Sam’s competitive career was over—but Tom’s was just starting. Once Sam was well enough to train again, he joined Tom at Big Bear BJJ under one of their old training partners, Bear, from their Infinity MMA days. There they trained a mix of striking, MMA and BJJ. They also started training with Buster Keefe in Dover—a fighter who even fought former UFC heavyweight champion Dan Severn.

Unable to let go of his competitive nature, Sam agreed to have one more fight—against everyone’s wishes, including his brother and coaches. Unable to train properly and still carrying a severe brain injury, this fight became not only the only MMA fight he ever lost, but also the only time he was ever stopped in competitive fighting. Sam later suffered a stroke and spent significant time recovering.

Taking it worldwide

Not long after, Tom travelled Thailand—In this time Tom once again surrounded himself with the best gyms they had to offer from training with 10x muay thai world champion John Wayne Parr at boonchu gym, to multiple time world champion Luis Regis at SRG Thai boxing Tom would continue to fight and remain undefeated on the pro muay thai scene. Before he returned to the uk a number of years later.

Opening Masons

While Tom was away, Sam continued honing his craft—training with former heavyweight pro MMA champion Dayman Lake at Zilla Training, and building a close bond with Ade Phillips of Savage Muay Thai (a gym the Masons will always refer to as their brothers-in-arms). Sam was working as a personal trainer at Bannatyne’s when he decided to walk out one day and open his own gym—something he and his brother had always dreamed of. After twisting Tom’s arm to help him run it (Tom thought he was crazy for walking out of a stable job), fast forward a few years and here we are… Masons Fight, Strength & Fitness.