A BRADFORD MMA fighter, who has won medals at world and European level, has travelled to the United States to challenge for another international title.

Joanne Doyle, who trains at the city’s Team Fulinkazan gym, faces American fighter Chi Sheibley for the World Class Fight League Flyweight title (WCFL). The event takes place in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, October 13. The WCFL is regarded as a stepping stone to higher level MMA competition. Successful fighters can be awarded contracts with larger organisations including Invicta Fight Championship and Bellator.

Doyle has a record of eight wins and three losses in MMA. Sheibley has five wins and four losses on her record.

Doyle said: “I’m so excited to be given the opportunity to fight for the WCFL title, it’s been a goal of mine to fight in the US.

“We were in contact with the promotion as they’ve previously held women’s amateur tournaments, we asked them to keep us in mind for future events and they offered me the title shot.

”I train all year round, however I’ve pushed myself to the limits for this fight as I know my opponent is tough and from a great gym.

“As much as it’s beneficial to have experience fighting abroad I’m aware the event is familiar territory for my opponent giving her the advantage.

"However, this is great motivation for me and I’m going there to get the win.”

The fight in Florida is one part of a busy end to the year for Doyle. She is both competing and coaching with the UK team in the 2018 Internal Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships. The event takes place in Bahrain from November 11 to 18, at Khalifa Sport City Arena and has the backing of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. Then in December, Doyle is fighting Dee Begley at the Cage Warriors event in Liverpool. Begley trains at Straight Blast Gym Ireland, which produced UFC icon Conor McGregor.

Earlier this year, Doyle secured her third medal in international competition, as part of the UK MMA Federation team (UKMMAF). She won Silver against Swedish fighter, Frida Vastamaki in the Bantamweight final at the 2018 IMMAF European Championships in Romania. Following that Doyle was appointed UKMMAF ladies team head coach.

In 2016, she won the Featherweight (65.8kg) gold medal at the IMAAF European Championships and bronze at Bantamweight (61.2kg), at the federation’s 2017 World Championships.

Doyle’s coaches include Team Fulinkazan founder and head coach Mark Spencer and her husband James Doyle.