Who is former MMA fighter James Wilks?

JAMES Wilks is a retired English professional mixed martial artist.

Many know him as the winner of SpikeTV’s 2009 The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom.

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Who is James Wilks?

James Wilks was born on April 5, 1978 in Leicestershire.

According to his biography on his UFC page, he was first introduced to karate at the age of eight by his father.

He attended Uppingham School before attending Bournemouth University where he earned a Bachelors degree in Business and Land Management.

After graduating from university, he taught martial arts and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Taekwondo.

He also trained the US Marines, US Marshals, SWAT teams and US Navy SEALs in martial arts before becoming an MMA fighter.

What TV shows and movies has James starred in?

James starred in and produced the Netflix documentary The Game Changers while recovering from injuries sustained in combat.

The documentary follows James as he explores veganism and its impact on recovery.

Since airing in 2018, James has made a commitment to diet and credits it with his speedy recovery.

When did James become an MMA fighter?

In 2000, James traveled to Orange County, California to continue his martial arts training.

He trained professionally in the States for mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, with his first professional fight in October 2003, which he won.

He then took a two-year hiatus to focus on training and coaching students.

Returning to fighting, he eventually won the Gladiator Challenge welterweight title.

James made his professional debut in the UFC as an MMA fighter in 2009 and was crowned Welterweight Champion of the World.

In May 2012, he announced his retirement from active MMA competition after sustaining serious injuries, including a fractured vertebra.

Doctors told him he was at a “significantly high risk of paralysis” if he continued fighting.

Is James married and does he have children?

James is married to his wife Alice.

The happy couple have two children together.