IT’S not often that Bridgwater can lay claim to a genuine World Champion but following mixed martial artist Mark “The Hand of ” Godbeer’s victory against Paul Taylor... now we can.
In a career that has seen more ups and downs than most the Bridgwater-born fighter said his dream had come true after being crowned World Heavyweight Champion at the BAMMA 21 event in Birmingham last week.
In front of a packed Barclaycard Arena the 31-year-old defeated his opponent in the second round by technical knockout to win the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts World Championship belt.
Speaking to the Mercury he said: “It feels great to be world champion.
“I’m absolutely over the moon.
“It took a lot of time, a lot of work, a lot of commitment and sacrifice in getting there but it’s all been worth it.”
Mark says that the victory means even more after he coming back from a potentially career threatening injury in 2013 at a time he was finding it difficult to dedicate enough time to his family and the ring.
However with the support of his trainer and family and friends the father of three was able to come back fighting. “At one stage I definitely considered giving it all up,” he said.
“When we had the twin girls balancing everything just became so hard. “And then I broke my neck during training and wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to fight again.
“So it hasn’t been easy. “But it does make it so much sweeter. “It just proves to everyone - it’s not just me who has gone through all of this it’s everyone close to me.
“This win has just proven the point to everyone who’s stuck by me that maybe something will come of it after all. Since his victory Mark has been enjoying relaxing with his family and says he is glad to be part of something that the town can be proud of.
He said: “It’s been amazing. “I went out in town and it took me over an hour to get from one end to the other with people stopping me and wanting to chat and say well done.
“It was really nice. “It was great to go into the fight with all the support and the whole town behind me. “It just great to be involved in something like this - something positive to come out of Bridgwater.”
However Mark says he cannot take all the plaudits and paid tribute to those that have helped him reach the pinnacle of his career so far.
Mark said he could not have reached this point without spending many long days split between training with his fight coach Arthur Meek at the Eastover Youth Centre and his strength and conditioning coach Adam Barr at Olympus Functional Movement as well as the local people and businesses in Bridgwater who have offered their support.
And now Mark, who has earmarked a step up to the UFC as his next objective, says he is focused on becoming the best in a sport he loves.
“I’m currently ranked third in the UK and I’ve asked to fight number one so I’m hoping that will come off in October.
“I’m currently looking for sponsors and will start training for competition again soon. “I don’t want easy fights now.
“I’m at the best place I’ve ever been in my career and I want to make sure I keep improving - I want to show I’m the best.”
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