TV actress Gemma Atikinson is keen to take up mixed martial arts

Gemma Atkinson

British TV actress Gemma Atkinson, a major gym addict, wants to be a cage fighter. The 32-year-old ex-glamour model, who currently practices Thai boxing three times a week, is keen to join Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) contests.

"To master one martial art is very difficult. Someone who can ace Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well as regular boxing and wrestling, all in one, for an MMA fight, that's fantastic.

Gemma Atkinson trains at a gym. Pic/Gemma's Instagram Account

"I started with kick-boxing and when you see UFC on TV and you see these guys doing amazing stuff, you realise 'Oh my gosh, there's actually so much more I can learn'," Atkinson told British tabloid, The Sun.

Atkinson added that she will be using her free time to train for MMA fights and hopes that she will become a role model in the ring. "I don't fight obviously because of my work. I don't think ITV would allow it, being all bruised up. But I think more women should do it. The thing I admire about men and women that train is that it's not just a sport, but a lot of hard sports. It's great to be able to defend yourself, feel good and not be scared," she added.