This week we take a closer look at Lewis Rigney.

Fight Name

Lewis Rigney

Age

24

Where do you train?

Carnage MMA, Counties Hunua Wrestling Club, Kiaido Ryu Martial Arts Hunua and a whole bunch of time in my garage

How long have you trained for, and what styles have you trained in?

I’ve been an olympic wrestler almost 10yrs now, I do freestyle and greco-roman. I’ve been doing karate with KRMA for like 8yrs. BJJ on and off for a couple yrs and now I’m learning Muay Thai.

Who are your biggest Inspirations / Role models and why?

The great wrestlers that have made an impact on the sport, especially Randy Coutoure, Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman. Through wrestling I’ve been lucky enough to spend a little time with some of the coaches that helped them to success. Watching those guys make the transition to MMA and kick ass make me think I can achive big in this sport too, it makes me want to reach for the next level.

What are your goals in sport and life?

I keep coming up just a little short at wretling nationals in the freestyle, I’ve placed 2nd a few times but just cant quite get the gold so thats a big one for me. Last year I got gold in Greco and a bronze in the sub grappling so I want to pull of a clean sweep in all three events, freestyle, greco and subs. I dont think anybody has done that yet, it would be awesome to be the 1st one to pull it off. Maybe one day make it to the olympics. In MMA I want just keep developing my skills and become more well rounded, I want to dominatein all aspects of the fight. A belt would be wicked. Has NZ ever had a fighter in the ufc yet?

Do you have a signature move that you like to WOW the crowds with?

I like big throws, back suplea and the like. There is nothing quite like lifting a guy high into the air so you can slam him down even harder.

What is your greatest achievement so far in your life?

Is there anyone in particular that you would like to thank or give a shout out to?

Everyone at Carnage especially Sam and Dan who are making their debuet, Counties-Hunua, KRMA and anybody who has punched, kicked, slammed, thrown, squashed, choked, or cranked on me over the years. They’ve made me who I am.

Lewis’s last MMA fight was on ICNZ 5 check out some of his previous fights below.  Lewis will take on Jason Solomon from Lockdown Wellington on ICNZ 9.