Jimi Manuwa ~ Becoming The Poster Boy

posted by J. Andrew Yount

With the recent explosion of mixed martial arts in Europe, several new international stars are bursting onto the scene. Fighters such as Michael Bisping, Ross Pearson, Dan Hardy, and Paul Daley are all making their ways toward the top of the sport. One fighter not far behind and making an impressive mark on the English market is Jimi ‘Poster Boy’ Manuwa. Manuwa (4-0), the current Ultimate Challenge UK light heavyweight champion, is already turning heads and stirring up significant interest after just four professional fights. Manuwa recently sat down with MMA Spot’s J. Andrew Yount to discuss his career, influences, future, and more.

Manuwa’s start in the sport would come on the heels of a devastating injury while weightlifting in 2007. He ruptured a chest muscle while bench pressing 185 kg (407+ lbs). While rehabbing the injury, he decided to begin training, “I got started in MMA when I used to go see a friend of mine fight and thought I could do it my self, then started training and accepted my first fight too early after just two or three weeks. I won, but it was a great lesson for me because it showed me it's not just as simple as that.” After that fight Manuwa’s friend, Kym Farid, turned the powerful, but raw, athlete on to a pair of professional gyms.

“I train at Keddles gym with Alan Keddle and Dino Miringou and at Nova Forca BJJ with Ricardo Da Silva. These are my main trainers who I have developed a close friendship with and we are all a great team. I can't forget Joe Mac, my strength and conditioning coach who I am very close with. He gets me physically ready for my fights and knows exactly what my body needs; he's great. I have great sparring partners at Keddles and Nova Forca.

At Keddles we have Tom Watson, the ultimate challenge middle weight champ who also trains at Greg Jackson's camp in America; he's great. We have Scott Jansen, the Ultimate Challenge K1 welterweight champ, Darren Geisha, Rob Storey, world Thai champ and loads more great stand up fighters. When I'm there I feel like just a drop in the ocean which I like. We have just had James McSweeney join us there as well who also trains at Greg Jackson's camp. He's a great sparring partner as he's big and strong which I like as I learn more. He is due to fight Kimbo Slice in the UFC in November. He has just come out of the UFC ultimate fighter house where he did very well.

At Nova Forca, we have Tim Radcliffe, the Ultimate Challenge lightweight champ and lots more great BJJ specialists. I believe I have the perfect combination to take me to the top.”

While still fairly new to the sport ‘Poster Boy’ knows he has lots of growth ahead of him and focuses on becoming a great all-around fighter, “I'm focusing on improving all areas of my game as I'm still learning. I've started wrestling and judo as well. I want to be good in all areas, but love to punch though. I am also working on Thai boxing and BJJ lately, as I am still learning so much every day. I also do a lot of strength and conditioning work which is a major part of my game.”

As many fighters before him, Manuwa has been heavily influenced by similar fighters before him, “My biggest influences are Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, and Anderson Silva; they are all legends in my eyes.” Manuwa’s early career certainly appears to be mimicking those of his idols. And like those men, Manuwa has set out to become his own legend, “The name ‘Poster Boy’ comes from when I first started. I wanted to be the poster boy for U.K. MMA and it just stuck from there. I hope to achieve that goal.”

Jimi’s adoration for the sport and his national pride comes out when he speaks of not only his goals and desires, but as he speaks of the growth of MMA in his country. He thinks that it won’t be long before a fellow Brit will be wearing an international title from a major promotion around his waist. “I think U.K. fighters are catching up with the U.S. as the sport grows. A lot of them are going to the U.S. to train as well. We will see them gradually coming to invade the UFC; we just need the chance to prove ourselves. There are a lot of very good fighters here, some of whom I train with.”

Jimi holds back a smile when asked about his ideal way to win a fight, “I don't really have any favorite techniques but I like to box, but then again I like it on the floor. I think my favorite is ground and pound which is both so there you go.”

“The best fight I had was probably my last fight with Ryan Robinson where I won the world title. He was ranked 6th in the U.K. and was a very skilled veteran. This victory propelled me to number five in the U.K. light heavy category.” As for his immediate future, Jimi Manuwa will be defending his newly acquired light heavyweight title at the end of this month, “My next opponent is Luke Blythe. I've heard he is an ex boxer who is good on the floor as well, so it should be a good fight. It is on August 22nd at Ultimate Challenge in London and will be shown on Sky Sports.”

Although young in the sport, and even younger as a champion, he knows how to stay grounded and already possesses the mentality of a champion in the sport. “I'm not really thinking of anyone to fight, I'm just concentrating on my next one, but I will fight anyone who comes my way. Being the champ is hard as I have to take it very seriously. Who ever I'm fighting is fighting for the belt! I know they are training extra hard so I have to do it full time now. I train twice, sometimes three times a day. I enjoy it a lot though. I love the sparring and pushing myself to my limits every day, it's great, I just love to fight. I love getting hit and hitting and the learning that comes with it.”

Even in his down time ‘Poster Boy’ cannot get away from training or the need to refine his techniques. He credits his dog, Boss, for keeping his cardio strong on long jogs and has picked up an odd hobby for a fighter. “I have recently taken up clay pigeon shooting which I love, and am very good at. Away from the sport I like going out partying and enjoying myself. When I'm not doing all of that, I spend time with my family which is my number one love. My family members are my biggest fans; they are all great in supporting me and support me 100%.”

The future is extremely bright for this English brawler. With a championship already around his waist and a growing knowledge of technique and execution, Manuwa may become the next U.K. star to set the sport on fire. Hopefully after August 22, what are currently smoldering embers can be turned into roaring flames. Then it might not be long before Jimi Manuwa can truly achieve his goal of being “the poster boy of U.K. MMA.”

Jimi Manuwa: “I'd like to thank my family for supporting me and motivating me, all my trainers, Dino Miringou, Alan Keddle, Joe Mac and Ricardo Da Silva, and all my sparring partners who put me through hell to make me a better fighter. I'd like to thank my sponsors Silver Star and TSS security as well, and all my fans who support me. It's so weird seeing fan mail and messages on my website (http://poster-boy.co.uk), but it motivates me to achieve more and go further so thanks to them.”

Posted at 08-19-2009