Southpaw helping MMA star Tim Wilde stay in shape

As the coronavirus pandemic forces everyone to stay at home, fighters are still battling to stay in shape for when the sport returns.

It's no different for Wolverhampton-born Bellator fighter Wilde, known as 'The Experiment', who is doing all he can to keep on top of his fitness.

"Compared to my normal training it's completely changed and I'm just doing what is readily available to me – a lot of running and cycling which I've enjoyed," he told Express & Star.

"A lot of the other stuff is home workouts, strength and conditioning and any bodyweight exercises I can do.

"I'm doing a lot of stretches and core work but I'll be honest, I'm missing the contact side of it with wrestling, jiu jitsu and sparring.

"All fighters that compete to my level will be missing that madly but that's the way it has to be for the foreseeable future.

"Bellator messaged asking for home videos of me working out and everyone was sending in videos of them doing sit ups and push ups in the house – so I thought I'd be a little bit different.

"It's something we do quite regularly, having a little play spar with the dog."

Although the physical side is important for any fighter, mental fitness is something that also needs addressing.

Now aged 32, lightweight fighter Wilde still insists on working on his mental state, particularly during isolation.

"My weight, fitness and strength will have obviously taken a little drop compared to my normal training but the thing I'm struggling with myself is the mental side of it," he added.

"I'm so used to being out and about, travelling to and from different gyms around all my teammates.

"The isolation is tough on your mindset.

"I have a hypnotist, like a mind performance coach for sport and he helps me a lot.

"I do a weekly session with him and probably talk to him over text message two or three times a week.

"That helps me personally and is something I've always invested in myself.

"I believe a lot of professional athletes push themselves to the limit physically, but need to also prepare mentally. It has helped me over the years.

"It's tough to keep motivation, especially when there's videos of people having house parties, boozing and having fun – having takeaways.

"It is hard because I relate being at home as time to chill, putting my feet up watching a movie or having a takeaway.

"Being here constantly I have to remember that for a few hours of the day it's work time as well, which also relates to the diet.

"I'm going to make sure that when we come out of this isolation I will be physically and mentally fit to get a fight straight away and be at the front of the queue."

Wilde, who is from Wednesfield and trains in Cannock, is also having to consider his finances during this off season.

Many fighters, and particularly those at the highest levels and big promotions such as Bellator, fight for a living – meaning the lack of action also means a lack of income.

"It's my livelihood, it's how I earn my money so financially it makes things difficult," Wilde said.

"Bellator pay very well and it wasn't too long back that I fought so I'm fortunate that I have a little bit of money tucked away, which can serve me so long.

"Ideally, May would have been a nice time to fight and see me through the rest of the year.

"I have enough money to keep me going until the end of the year if needs be - I'm quite good with my money.

"I didn't save thinking something like this would happen, but I've always kept a little bit behind if anything happens.

"I could do with a fight happening by the end of the year."

After his loss on his Bellator debut in May last year, The Experiment bounced back with a unanimous points decision win over Charlie Leary at Bellator London in November.

He was due to fight Alfie Davis on the Bellator London show in May, before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus, and his aim now is to bounce back fitter and stronger for a busy end to this year and 2021.

"Anyone who was fighting in the April, May, June time had it in the back of their mind that it might not happen," he said.

"Part of me knew it would be cancelled but I had the attitude of getting up and working hard because it's still on.

"When we got the news it was half expected but still just as disappointing.

"But it's what needs to be done to fight this pandemic, although it's frustrating.

"My aim is to get active again, I imagine Bellator will be throwing fight nights at us constantly.

"For me, I need to be as ready as I can for when we come back and then start making some noise and get fighting again.

"I'd love to squeeze two fights in this year.

"Going into next year I'm looking to have three to four fights with a view of by the end of the year making some noise around the title contention area."