Wolverhampton MMA hotshot selected for Youth World Championships
A 10-year-old from Wolverhampton has been selected to represent England at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi this July.
Santiago Lopez, a student at Perton Middle School, will compete as part of the English Mixed Martial Arts national team, after establishing himself as one of the most exciting emerging talents in the UK.
He is one of only two boys in his age and weight category chosen from across the country.
Lopez has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for five years and has won more than 180 bouts and multiple titles across Europe over the past 18 months.
On his selection, Lopez said: "I love everything about this sport — the training, the challenge, and how much fun it is.
"I’ve made so many amazing friends through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.
"I’m really proud to be representing England and I want to thank my sponsors Empire Grappling, Bunchi, Love Belfast, Mr Bassetts Grapplers Soap, Crossface and Youth Ambitions for supporting me on my journey. Abu Dhabi is going to be an unforgettable experience."
In preparation for the competition, Lopez has also trained in Chile in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts and freestyle wrestling, as well as Greco-Roman wrestling in Sweden and wrestling in Georgia.
Lopez joined Intensity MMA in Willenhall under the guidance of former MMA fighter Dan Cassell last year. He has since gone on to secure victory on his amateur MMA debut in September, before following that up with a second win in March.
