In the heart of Wales, a rising star in the world of Mixed Martial Arts is making waves both in and outside the cage. Meet Lexi Walton, a 15-year-old prodigy who is the latest huge prospect of Shore MMA, home to current UFC stars Jack Shore and Oban Elliott, an esteemed training ground for fighters worldwide. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Wales, Lexi’s journey in the realm of combat sports is at the start of its story. As she steps into the spotlight, her story unfolds as a testament to dedication, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of a young athlete determined to make her mark on the MMA scene.
We catch up with Lexi and discuss the importance of her coaches at Shore MMA, and her desire to make a make on the sport of MMA.
Interview with Lexi Walton
Hi Lexi hope your well, it’s been just over a year since we last spoke, how do you feel things have progressed since then?
Hey guys, good to speak with you again. Yes it’s been a while, My training is going great, still making sure I’m covering all my areas to keep the improvement elevating.
Read More: One to watch Shore MMA Prodigy Lexi Walton
Anyone that follows your social media will see you have an extreme high work ethic especially for such a young person. Is it difficult to be so dedicated with so much going on at such a young age?
The ones that see my social media will see yes I have a high work ethic but it’s how it’s got to be. I know where I want to be, and I’m focused on what I feel I need to do to showcase my skills on the bigger platforms. My work ethic will always remain the same I don’t want to just be an average fighter I want to be known.
Progression
Where do you feel you have improved the most during 2023, and what do you attribute this to?
I feel as the years are going by, like 2023 I feel as though I’ve improved majorly in my MMA wrestling thanks to Carl. We work great together and I have so much respect for him and know he has my best at heart always. Aswell as Richard and Jack working on advancing my MMA and jiu jitsu to whole new level. By drilling and sparring frequently and strengthening my weaker points. My Muay Thai striking has always been a strong foundation, thanks to Hehm. I’ve worked with him since a very young age and sharpening my skills week after week. And of course my boxing is playing a great added addition at a new gym, Pontypool Boxing Club.
It has been noticable that you appear to be a very difficult fighter to match up, with many people declining and pulling out of fights with you. Does it frustrate you, that you haven’t managed as many fights as you would have liked due to this?
The matching in MMA is proving to be abit difficult. I was supposed to have my last no headshot match in November 2023 but we had a pullout. Then spoke with my coaches about starting my headshot debut this year with high hopes of getting on the march card which I can’t see happening now. It is very frustrating as I want to get out there, I know us fighters all say we want to get out there but honestly this is what I live and breathe. I love my game and want to show everyone what I’m all about. As amateurs we learn this process that’s why we should get it on and climb the ladder.
Opportunities
Shore MMA has had some MMA royalty attend the gym this year such as Dan Hardy and Aljamain Sterling. Did you manage to get any training in with those two and if so how was that experience?
Yeah Shore martial arts had Dan Hardy down with his wife Veronica. I remember meeting Dan at Cage Warriors, when me and my brother were very young and had a picture. It’s crazy to fast forward to recently and I was actually rolling getting rounds in with his wife at the gym. She’s such a great person, it’s crazy it’s like a big story that from my very first day hitting the bags with my dad and brother, when I was like 4 it was definitely meant to be.
What are your targets for 2024, and what do you think it will take to make them a reality?
My goals and targets for 2024 is get the fights in and to make them a reality. I think we need some help from the fans getting me out there more. Keeping that name out there and hopefully we’ll be on a roll ready for possibly Graham at Cage Warriors, or whoever to get me the pathway to Dana ready to sign me, that’s my dream and we’ll all look back and hopefully say she did it.
Everyone at Combat Sports UK, would like to thank Lexi Walton for taking the time out of her crazy schedule to speak to us today.
Image Credit Lexi Walton
