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Mixed martial arts legend Michael Bisping officially opened Nottingham's official UFC Gym - the first of its kind in Europe.

Michael "The Count" Bisping flew in specifically from the US to open the gym in Huntingdon Street, who spearheaded its origins with Joe Long, one of the directors.

Nottingham was chosen as Europe's first UFC gym due to its ideal central location and history with helping the fighter train his way to become one of the sport's greats.

In a sit down chat with Nottinghamshire Live, UFC legend Bisping said: "Nottingham is blessed with a lot of good fighters. You've got people like Dan Hardy and Paul Daley who came from here and helped put the city on the map for the UFC.

"The UFC gym isn't all about fighting and combat sports. We are aiming this at families, children, people of all abilities, to come and get fit.

"It's whatever works for you. If you want to take on combat sports here, then great, the facilities are state of the art and world class.

"If you show something we can help take you further. And there are so many different forms of equipment and classes here for people.

"I trained in Nottingham when things first really started for me back in 2003. So it's quite fitting that we open a UFC gym here.

(Image: Nottingham Post/Marie Wilson)

"It's an incredibly exciting day for the city. There's probably no other gym in the country that offers what we do here. We want to expand into other cities as well."

Members are offered a range of classes including mixed martial arts group or private training, combat sports, boxing, kickboxing, as well as gym floor exercises, spin, yoga and Zumba sessions.

State-of-the-art equipment that is rarely available to paying members of the public is on offer - with only professional sports stars having access to some of the gym equipment.

(Image: Angela Ward)

As you enter the building, the iconic octagon ring, where MMA classes take place, stands out, as well as the multitude of punch bags and a turf area for fitness classes.

Through the gym and down the stairs, there are plenty of free weights, pin weights, cardio equipment and custom built studios for classes.

Here, the gym's cryotherapyroom which aids recovery after a workout is the same type of facility used by the England Rugby team.

A dojo for mixed marital classes and a sauna are also all available.

UFC Nottingham will initially offer 80 classes a week to members before expanding to between 100-120 in the coming months.

The Nottingham studio is the first of a targeted 105 UFC clubs to open across the UK and Ireland over the next 10 years.

(Image: Angela Ward)

Joe Long, a director of the gym and a former British karate champion, said: "It's so exciting to see it all have taken shape. The last two years have been a journey.

"Everyone here is excited about this globally known brand coming to Nottingham - the first in Europe.

"We've spent a long time planning the flow of the facility. It's open to families. We want to stress that. All ages and all abilities are welcomed.

"Nottingham can be a showcase of success to the rest of the country. People from across the UK will travel here. The cost is upwards of £1m and that's without any of the equipment."