Former Wolves keeper who beat leukemia becomes combat sports champion

Leukemia-surviving former Premier League soccer player Carl Ikeme has become a combat sports champion.

In 2017, the Wolves goalkeeper was diagnosed with leukemia and had to undergo 13 months of grueling treatment, which ended his footballing career. However, competition didn't stay away from the athlete for long.

He soon started training jiu-jitsu at the Gracie Barra club near his home in Sutton, Coldfield. Now 36, he is a British open-age champion and a bronze medalist at the IBJJF European Championships.

Talking to Express & Star about his martial arts journey, the former shot-stopper said:

“I had always wanted to try that discipline... I was in really good shape at the time... But I went along to the class, and I remember being absolutely gassed after a three-minute round. My legs were cramping, my back was in bits, and I suddenly realized that you don’t really know anything about fighting until you actually do it!”

The 36-year-old went on to note that learning jiu-jitsu has been one of the most humbling experiences of his life:

"Competition really wasn’t in my mind at the start. I just wanted to learn a new art, and I found it all a really humbling experience to be honest... And it’s about realizing that nothing else matters when you are on the mat as it’s just two people concentrating on trying to get the better out of each other."

Ikeme has always been a fight fan. Per a report by Shropshire Star, the soccer star is an avid follower of boxing and MMA, and has been a fan of the UFC for over a decade.

Carl Ikeme started his journey with Wolves in 2000 when he was just 14 years old. He made more than 200 league and cup appearances for the Premier League side.

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Joe Rogan explains the dark side of combat sports

UFC commentator Joe Rogan is an avid fan of all combat sports, especially MMA. However, the 55-year-old is well aware of the risks associated with the fight game.

During an appearance on the FLAGRANT podcast, he explained that the accumulated damage taken by combat sports athletes during their careers presents a greater risk of brain injuries.

Rogan outlined that even training sessions contribute greatly to the damage:

"That's kind of the problem with any kind of combat sports. When you're learning, it's not just the fights that give you damage. It's also all the training. Jerry Quarry fought Muhammad Ali... He was one of those guys that was a very good fighter in an age of great fighters. He fought the best of the best and took some tremendous beatings."

He continued:

"But his brother, who I think had very few fights had just as much brain damage as him. His brother and him used to spar... Those sparing sessions cannot be denied [when we talk about brain damage]."

Catch Joe Rogan's comments below: