Mansfield teenager Will Bingham aims to establish himself even more firmly on the regional combat sports scene during 2025 as he envisages a professional career in MMA and kickboxing, in both of which he remains undefeated on home soil.
‘I was delighted to receive Mansfield’s Young Sportsperson of the Year Award for 2024,’ said Bingham, who turns eighteen next July. ‘I had a successful year with the highlights being participating in the WFC world combat championships in Hungary in May for the second year running as part of the squad from Revolution Gym in Sutton-in-Ashfield where I’ve been training under Neil Huntley for the last three years. I was proud to bring home both a gold in both kickboxing and MMA and took joint ninth place out of 350 competitors at the tournament along with my teammate from Revolution, Daisy Fisher.’
Bingham’s two golds contributed to Revolution’s overall medal haul of thirty including eleven golds and fourteen silvers which placed the North Notts team second out of sixty-two competing clubs. The previous year’s tournament had seen Bingham win a gold in kickboxing and silver in MMA. ‘I coped well in 2023 competing in a higher age and weight category than expected. I was proud to win a title belt and gain a silver medal in my debut MMA bout.’ Huntley praised his pupil stating that ‘his commitment and valuable experience gained over the year enabled Will in 2024 to dismantle a Sambo fighter and win by rear naked choke. Will became the promotion’s double World Champion by beating an older, heavier opponent in the K1 elite final, hypnotising him with fast-paced striking.’
‘I tried many sports when younger including football, rugby, ice hockey and swimming. I found a love for martial arts and just knew that K1 and MMA were what I wanted. I specialise MMA and K1, which for those who don’t know is a type of full contact kickboxing with short hopefully explosive full contact matches fought over three, three-minute rounds,’ explained Bingham, adding, ‘I absolutely love it. I’m at Revolution most days doing classes or working out in the gym. Neil provides fantastic opportunities for me to spar with talented opponents, sometimes older and more experienced which ensures that I continue developing as a fighter. I’ve never looked back since starting training with Neil. I love preparing for upcoming fights and coaching younger fighters. I enjoy helping them prepare mentally for their bout and supporting them in their corner.’ Huntley is complimentary about Bingham. ‘His story is one unbelievable rise. He’s one of the best athletes I’ve had the pleasure to coach. Shaping that skill set and watching him develop is scary to watch given the potential you have, to the top we go.’
Over the last year Bingham has continued to reap success both at Revolution’s home shows where he won and retained the RECC British title and won his debut amateur MMA bout at the BMF show at Barnsley Metrodome. He then remained undefeated in a K1 bout in September and in October followed this up with a first-round knockout in his second amateur MMA bout with BMF. ‘I finished the year winning the ISKA K1 English title in my 70kg weight group. Then in December I was honoured to receive the young sports person award from a group of businesspeople keen to support local athletes. Winners have included Olympian Rebecca Adlington and Paralympian Charlotte Henshaw. I’m in good company and I want to thank everyone who has helped me achieve my goals these last two incredible years.’
A sports science student at Mansfield’s West Notts College who works part-time at his local Curry’s ‘partly to help fund the many extra training and competing expenses’, Bingham is looking to expand his range of sponsors to guarantee success throughout 2025. ‘I’m grateful to my existing sponsors for their generosity so many thanks to Heartfeltz, Eurotec, Amazon Websites and Lottie’s Bakes. I’ll do my absolute best to prove it’s a wise investment.’
For the third consecutive year Bingham plans to join the Revolution squad competing in the Hungary World Championships this spring. If interested in sponsoring Will contact Claire Bingham 07538 379397.
*Article provided by James Bovington (Combat Sports Correspondent).
*Main image @JamesBovington Will Bingham from Mansfield is a hot new combat prospect.
