Naimah profile

Key facts:
Age: 14
Sport: Mixed Martial Arts

Instagram: @mma_naimah

How did you get into your sport? 

" I started Taekwondo when I was six. I was all about the kicks, the belts, the focus, loved it. But then COVID hit, and everything just… stopped. No classes, no sparring, no nothing. And when things opened up again, I didn’t really want to go back. I guess I’d just grown out of it. I wanted to try something different; something that involved grappling and striking. Something more complete. So we started looking around for other gyms, just to see what was out there. Around that time, I saw a video of Amanda Nunes. The Brazilian UFC legend. Two-division champ, absolute beast in the cage. I watched her fight and thought, Whoa. That. I want to do that. There was something about the way she moved, so strong, so smart, so fearless. I was like, “Okay… this isn’t just fighting. This is art.” Next thing I knew, I was stepping into an MMA gym for the first time. It was loud, fast, sweaty and I loved it. It had everything I was missing. I haven’t looked back since."

What do you love about your sport?

" There’s always something new to learn. Striking, grappling, wrestling, submissions. One day you’re working on kicks, the next you’re figuring out how to escape a choke. It keeps my brain and my body super active. I also love how strong and confident it makes me feel. It’s not just about fighting. It’s about discipline, focus, and knowing you can push through anything, even when it gets tough. And honestly, I love the feeling of stepping onto the mat, hearing the bell, and knowing it’s me versus me. You get out what you put in. It makes me feel completely focused and present in the moment."

What is your proudest sporting achievement(s) to date?

" The achievement I am most proud of is winning the North American Grappling Association Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament. It was such a big moment for me because it is one of the most recognised competitions in grappling and it comes with a championship belt which felt amazing to earn. I trained really hard for it and had to stay focused through every match. Winning that tournament showed me how far I have come and what I am capable of when I stay determined. It gave me a huge confidence boost and made me even more motivated to keep learning and improving."

Any future goals and aspirations?

" I've got some really key dates coming up, including a UMAC Tournament, FightStar Interclub and the England Grappling Championship. I really want to participate in the North American Grappling Association (NAGA), as it is one of the most recognised grappling competitions and a key milestone in my journey. My ultimate goal is to become the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion."