Do you have the fight to grab a training chance?

A FIGHT club coach wants to change the life of a troubled youngster by offering all the training and equipment they need to learn new skills.

Glasgow Fitness Gym, in Thornliebank, trains fighters in martial arts including mixed martial arts (MMA) – a blend of fighting styles said to be the fastest-growing sport in the world.

And the club's head coach Raj Singh is keen to add another fighter to his roster by offering a free membership and access to all of his classes.

Glasgow man Raj, 30, said: "The discipline of fight training can have a massively positive effect on someone's life.

"Martial arts ethics teach you to never give up and if you fall, get up, dust yourself off and try again.

"These principles apply in the cage but also in life. Every now and then life will knock you down just like your opponent will.

"We teach our students to get up and keep going no matter what.

"The selected candidate will be given high-end coaching, gym membership and most importantly will be taken under our wing.

"Once they are ready they will be given the opportunity to compete on one of Scotland's top fight promotions and paid to do so.

"Once it's done they don't have to go down the route of being a fighter, but hopefully they will be motivated to go after what they really want in life."

Raj is looking for a young person from a disadvantaged background who has dreamed of learning MMA but could perhaps not afford a gym membership.

Raj started training in Muay Thai nine years ago before a knee injury saw him move into coaching.

The successful candidate will be trained by Raj and David Galbraith – Scotland's number three ranked professional MMA fighter.

Raj said: "MMA is an amazing progression in fighting, an evolution in martial arts. But fighting in the cage isn't something everybody can do – it takes a special kind of person.

"We are looking for someone who wants to change and make something of themselves.

"We don't care if they come from a troubled background, we also don't care what kind of physical shape they are in, the main thing is they have the grit and determination that we are looking for.

"It may be someone who is in trouble a lot, possibly surrounded by drugs and alcohol and unable to afford training fees.

"We don't care about their circumstances or background, all we care about is they want to change and need an opportunity like this."

n If you or anyone you know are interested, e-mail Raj at info@glasgowfitness.com to apply.