Sutton Fighters Training In Thailand

Two fighters from Sutton’s Resurrection gym are hoping that extended periods recently spent training in Thailand will help put them on a combat sports winning streak throughout 2026. MMA fighter Rhys Lawrence spent two months there last autumn as Millie-Rae Vardy was also making her second visit to the south-east Asian country.

“I’d never before been abroad before and I turned 18 while there,” said Lawrence. “I’d built a good reputation on local MMA shows but I’d never done any Thai boxing, or Muay Thai. I wanted the experience and had planned it intensively for quite some time. My grappling’s always been good, but I needed to improve in striking which Muay Thai teaches. The best thing as a novice was making rapid progress then getting to fight. I didn’t get the win in my first bout against a man a few years older, but I won my second against a local fighter.”

Lawrence particularly enjoyed “getting to know fighters from all over the world, training with them and discussing our combat sports careers, talking about hopes and dream and all with people that I wouldn’t otherwise have met including lots from Australia and New Zealand. Combat sports can be tough, brutal even, but an opponent is just that and not an enemy. It’s quite a community as friendships are made which will hopefully become life-long. I also really loved the food but didn’t make much progress speaking Thai. I guess I’ll have to go back.”

“I started MMA training aged 13 with my older brother at our dad’s suggestion to boost confidence. I was nervous of my own shadow. Training at Resurrection is the best thing I could have done. Being around older fighters has helped me develop into adulthood and it turned out that I had aptitude for the sport, maybe even talent. The training is intensive and requires total commitment.”

“I’d won several junior titles but last year I won my two amateur MMA bouts at 64kg on Wolkernite championship shows held in Grantham. They lasted three two-minute rounds, and it was the full works. No body protection except shin guards and unlimited striking to the head including when I had my opponent on the canvas. The aim is to get a submission. I hope I’ll eventually become a professional MMA fighter with fights of five rounds of five minutes and using elbows. It’s all exciting stuff and takes some courage. I’ve come a long way from being that nervous young boy just five years ago.”

Millie-Rae Vardy has watched Rhys develop. “From a timid boy who barely spoke he’s now the biggest character in the gym. He’s always here and as our gym is a former church we think Rhys lives in the space above the organ,” joked Vardy. “We train together in the advanced class and both coach the juniors. Hard work but a lot of fun.”

Vardy spent eight weeks in Thailand in 2024 and four in 2025. “My second stay was interrupted because I attended an MMA tournament in Georgia as a late entrant but which I won. It was organised by the IMAAF which is like the Olympics for MMA. I’ve always been athletic. I played football in school and had done a bit if kickboxing and after lockdown I wanted to throw myself into an activity. I needed to lose weight. I did so dramatically and made my competition debut in 2021. I’m now the IMAAF world champion having previously won become European champion in 2022 and my aim is to secure a professional contract this year.”

“MMA is as much for girls and women as for boys and men,” continued Vardy. “Even if you don’t compete there’s always self-defence to learn or have a go at ju-jitsu. We’re keen to welcome everyone at Resurrection.”

Lawrence and Vardy are keen to thank their local sponsors for their generosity. Lawrence is sponsored by Pressure Performance, Gorillahaus, R&R Shotblasting Ltd., Wolkernite Fight Night, Fade House Mansfield, My Fresh Active, The Mentalshift, Magpie’s Plumbing & Gas and Dean Bartlett Health & Wellbeing. Vardy’s sponsors include Santu’s Plaza, Hungrilla, Westville Harriet Construction Contractors Ltd., Mansfield Sales & Lettings, SLR Sport Therapy and Hollingsworth Engineering Ltd.

Lawrence is contacted via Instagram @rhyslawrence_mma and Vardy via Faceboook Millie-Rae Vardy. If interested in training at Resurrection text or call 07813 775126. The gym is located in the former St. Michael’s Church NG17 4GP.