Jake Quickenden's incredible three stone body transformation for his MMA debut

From X Factor Star to MMA Fighter

Jake Quickenden, the former X Factor contestant, is gearing up for his professional MMA debut, and he's undergone a jaw-dropping transformation in the process. The reality TV star has shed an impressive three stone, all by giving up his love for chocolate and crisps.

Stepping into the Cage

This Saturday, Oktagon MMA comes to Manchester, and Quickenden will be stepping into the cage to face comedian Paul Smith. Weighing in at 77kg (12st 1lb), Quickenden's journey from 97kg (15st 2lb) is truly remarkable.

The Secrets Behind the Weight Loss

So, how did the 35-year-old achieve such a dramatic transformation? Quickenden revealed, "A lot of training and less chocolates and crisps! It’s been a challenge if I’m honest because I love my food."

He added, "But it’s on track this final week is the final cut and on Friday I will be there on 77kg ready to go on Saturday." Quickenden has been following a strict diet of yogurts, fruit, chicken, steak, eggs, and the occasional protein bar for the past year.

The Mental Battle

While the physical changes are impressive, Quickenden also faced mental challenges along the way. Juggling a life on stage and in the gym proved to be the toughest part of his grueling journey.

He admitted, "The mental battle of getting up to go and train at 6am when I’ve got two shows with The Full Monty on tour. Or getting up when the kids are all tucked up in bed and going for a run or missing a family day because I can’t go for a Sunday lunch because I’ve got to go and train."

Keeping it in the Family

Quickenden comes from a family of fighters. His late father Paul and younger brother Oliver, both of whom sadly passed away, were boxers. His older brother Adam also boxed. Quickenden wanted to continue the family tradition of fighting.

He explained, "I was kind of the one who didn’t do any combat sports, I stuck to footie and played a good standard. That was another reason too, I wanted to keep it in the family because they all boxed and I was always the footballer rather than the boxer."

The Future in the Cage

After this weekend's debut, Quickenden will officially be a pro fighter. However, he's unsure about his future in the cage. He said, "If I get in there and get an absolute buzz for it and I feel amazing and I get the win, then potentially it could be something that I want to do."

Quickenden has already spoken to Oktagon, who are eager to have him on board. But he added, "Plus I’m 35, I’m not deluded, I’m not going to start calling out all the big names like Jake Paul and start calling out Canelo."

Regardless of what lies ahead, Quickenden is committed to continuing his training. He believes it has been an incredible journey, both physically and mentally.