UFC stars get students fighting fit for career in sport
UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett, Shem Rock and Luke Riley shared their workouts with LJMU students at a gym visit at the weekend.
The Liverpool fighters were working out at the Vortex Performance Academy, near Chester, and a lucky group of Exercise and Sport Science students put them through their paces with a range of strength and conditioning tests.
“It was fantastic working with this elite combat and MMA squad – and none other than Paddy Pimblett, one of the world’s top ranked fighters,” said one.
The testing day was coordinated by Conor Heeney, LJMU Performance Sport Science Coordinator, and provided hands-on experience of working with elite athletes in their day-to-day routines.
Our Sport and Exercise programmes give students the opportunity to work with elite athletes
Dr Conor Heeney, LJMU
The students conducted athlete profiling, data collection and analysis and commented on how they'd gained insight into the standards, and multidisciplinary collaboration required within an elite sport environment.
“Providing students with meaningful, applied experiences alongside reputable organisations like Vortex Performance Academy is a key part of what we do,” said Conor Heeney, Performance Sport Science Coordinator.
“Our Sport and Exercise Science programmes give students the opportunity to work with elite athletes, learn from industry specialists, and develop the professional skills to succeed in high-performance sport.
Vortex Performance Academy has strong and growing links with LJMU, with alumni, current MPhil students, and former Performance Sport Interns within their team.
Welcome anytime
Paul Reed, Director of Vortex Performance Academy and Combat Sports Specialist, said: “My thanks to Conor and the dedicated LJMU students who played a vital role in supporting our recent testing day with our athletes and members. Their enthusiasm and professionalism made a real difference.”
A special mention to LJMU alumni Marcus Unwin and Ella Johnson, key members of the Vortex Performance Academy and Fuel Station team. We’re proud to have them on board.
“The doors at Vortex are always open to LJMU students, whether for training, practice, or professional development, and we look forward to welcoming them anytime.”
This collaboration forms part of LJMU’s wider Performance Sport pathway, which provides athletes, coaches, and students with opportunities to engage in high-performance environments through partnerships with respected industry organisations. By embedding real-world practice within academic study, LJMU continues to prepare its students to become the next generation of sport scientists, coaches, and performance professionals.
LJMU has a long tradition of sport science supporting MMA and UFC fighters, including alumna ‘Meatball” Molly McCann.
