Revolution gym fared well at the Mansfield Sport Recognition Awards winning Team of the Year award and Head Coach Neil Huntley being named Coach of the Year. Rising MMA star Will Bingham was also delighted to receive a mayor’s commendation for his commitment.

“I’m particularly proud of Will achieving his formal commendation in the year in which he turned eighteen,” said Huntley. “He remains completely dedicated having come to us initially as a talented kickboxer. In 2025 Will extended his range of combat sports disciplines to include boxing, grappling and jiu-jitsu as well as having now won three of four amateur MMA bouts. This is what can be achieved by a teenage athlete with the right mindset who’s determined to benefit from the high-quality coaching on offer.”

“This year has been massive for me across all my sports,” said Bingham. “In March I won the War of Warriors European semi-pro K1 title, then in May two gold medals in Hungary at the WFC World Combat Sports Championships in K1 kickboxing and MMA. This was my third time in Hungary. I felt more composed with previous experience helping me display dominant performances in both disciplines. Our gym took first place out of 62. We were the only English gym competing but ensured England was second in the medal table.”

“Four weeks after the Hungary trip it was time for Revolution’s annual summer Rise of the Elite held at Mansfield Town football ground. I made my boxing debut against Brandon Collins from Manchester and proud to have got the win on points. I enjoyed both the training and then the experience in the ring. I’d certainly be up for more boxing. Fighters need to fill their time. I just love everything about these combat sports which have helped me build confidence. It’s a pure environment the ring or the cage. You quickly learn exactly who you are. As I embark on adult life, I guess it remains to be seen exactly who I am.’

Bingham has also trained and competed in Jiu-jitsu. ‘Competitors use the locks and holds of grappling to subdue an opponent,’ explained Paul Cole, head coach at Mansfield’s Five Rings Grappling Academy. ‘We’ve been delighted to help Will enhance his skill set as he’s trained with us these past few months. Will’s taken to it and shone not just owing to his natural athletic ability and background but also his humility and work ethic. He’s now earned two Jiu-jitsu stripes having showcased his overall grappling skills and in a short time has competed in two divisions winning one and coming runner-up in the second. Yet another discipline in which this pleasant young man has strong potential. He’s a legend frankly.’

“I’ve been on two shows with South Yorkshire promotion BMF. In May I lost by decision on BMF12 but learned loads from it and returned stronger in October with a submission win at BMF14. Achieving the Mayor’s Commendation meant so much. I’m just 18 and still learning every day, so this recognition motivates me to push even harder. I’m grateful to everyone who supports me, especially Neil, my other coaches, teammates, family, friends and all my sponsors. I’m excited to see how far I can go from here.”

Parents Claire and Paul Bingham remain their now adult son’s biggest fans. ‘We’re proud of everything Will has achieved in combat sports,’ stated Claire. ‘His dedication, focus, and pride in his work shine through in everything he does. Watching him succeed and inspire others is amazing. We couldn’t ask for more in a son. He’s committed, grounded, and full of heart.”

Coaching younger fighters and cornering them in bouts also keeps Bingham busy. “Will’s taught me all I know,’ said Woody Shipman, 10, who won his fourth bout on the summer show. ‘Will is Woody’s role model and has helped him immensely,’ said Woody’s mum Emma. ‘Will taught Woody mastery of the spinning kick and Woody’s keen to emulate Will in everything.” Kickboxer Joseph Kitchen, 15, describes Will as “a sound role model. He works hard, trains hard and gives great advice as a fighter and friend. Us younger fighters all look up to him.”

2025 was overall a busy, eventful and hugely successful year for Revolution. The new Skegby premises opened in March after a six-month refurbishment. In addition to receiving Mansfield Sports Recognition Awards for Team and Coach of 2025, Neil Huntley also won the Nottingham BBC Making a Difference Award for his work in the sport.

“These achievements are a team effort,” said Huntley. “Many thanks to my fellow coaches and especially my right-hand man Tyrone Robinson without whom none of this would happen. Tyrone is head assistant coach here and member of the GB Taekwondo Academy. The awards confirm just what Revolution is and how hard work and consistency pay off. I’m proud that we’ve created a facility allowing fighters to train seven days a week and achieve in boxing, kickboxing and MMA on major promotions. We’ve got big plans for 2026 with a massive show in front of hopefully a crowd of five thousand at Mansfield Town Football Club on 30th May.”

Huntley is particularly grateful to Revolution’s sponsors. “Thanks to Kudos Kitchens, Fire Sec Installations, SP Sports Massage, MACAW Security, Suite Designs, Cody Elliott Painting and Decorating, Dan Canlin Plastering, H&A, Smart Aluminium, Oscroft Plumbing, Fluid Air-conditioning, Bluelines Roofing, SPG, Asylum Skate Park, AHBS, Tyrone Robinson Coaching, ONETEK, AIPS and HSL Construction Ltd.”

New potential sponsors for Will Bingham should contact him @will.bingham30 on Instagram or Claire Bingham on Facebook or e-mail claire.bingham@talktalk.net . If interested in training at Revolution Gym contact Neil Huntley on 07538 379397 or Paul Cole on 07912 932145 for Five Rings Grappling.

The 2025 Mansfield Sports Recognition Awards were again funded by The Armchair Club founded in 1982 when six businesspeople came together to promote local sporting and athletic talent.

*Article provided by James Bovington (Combat Sports Correspondent).

*Main image @RevolutionGym Will Bingham centre with his mayors commendation.