Intensive care nurse packs a punch as a cage fighter

An intensive care nurse has revealed she is also an up-and-coming cage fighter, ranked seventh in the UK’s strawweight category.

Bryony Tyrell, who works at Southampton General Hospital, trains six days a week and even works out in a sauna before a big fight.

Ms Tyrell made her professional fighting debut last year, but is currently on a five-fight winning streak.

She said: ‘I had been doing kickboxing and other contact sports for about 12 years and it was only when I saw martial arts at my gym that I realised it was something I wanted to do.’

A month before her fight she has to lose 5kgs to compete in her category, cutting back on carbohydrates and doubling her protein.

Ms Tyrell, who has two children, and also runs a martial arts gym, adds: ‘I am lucky my job has flexible hours as it allows me to have family and training time.

‘Stepping into that ring is always a nerve-racking feeling, especially when you first see your opponent and hear the crowd.’