Martial arts duo set to make £250k move into Sunderland with new gym

Made4TheCage, a local Mixed Martial Arts promotion, is set to launch a new £250k gym in September as the combat show upgrades its Sunderland foundations.

Made4TheCage is hoping to help raise awareness of the sport in the region and help cement a long-term future for fighters with the creation of a new, dedicated 3,300 sq ft base.

The company was founded by local entrepreneurs, Steven George France and Dale Percival, who together have now successfully operated many MMA events in the last decade under the Made4TheCage banner.

In 2014, the business partners - both from Sunderland - opened their current gym, located on Villiers Street, in an attempt to further develop talent from the region.

Speaking on the new gym, which will be located on Murton Street, Steven George France, said: “This is a big step for us as a brand but hopefully it’s a bigger step for the North-East’s MMA community and the wider community in general.

“We’ve established ourselves as the biggest MMA operator in the region and one of the most popular shows in the country but hopefully this major investment in our grass roots foundation can provide a platform for more people to get a greater chance in life.

“No matter the race, no matter the religion, no matter the gender, no matter the body type, no matter the skill level. We want the gym to be a beacon for the community and that means all are welcome.”

Established in 2015, the Made4TheCage fight academy is already seeing some good prospects come through its ranks with both Ashlee Harding and Norm Russell winning the first three fights of their amateur careers.

Made4TheCage’s founder and matchmaker, Dale Percival, added: “I’m really looking forward to opening the new academy in the heart of Sunderland.

“The old place was our home and is sad to leave but the new gym will allow us to develop and grow even more as a brand. We want to create a place that offers something for everyone and a place that people want to be part of the M4TC family.”

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