Sport

Rising Mancunian MMA star Lewis McGrillen set to take part in PFL Champions Series

He's a big talent and an even bigger personality.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th August 2025

Rising Manchester MMA fighter, Lewis McGrillen, is topping off a breakout 12 months with a big booking in the Middle East, as he is set to feature in the Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) latest ‘Champions Series’ over in the UAE.

Continuing an incredible and seminal campaign, the Wythenshawe-born and raised bantamweight, who became the champion of his division back in December, is set to feature in the next edition of the PFL Champion series later this year.

The local lad, who grew up around athletes like Marcus Rashford MBE and Cole Palmer, is still only 24 but has already generated a passionate following and online persona in the combat sports sphere and on social media, in general.

Here was the moment he got his fast hands on his first-ever European PFL title:

As a fast-growing Mancunian sportsman, he’s got plenty of backing here at home, but his larger-than-life personality has also seen him become a charismatic figure in the world of MMA overall.

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With the likes of Wigan’s Tom Aspinall now the unified heavyweight champion and Manc UFC fighter Lerone Murphy calling for his own title shot, Greater Manchester is having a truly great moment within the discipline.

But in terms of characters, for our money at the minute, there are arguably few more compelling characters in mixed martial arts than McGrillen-Evan (to use his full name) besides Liverpool favourite Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett.

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All hail the golden era of North West knockout stars.

The resurgence of not just high-potential but increasingly successful fighters in the region has not only seen an added interest in the fight game, but the city is attracting even more events of late, too.

A night of bare-knuckle boxing is coming to Manchester’s AO Arena
Case and point.

Having made the step up from flyweight to compete amongst the bantams, Lewis ‘The McGrizzla’ McGrillen – we’ll never not chuckle at that nickname – is quickly going from one of the PFL’s best prospects to among the most exciting names in MMA full stop.

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With 13 professional fights under his belt, a dozen of those being wins and 10 of them being by TKO, he’s past being considered merely ‘one to watch’ if you ask us.

A product of the notorious Manchester Top Team, led by the likes of aforementioned ‘Miracle ‘Murphy and fellow native Kane Mousah, the bantamweight champ will be looking to make an even bigger name for himself on the PFL’s global stage this autumn.

McGrillen is due to tussle with County Tyrone’s Caolan Loughran, 29, in the Dubai bout on Friday, 3 October, and we’re backing him to make a big splash.

You only watch the likes of his match against Dean Garnett, one that was dubbed “the fight of the year”, and you’ll understand why…

Nevertheless, his opponent had a lot of his own choice words to say following plenty of big talk from a very confident Lewis. Who are you backing to come out on top, fight fans?

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Featured Images — Supplied/Stillryan (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

A local Manc content creator is looking to set a world record by running around Old Trafford

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man United fan runs laps around Old Trafford for charity in world record attempt

A local content creator, who specialises in running/hiking content (and sandwiches), is looking to raise money and potentially set a world record by jogging around Old Trafford.

Oh, and by jogging, we mean running – for a really, REALLY long time…

If you’ve never come across his channel before, let us introduce you to local influencer and videographer Sam Matthew, a.k.a. ‘Peaks and Pubs‘.

Boasting plenty of fans on both Instagram and TikTok within the world of trail running, the outdoors community and beyond, he’s set to toast reaching a very specific achievement by “turning a milestone into a mission” and doing laps around Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club.

As explained in the video, he’s now surpassed 74,310 followers, i.e. the same capacity of supporters you can fit inside the Theatre of Dreams itself.

We know, it’s distance running and feats of endurance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of raising money and awareness, not to mention possibly getting yourself in the official Guinness Book of World Records.

Explaining the challenge in the caption of the video, Sam writes: “There’s now enough of you lot following this daft account of mine on here to fill a stadium I’ve adored since I was a little boy. And that genuinely means so much to me.

“So why not celebrate the occasion by punishing my legs and raising money for good causes along the way? Donations are, of course, the aim, but I understand that not everybody is in the position to do that, so any engagement on this post is hugely appreciated.

“I mean it from the bottom of my heart that you lot genuinely make this all happen for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to do silly stuff like this on a random Wednesday [29 October]. Giving off pure ‘your unemployed friend on a Wednesday’ vibes, but I love it!”

Raising money for the club’s in-house Manchester United Foundation, which has already shown its support for the upcoming ultra-marathon distance event, they are also looking to generate crucial funds with the return of another annual charity event too.

Manchester United’s Stadium Sleep Out returns for 2025
The Foundation does some incredible work all year-round, if you’d rather swap running around Old Trafford for sleeping.

Once again, Sam will be kicking off the serious step-count from approximately 9am this Wednesday (28 Oct), he’s estimating it’ll take him around a whopping nine and a half hours, “with plenty of breaks for food and fluids”, thank god.

As the man behind most of the Bada Bing videos, we expect plenty of butties to fuel the running.

Furthermore, although he’s set to take on the distance solo for the morning, he’s invited as many people who fancy getting involved to come and join him for a lap or two from 12 noon onwards; hopefully, he’ll see the Guinness people popping along to see if he registers a world record while he’s at it, too.

We hope there are a few pints at the pub waiting for you at the end, as always, Sam.

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Featured Images — Peaks and Pubs (supplied)/The Manc Group

Sport

Less than a month to go until a blockbuster Manchester derby in the WSL at the Etihad Stadium

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Women's Derby WSL Etihad Stadium tickets

We’re just one month out until one of the best games on the football calendar: the Manchester derby in a Barclays Women’s Super League campaign that is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in some time, with multiple Lionesses and international stars on show.

Manchester City and Man United are both duking it out at the top of the table already, with the high-flying East Manchester club and last season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup finalists both boasting plenty of reason to go into the game confident.

With Man City boasting not just the home advantage but the bonus of playing in front of a crowd at the Etihad Stadium, many are already expecting a blue moon to rise once again.

This season may have only just begun, but Man City Women have already shown plenty of promise and signs of early form. Barring an opening day blip against the champions, Andrée Jeglertz’s side have looked pretty prolific; Man United are right up there with them, meaning we’re bound for a good clash.

Netting well over a dozen goals – the most of any team in the league – the Cityzens will understandably feel on the offensive when they host the visitors on Saturday, 15 November.

The Etihad recently hosted the Lionesses themselves in a close-fought fixture against Brazil this past October, with City legend Georgia Stanway herself getting on the scoresheet.

Man United are right up there with them, though, meaning we’ve got a derby day that shouldn’t disappoint. Let’s be honest, it rarely does.

Don’t you just love it when two rivals go into a clash in strong spirits?

There’s also an added element of feistiness bubbling under the surface, as this is also the first meeting between the two clubs since Grace Clinton swapped the red half of Manchester for a sky blue shirt, with Jess Park going the other way.

Now both full England internationals are arguably fighting for the same position, too, you can expect the pair to get a rousing reception when they rock up/return to the Etihad.

The 22-year-old scored on her debut in City’s 5-1 win over Spurs.

All eyes will be on this WSL fixture, especially with members of the back-to-back Euros-winning Lionesses squad taking to the pitch on both sides.

Clinton, Park; Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, as well as more international stars such as Viv Miedema and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – there’s going to be so much talent on show.

Speaking to The Manc ahead of the match, first-team star and City vice-captain, Kerstin Casparij, gave us their thoughts on the historic and always hard-fought rivalry…

What does the Manchester derby mean to you?

The derby means more to me every year. It’s not just 3 important points, but also pride and bragging/banter rights. This year, I’d say it’s also about redemption for me, considering our home loss last season. 

Are there any standout memories of derby day that come to mind?

I think the away win at Old Trafford two years ago is a nice memory. Being booed for the full 90 minutes and coming away with a win feels extra satisfying.

It really is set up to be an unmissable meeting between the two heavyweights of the female football world, with a 1:30pm kick-off leaving plenty of time for added fanfare before and after either whistle.

Promising plenty of activities in and around the stadium, as well as the dedicated Man City Kids Fan Zone, a completely free event that runs for four hours before kick off on the indoor pitch of the City Football Academy, the ‘Blue Carpet’ experience, where you can see players arrive 90 minutes before the game and plenty more, there’s so much going on.

As well as fun games at half-time, live entertainment, not to mention a wide range of food and drink around the concourse, it’s going to be a great day out.

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Best of all, tickets are super affordable: general admission for adults starts from only £15 and £5 for under 16s. If you grab two adult passes and one U16 ticket, you can get any additional U16 tickets for just £1 each.

If you want to enjoy Hospitality at the Etihad Stadium, packages start from as little as £35. From the Sports Bar experience and the Tunnel Club, where you can see players getting read on the way to the dugout and pitch, or even a bottomless brunch before the game with your friends.

Whatever offer best suits you, fans can grab tickets right to see Manchester City Women, Man United, Lionesses stars and more right HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Manchester City

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