Two Bradford brothers secured stunning stoppage victories on FightStar championships MMA show at Bradford Live, with Tom Mullen winning the promotion’s welterweight title belt and brother Callum’s performance proving he’s now also a title contender. The brothers are well known on the Bradford combat sports scene and run StrikeKings gym on Sunbridge Road BD1.

“I’m so proud to have won this belt in my home city,” said an elated Tom, 26, interviewed post-fight. “It’s a dream come true. It was meant to be three five-minute rounds, but the opponent was taking a battering, so the referee waved it off halfway through the second round after my opponent had submitted. I’d already had him on the canvas much of the first round. I want to thank everyone who supported me and particularly my managers, Phil Simpson and Phil Turner, and Dean Garnett, my coach, who make it worthwhile travelling to Liverpool several times a week. The success I’ve had is down to their guidance as much as any talent I have.”

MMA bouts frequently turn into a bloodbath, and when Tom Mullen entered the ring the canvas was still streaked with bloodstains from hopefully relatively superficial head wounds sustained by both Callum Mullen and his opponent during their lightweight bout two fights earlier. “It was a bit of a bloodbath,” said Callum, 27, “but the cutman sorted it. The referee stopped the contest about ten seconds from the end of round two. I’d had my opponent pinned down most of that round, and by that point he was bleeding profusely from the head. I’d enjoyed putting on a show, proving what I’m made of while entertaining supporters, and was proud to have got the win. I was just doing my thing, and I’m grateful to my coach, Carl Prince, from Manchester Top Team.”

“We were delighted to return to Bradford Live for FSC36,” said FightStar’s Raj Singh. “We’re a northern-based promotion which has been putting on high-quality MMA shows throughout the country for thirteen years now. Our show last October was the first combat sports event at Bradford Live, which is a high-quality venue that meets our needs exactly. FSC is proud to present entertaining and exciting high-intensity shows featuring top amateur and professional adult MMA fighters with solid records, all from reputable gyms.”

Tom Mullen is “hopeful I’ll be coming to the attention of Dana White. I’ll be back in the gym grafting and knowing that I’m capable of being on the international stage. Combat sports fans will know exactly who Dana White is. Hopefully lots more people in Bradford will become fans once I represent our city in the UFC. I’m just waiting for the call to put Bradford on the map.” An ambition shared by Callum. “He’s not the only one. The Mullen brothers will now prove unstoppable.”

Tom and Callum are doing great work in Bradford to help people reach their personal goals through combat sports. The brothers are modest about their strong contribution to the city, as shown by their still teaching some classes on fight day, as they were keen not to let anyone down. They’re also grieving the recent loss of their grandmother, who’d had an ongoing major influence on both brothers.

FSC 36 took place at Bradford Live and saw four amateur MMA bouts and six professional fights involving fighters from as far away as Brazil. Tom Mullen defeated Brazilian fighter Cristiano Cruz, and Callum won against Elicarlos Pinheiro. FightStar plans to return to Bradford Live later in 2026.

Those interested in sponsoring the Mullen brothers or in training at Strike Kings should make contact via Instagram @strike_kingsmma or by e-mail to tiahmullen@icloud.com. According to the Tapology fighter database, Tom Mullen’s record now stands at twelve wins in fourteen professional MMA bouts and Callum's at eleven wins in fourteen.

The Mullen brothers appreciate the generosity of the following sponsors, mainly based in Bradford: Abraham's Solicitors, Amaan's Express, Bold as Brett Tattoos, Dixons, Frequency Clothing, Gibson Vehicle Rental, Lahori Dhaba, Mr. Parmo, Red Group Scaffolding Ltd., Team SOS, The Flower Patch, The Window Factory North Ltd., Wirewand, and Zolsha. Callum Mullen is also sponsored by Hussain Property and Zaki Cupping.