Recommendations

Spending a month in Philadelphia gave me access to one of the early legends. Ever the Roman warrior and pleasingly gentlemanly in person, this oil match with a God amongst men was an incredibly memorable encounter for me. It was a real honor to be allowed to share mats with this man.

Few guys are as devastating on the mats and as kind and generous away from them as Mike is. Not only was he willing to host a mud match with me, he also handed me my first and only loss there. And I'd happily take losses every time just to match up with this guy again, and again.

I was lucky enough to meet up with the big man yesterday having only so far been to group meetings in Barnet - this was to be my proper initiation into one to one grappling. We booked the mat rooms in Barnet and met up at Kings Cross beforehand....somehow managing between the pair of us to arrive late (Andy, being the perfect "host" provider of the facilities was his usual accomodating self and told us not to worry).

I felt somewhat apprehensive as Tanker donned his black trunks and wrestling boots (I have never seen such long laces - you could use them to moor the Woolwich Ferry) while I donned my orange speedos (really must get some more gear).
At 17 stone he is approx. 7 stone heavier than me and a good few inches taller into the bargain (and if it was a contest of chest hair - he'd win that hands down too).Not to mention that he has a fair amount of wrestling experience and I am still an utter novice.

I needn't have worried (well not THAT much) as he is a gentleman (not actually meaning gentle - man) but he did respect my lacking in experience, bulk, weight, height etc. etc.and told me several times you should say "submit" (maybe he was getting frustrated that I refused to cave in right away once he had put me in yet another painful hold....but why would I, when I was enjoying being placed in that painful hold and kept there?

Neck scissors, sleeper choke, Nelson, crab, stretch and goodness only knows what holds he used on me...each one uncomfortable and painful and fanstastic.

Most of the time I resorted to my "default tactic"....pretend to be a hedgehog..!!! LOL ....Roll into as tight a ball as I can manage (and for as long as I can) before he managed to prise a limb away and work me over once again.

We did have several breaks (not bones...I mean rests) where we both flopped on the mats and chatted and joked - he's got a great sense of humour and although he reckons I chat too much he can "bunny" away just as good.

We had discussed before the meet up of going for a drink afterwards but as we had slightly over-ran owing to our late arrival at the venue (with Andy's permission of course) we decided that we would just head off our separate ways on the return tube journey.

Today I am feeling muscles aching in places where I didn't even know I had any....but have a great feeling inside me just the same. I sincerely hope that I wasn't a disappointment to him with my lack of expertise but I did give it my best shot.... honestly...!!! and I certainly enjoyed every minute of it.

Really hoping we have a re-match in the future when I may have got at least a bit more experience (then I won't need to do a sneaky head lock when he is sitting on the mat re-tying his bootlace in order to put him in a hold - against all the rules)..LOL Sorry about that one mate - but you did make me pay for that afterwards anyhow...!!!

A great guy to meet and totally recommended.

Très bon match, agréable moment avec antée qui est combattant motivé, avec un très bon physique qui lui offre une force certaine, et qui je pense n'a pas grand-chose à envier aux lutteurs plus expérimentés. Très sympathique en dehors également. De fortes recommandations.

very fun to do pro with..great body..creative in ring.def recommend

It was a short match. But a good one never the less. See you next time I am in Vancouver.

Ho lottato con eco1 e devo dire che è stata una bellissima esperienza...
persona decisamente competente in materia di combattimento, fisico atletico, fa di tutto per mettere a proprio agio un eventuale avversario come me ai primi incontri.
fuori dal ring persona squisita gentile e anche colta il che rende tutto molto piacevole e facile.
consigliatissimo.

nice and friendly guy, very good playmate outside the mat also, highly recommended especially for MT fightes :)

Finally locked up with this gentle giant over chistmas. Although 'trooper' has experience in judo, hes taken to wrestling like a fish in water. Although his knowledge and skill was limited. He still made the bout fun and enjoyable. He's a local lad and l will be expecting the call soon for another rematch. Give 'new boy' a chance, Hes definately worth a meet.

It's a great honour to know this guy. True expert in the ground fighting!