Aaron Chalmers Says He’s Increasinlgy Loving Life In The Fight Game

Aaron Chalmers still has plenty to prove in the eyes of some sceptics, but he seemingly becomes increasingly at peace with the fact that fighting was something he was always meant to do.

The Geordie Shore man entered the professional UK MMA scene earlier this year when he made his debut at BAMMA 29 in May. That evening, Chalmers secured the win with an Americana submission and he went on to secure his second win in even more impressive style when he scored a highlight reel knockout of Alex Thompson at BAMMA 31 just four months later.

With his third fight now on the horizon this Friday at BAMMA 33, Chalmers spoke exclusively to MMANytt.com and explained how things were getting easier with experience.

“The first one was hellish because I didn’t know what was going on, so was my second one to be honest,” Chalmers said. “I was living in like hotels during my first and my second camp were as now I’ve got an apartment in Birmingham so it’s a lot easier, it’s a bit more like home.

“I’ve got my diet sorted for this camp, I’ve got a nutritionist so literally every weight cut seems to be getting easier.”

“In my first two camps I didn’t have any food prep or anything so I was eating out and trying to eat healthy, but even like sauces on chicken can mean you add weight and stuff. But this time around, it’s been good mate. I really can’t complain.”

Fighting is something Chalmers has always said has been a hobby, but as the year has progressed he seems to increasingly willing to admit that he’s getting sucked into the fight game.

“If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it,” Chalmers said. “It’s something that I really enjoy, but it’s something that I’m getting more into everyday. When you see yourself progressing, it spurs you on even more. When I first started, I didn’t feel like I was progressing as quickly as I am now. I’ve been in camp with Fabian and the UTC lads and we’ve all just had a helluva camp, a really, really good camp.

“We’ve got a strong team at UTC so that really helps. Even the guys that aren’t fighting, they come in and they’re helping with the sparring and stuff. I’ve got a great group of lads down there that are all willing to help.

“For my first fight, yeah it was a big of fun and yeah I was doing it because it was just like a hobby, but now it’s full force.”

A fellow BAMMA welterweight Richard Kiely recently fought for the BAMMA 170-pounds title with a 2-0 record, but Chalmers isn’t getting ahead of himself. Chalmers has a refreshingly honest take on his own skillset and he’s very transparent in the fact that he has some work to do before he should even be considered a shot at the belt.

“At the moment, I’ll be honest, I’m nowhere near in the same league as anyone for a title shot,” Chalmers said. “I’ll openly admit that. I wouldn’t take the title shot unless I genuinely thought I could win it and at the minute, that’s not me. For the minute, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and keep my head in my camp.

“I’ve had three quick fights in succession and I think next year people are going to see my progression.

“Never say never, but at the moment I’m nowhere good enough to fight for the title.”

Chalmers’ critics have been very vocal about the fact that he doesn’t deserve the opportunities he gets and some have even claimed he’s only in it for the PR exposure. That according to Chalmers couldn’t be further from the truth and he wants everyone to know that whether he wins or loses, he’s sticking around.

“Win lose or draw, it doesn’t bother me,” Chalmers said. “Obviously I go in there to win, but if people think that as soon I lose it’s game over, like they thought I’d have one fight and never come back, I don’t have to do this.

“My other career pays really f*cking good, but this is something that I want to do, I really enjoy it, and it’s working, so Friday, if I lose I’ll be straight back into camp whatever the outcome. Then I’ll go again.”