Tim Wilde's eight-year journey leads to huge MMA fight in Birmingham
Tim Wilde took up martial arts as an eight-year-old to deal with bullies – and now he’s fighting a former world champion.
The 31-year-old MMA fighter from Wednesfield, who trains in Cannock, is headlining a Bellator European Fight Series event with Brent Primus in Birmingham on Saturday May 4.
It’s the culmination of an eight-year journey, and the Wolves fan known as ‘The Experiment’ because of his unorthodox style, can’t wait to prove himself on the big stage.
“This is what I’ve been working towards for the last eight years,” he told the Express & Star. “I’m super excited to be debuting as a headliner near my home town.
“I started karate when I was about eight because my parents wanted me to do it. I’ve got red hair, and they were assuming I was going to get bullied.
“I did to a degree, nothing ever serious. But my dad knew I was very physical. He said let’s try martial arts.
“As I got older and more physical I wanted more contact, I tried boxing but it didn’t stick.
“I stumbled on an MMA gym, and I thought I’d try it. I’ve been fighting professionally for five or six years. I just love it.”
However, it’s not always been an easy journey for Wilde.
“I’ve sacrificed a lot,” he said. “I used to have my own business as an electrician, but I stopped that to pursue the dream of being world champion.
“You live on no money, I drive around in my nan’s car because I can’t afford one.
“This is going to be the fight that changes everything. If I win, it puts me in the top 10.
“I’m unknown in America at the moment, but it will announce me to the worldwide scene.”
Wilde explained the reason behind his nickname, and his unorthodox style.
"My coach gave me that nickname because he’s an avid martial arts fan and he's tried a lot over the years," he said. "What he’s done the most is Thai Boxing, all his previous fighters have been Thai Boxers.
"He started trying to use his knowledge of other martial arts – stick fighting Filipino fighting, all the eastern martial arts – and put that into my striking game.
"He’d train me up with it and spar high level pros to see it works. We’re always experimenting, and then it just kind of came from there."
Tickets to 'Bellator Birmingham: Primus vs. Wilde' are on sale now, and can be purchased from TheTicketFactory.com and Bellator.com, as well as the Resorts World Arena box office.
Tickets can also be purchased via UTC Staffs (01543 469964).
