Mixed martial arts is often associated with fierce competition inside the cage, but for many young athletes it represents something far more valuable: discipline, focus and a positive direction in life. In Mallorca, coach Dan Robson has been working to build exactly that environment through training and competition. With the launch of Apex Fighting Championship, he hopes to give young fighters a professional platform and keep more teenagers on the path of sport.
Q.— First of all, can you briefly introduce yourself; who you are and how you ended up in Mallorca?
A. — Dan Robson: My name’s Dan Robson and I’ve been living in Mallorca since around 2009. I originally came over after breaking my shoulder and collarbone, which meant I couldn’t train and compete for a while. A friend suggested I spend a season here working in Magalluf, so I came to work in security on the “Strip”.
Q.— You were already involved in MMA before moving here, weren’t you?
A. — Yes. I trained and fought back home and competed in several countries, including Spain, Ireland, Thailand and England. Mostly as an amateur. Over time I realised I actually prefer coaching. I still train myself, but these days I focus more on helping others develop their skills.
Q.— For people who may not know much about MMA, what are the benefits of practising it?
A. — Mixed martial arts, like any martial art, is great for both physical and mental health. Everyone deals with stress or personal problems, and when you step into the gym you can leave those things outside for a while.
When you train martial arts you have to listen, learn and stay focused. That concentration helps you switch off from everything else. After a session you feel clearer and more prepared to deal with whatever is going on in your life.
It’s also especially important for young people. Many teenagers today seem to go one of two ways – they can end up getting into trouble, or they discover something positive like sport. Martial arts give them discipline, structure and a healthier lifestyle.
Q.— How did you start coaching people here in Mallorca?
A. — I worked in security on the island for about fifteen years, but I always continued training. Eventually people began asking me to coach them, so I started building my personal training business.
For a long time I trained people outdoors in Magalluf, in a park area near where I live. Later I approached David Gómez at Fit Club Mallorca about sponsoring the first MMA event I organised last year. During that conversation he asked if I was still looking for a place to coach, and suggested I start teaching here. I’ve been running classes at the gym since May 2025.
Q.— What exactly does MMA involve?
A. — MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts and it combines techniques from several combat sports. The main disciplines include boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Some fighters also train in Muay Thai. Different athletes may have different backgrounds, but those are the main foundations of the sport.
Q.— You’re also organising an event here in Mallorca. Tell us about it.
A. — Yes, the event takes place on the 28th of March at Pirates reloaded in Magalluf, and it’s the second one I’ve organised on the island. I’ve recently rebranded it as Apex Fighting Championship. I wanted a stronger name that would allow the event to grow in the future. We’re already discussing the possibility of streaming the fights on pay-per-view, which would allow people in countries like England or Germany to watch it live.
Q.— Why are events like this important for local fighters?
A. — They give amateur athletes a real platform. Some of these fighters don’t have many opportunities or resources, but they have talent and big ambitions.
Before last year there weren’t many regular MMA events on the island. Now we’re building something more professional where local fighters can gain experience and showcase their abilities.
Q.— What can spectators expect on the night?
A. — There will be 12 fights in total. Most fights consist of three rounds of three minutes. The main event will be a championship fight for a belt, which will be five rounds of three minutes.
Q.— How important is safety and regulation in the sport?
A. — It’s essential. Our event is fully sanctioned and we work with the Balearic Wrestling Federation, which provides the officials. We also hire a professional medical team. Everything has to be done properly. If you want the sport to grow and be respected, organisation and safety are key.
Q.— What do you hope the future of MMA in Mallorca looks like?
A. — I want to help young fighters gain the experience they need and give them the platform they deserve. Mallorca already has several excellent gyms and talented athletes. Clubs like Neo Fight, Ground Fight Family, JM Fighters, KB fighters, The Farm BJJ and my own team Southwest MMA are producing strong fighters. I think in the coming years we’ll see some very talented athletes emerging from the island.
Contact:Web: https://southwestmma.com/ & Instagram: @southwestmma_academy