One of Swindon's MPs will be taking part in a real-life MMA fight. 

Many politicians find the bearpit of the House of Commons a bit rough, but it seems likely that the recently elected MP for Swindon North, Will Stone might find it quite tame.

Mr Stone will take his weekend break from the rough and tumble of Parliamentary politics in two weeks to compete in a bout for the mixed martial arts show Polaris 30.

He is, it must be said, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and indeed ran his own Ju-Jitsu training gym in Swindon until his election in July, but why?

Mr Stone said: “The opportunity to take part in one of the biggest mixed martial arts shows in the country for one – and also to get all this publicity for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was too good to turn down.

“I love the sport so much, it’s the fastest-growing  martial art in the country, and it’s been brilliant to be able to get it in the spotlight.”

(Image: Polaris 30) Mr Stone will be grappling with fellow black belt Matt Inman (there’s no striking in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and he admits he’s probably second favourite.

He said: “Matt is a really strong competitor – I might have been a bit closer to him  three or four years ago, but with the amount of training I’ve been able to do in the last couple of years, I suspect Matt is favourite.”

Nevertheless, Mr Stone is still evangelical about the benefits of his sport and indeed all martial arts: “I was asked by you in one of my first interviews as a candidate whether I was intimidated having to speak in council but having been in the army and competed in European and world championships in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

"I know what’s good anxiety and what’s bad. I know if I’m nervous if I get out and do it, then it’ll be fine.

“Martial arts give you that confidence. I’d say to anyone to try them all out and see which one suits you best.”

And what about the suggestion that he might take on former Conservative MP and cabinet minister Dominic Raab, who is a black belt in karate? Mr Raab's defeat at the general election leaves Mr Stone as the only known black belt in the House of Commons.

He laughs: “Someone asked me if I could beat Dominic Raab. I hasten to add that I don’t want to fight him. But if I had to, well, He’s older than me and on that downward slope of age physically, so I think I could win. But As I say, I have no desire to fight Dominic Raab.”

Mr Stone will compete in the Polaris 30 show at the Fairfield Hall in London on Saturday, November 2.

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