THE Bulls have taken to mixed martial arts as the fight hots up to buy the financially-stricken club.

Final bids must be with the administrator by tomorrow evening, although reports that there could be a decision before the end of the week may be premature.

The players and staff were paid their November wages in full and the pre-season programme so far has been unaffected – and coach Rohan Smith varied their preparations by swapping the training pitch for the MMA gym.

The squad spent a day with the Asylum Vale Tudo team in Birstall, where they were put through their paces by experts Adam Simpson, Jay Furness and Dawid Zan.

Smith said: "We wanted to do something different and it's not uncommon for rugby league teams to do a bit of boxing and wrestling.

"We've got a link with a young lad who does some work with our under-16s and under-19s and is also an MMA athlete and he arranged it.

"The boys went down there and had a good day. They like learning new skills and being challenged and it was a good break from the routine.

"There was one good shiner and a couple of bloody noses – but that's part and parcel with rugby league training. It wasn't any more intense than what we do on a weekly basis."

Bulls half-back Dane Chisholm tweeted: "All the boys loved throwing each other around."

Smith has played down rumours that the club's future might be settled within the next few days. He said: "That would be fantastic if it could be true. But we're just concentrating on what we're about.

"The players aren't part of the decision-making process and neither am I. Our preparation for the season ahead doesn't change, whatever else might be going on."