Former Male Stripper Quits Dating Show to Pursue MMA Glory

From Stripping to Striking: Akonne Wanliss' Journey to MMA Supremacy

Akonne Wanliss, a former male stripper and potential reality TV star, has chosen to pursue his dream of becoming an MMA champion instead. The European star, signed to Oktagon MMA, boasts an impressive record of 6-2 in the cage since starting the sport at the age of 23.

Trading G-strings for Gloves: Wanliss' Career Transition

For the past decade, Wanliss has been dazzling audiences as a male stripper across Europe. However, this year he decided to hang up his dancing shoes and focus solely on MMA. It was a surprising shift for Wanliss, who had initially started martial arts as a schoolboy but later succumbed to the allure of kickboxing at 21.

The Text That Changed Everything

A chance text message from his former sensei, calling him out and questioning his fighting skills, prompted Wanliss to reignite his passion for combat sports. Determined to prove himself, he turned up for sparring the next day, despite being hungover, and kickstarted his journey to becoming an MMA fighter.

From Strips to Takedowns: Wanliss' Fight for Success

After winning three amateur kickboxing titles, Wanliss's attention shifted towards MMA. A chance offer to perform at a Ladies Night event led him to a decade-long career as a male stripper. However, Wanliss decided to retire from stripping this year to focus on his true passion: MMA.

The Ultimate Sacrifice: Turning Down Netflix Stardom

Wanliss's dedication to MMA is evident in his refusal to participate in the debut season of Netflix's reality dating show, Too Hot to Handle. Despite being offered £20,000 to cover potential loss of earnings, he turned down the opportunity to make his debut with Bellator in 2019. He remains content with his decision and is determined to make a name for himself as a professional fighter.

Fighting for Glory: Wanliss' Ambitions in MMA

Wanliss returns to the cage on Saturday night in Prague, facing off against Georgia's Giorgi Gogotchuri at Oktagon 45. With his sights set on becoming pound-for-pound No.1 in MMA, Wanliss is determined to leave a lasting legacy in the sport. His focus lies on winning the Oktagon title and continuing to climb the ranks fight after fight.