proud of what I'd achieved."

Tommy added: "This isn't about winning. It's about proving to yourself that you can fight through anything.

"I'm coming back and most likely as a kickboxer as I love striking more than work on the canvas. However, I'm also keen to sign up for the next Ultra MMA event and intend to get the win. Watch out for me."

"I'd encourage everyone to accept the Ultra MMA challenge.

"Taking part strengthens mental health. I felt better in myself because I knew was supporting a worthwhile cause and improving my fitness and overall wellbeing."

Training for the next Ultra MMA event in Stoke on 18 July, will begin in May at Stoke Combat Academy located on Hulton Street, Hanley.

To get involved in the next event, visit the website here.