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UEL Mixed Martial Arts champion inspires students at Fresher’s Week

Friday 24 September 2010

UEL Mixed Martial Arts champion inspires students at Fresher’s Week

UEL student, Djo Lema, took to the ring at the University of East London’s Freshers' Week to spar with Owen Matthews of Woolwich-based Fight for Peace; an organisation originally based in Rio de Janeiro which brings martial arts skills to those living in deprived areas of the city.  

Djo, who is a black belt in Judo and Jujitsu, won his fight on Saturday night against Elijah Grinell to successfully defend his title as UK Mixed Martial Arts Champion.  On Tuesday, however, he demonstrated his impressive fighting skills to students and members of West Ham Boys Boxing Club, while speaking motivationally to the crowd; saying that he hopes he can inspire other students and young people to achieve their dreams.

Originally from the Congo, Djo was trained by his father in Mukumbusu, a popular form of African street fighting and a national sport in the country. Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is a full contact combat sport that incorporates a range of techniques from different martial arts disciplines. The sport has become increasingly popular in recent years with the Ultimate Challenge UK hosting regular fights at the Troxy in London.

Djo, who graduates from a degree in Business Information Systems and Computer Networks in February, said: “I proved to the world and to all the students in the UK that you can study properly and do other things at the same time. I am a first class student here and the UK MMA champion, too. In the same sense that I fight in the ring, I fight in my studies. What UEL has given me, I am giving back”.

UEL is joining forces with Fight for Peace to provide MMA classes for students and for the local community.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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