MMA fighter ‘Freakshow’ on gang fights, wearing nail varnish and dressing as a clown

Mixed Martial Arts is known for its big characters like Conor McGregor.

But Colin Fletcher is a different level. Nicknamed 'Freakshow', Fletcher is known to enter the ring dressed as a clown, flanked by a colourful entourage of fellow freaks. They broke the mould when they made him. The Lonsdale-sponsored fighter is gearing up for an all-British match-up with former UFC veteran Andre Winner at BAMMA 20 this Saturday broadcast live on Spike TV. “When I started fighting I always fancied doing something a little bit different, dressing up like an idiot really because I am basically,” Fletcher told JOE ahead of the fight. “It started in the gym, the guys just called us a bit of a freak because I would paint my nails. The Freakshow just kind of stuck on the end for a little show bit. I’m just a bit of a weird person in general, to be honest with you.” For all his clowning around, fun-loving Freakshow is no side-show - he has a solid record of 11 wins and four losses. Despite seven of his wins coming by submission, his striking and stand-up game are equally deadly. Fletcher's background is boxing - he didn't come to MMA until the age of 24. But he cut his teeth fighting for money in a Sunderland gang. “I kind of started boxing when I was 13 until I was 16," he said. "I was boxing for quite a while. "When I was 16 I tailed off into being a bit of an idiot, which I’m not proud of,  and I had a few years where I was not a nice person and I was fighting people for money round the streets.” But Fletcher left his street fighting days behind him and now earns a respectable living inside the cage. At 32 he's married and settled with a family. He is coming into the Winner fight off the back of two wins against Tony Hervey and Michael Brightmon. Fletcher is looking for his third straight win in the BAMMA series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rfX1qncsf4 He is training harder than ever in order to defeat Winner again after scoring a unanimous decision against the 33-year-old in a K1 match up last year. “I’m expecting him to be gunning for revenge," Fletcher said. "I’m giving him a lot more respect for this one, I’m thinking he’s taken a loss from me, so he’s gonna be after revenge, to be honest that’s inspiring me to train that little bit harder.” Fletcher expects a tough fight, but is ready to finish Winner if he puts a foot wrong. BAMMA 20 is at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham this Saturday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrsANXKawek