Publicity stunt? It seems not.
The professional mixed martial arts debut of Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers was initially written off as something of a sideshow given the fact that he was given the opportunity to make his bow in one of Europe’s most respected MMA organisations.
BAMMA 29 hosted Chalmers’ first fight but the lead-up did nothing to dispel the theory that it was nothing but an attempt from both promotion and Chalmers to get the public talking.
Initially scheduled for a lightweight clash with Liverpool’s Greg Jenkins, Chalmers came in a full 15lbs overweight and the fight was changed to a welterweight bout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y3IONuaKxc
The weigh-ins also saw the reality star add further hype to his debut by engaging in a shoving match with his opponent and many wrote off the legitimacy of both Chalmers and the fight itself.
Well the 29-year-old has proven everybody wrong in the cage in Birmingham as he claimed a first-round submission victory over Jenkins.
Finding himself in side control early on, Chalmers grabbed a hold of a loose arm and sunk in a controlled and patient Americana, drawing the tap from Jenkins just two minutes into the contest.
1st round win @AaronCGShore @GazGShore @ScottGShore pic.twitter.com/hh7qelfeZJ
— cameron Holland (@Camholland98) May 12, 2017
So turns out the guy can fight then!
Get in there @AaronCGShore lad! Sharp silenced the boo's 👊🏼 absolutely smashed it mate
— James Tindale (@JamesGShore) May 12, 2017
Yes azzzz EASSYYY @AaronCGShore
— Becca Edwards (@beccaedwardsXX) May 12, 2017
Well in @AaronCGShore proved a lot of people wrong class performance! 🙌🏽
— Kyle Christie ☠️ (@KyleCGShore) May 12, 2017
Travelled 3 hours to watch @AaronCGShore sit on someone and bang them out in 2 mins 😂 go on son
— just sarah (@sarlougoodhart) May 12, 2017