Aaron Chalmers: Fedor is still an icon despite Bader loss and training with UFC fighter Leon Edwards is crucial to me
In his latest fight diary for Sun Sport, former Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers reveals he is fighter and sharper than ever ahead of his next fight on February 9
IN HIS latest fight diary for Sun Sport, former Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers reveals he is fighter and sharper than ever ahead of his next fight on February 9 against Corey Browning at Bellator Newcastle.
I WATCHED Fedor Emelianenko when he was the man in Pride and I watched him this week.
Honestly, I tuned in hoping he would get the win and then retire, so to see him lose was hard.
But Ryan Bader is no joke, I saw some people questioning the shot he dropped him with and eventually won with, but I have seen that vicious jab drop people before, King Mo I think was poleaxed by one, so it was no tap.
Fedor will always be a legend.
I remember when I first started in MMA that it was surreal being part of even the same sport, even though we were obviously miles apart.
He's an icon and I'm still starting out but just to be on the same promotion as him with Bellator is amazing.
Training alongside UFC welterweight Leon Edwards
One fighter closer to home at the top of his game is Leon Edwards.
Getting to train alongside him is great day-in-day-out but when it comes to fight camps - he fights on March 16 - that is when you see the level he is at and his experience.
Everything about him remains calm, if anything it's when he becomes most calm.
He's fighting another superstar in Gunnar Nelson but you would think he's just preparing for a training session.
I haven't got the experience behind me to feel like that yet, but having someone around you that has is really valuable and helps my camps so much.
Returning to the ring after nine months out
Momentum is always a big thing for any fighter - ring rust, you are always told, is your worst enemy.
But because I was kept out of the cage for contractual reasons rather than injury I don't feel I will be too badly affected.
I've spoken about this before on my .
If anything I should be an even better fighter because, in the eight months since my last fight, I have not had to worry about getting a fight, or cutting weight or selling tickets.
I have just been able to dedicate myself to the sport and training 100 per cent.
I came to the sport so late that I will always be playing catch-up so this period out of action has actually given me a great deal of time to get hundreds of hours of pure training in.
Once you have a fight signed your sparring tapers down and gets easier to prevent any injury.
But while I have been out, the spars have been strong and non-stop.
The training has been relentless and the weight has come off really naturally thanks to my work with while I have teamed up with to create some great content for the Newcastle fight.
All that remains now is to get back in the action and do what I love.
- Tickets for Bellator Newcastle: and can be purchased from and Bellator.com, as well as the Utilita Arena box office.