Shajidul Haque, 34, from South Shields, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of mixed martial arts. A decorated fighter and respected coach, the British-Bangladeshi athlete is best known for clinching the Cage Warriors World Championship title and holding multiple accolades across UK promotions including Almighty Fighting and Made4TheCage.
Ranked as the No.1 Flyweight in Europe this year, Haque’s journey from a teenager seeking self-defence to becoming the continent’s top fighter is one of grit, discipline and quiet determination.
Born in Bangladesh and raised in South Shields, Haque first walked into a kickboxing class at the age of 14, driven by a need to feel safe after being attacked by a stranger on the street.
“I got hit once on the street by an older kid, a complete stranger, and it left me feeling really vulnerable,” he said. “That moment stuck with me. I never wanted to feel that helpless again.”
What began as a weekly class at a local youth group soon turned into an all-consuming passion. “I was consistent and disciplined. Eventually, I realised I could actually compete,” he added.
That realisation was cemented after his first amateur victory. “People talk about ‘catching the bug,’ and that’s exactly what happened. Winning that fight was one of the best experiences of my life. It lit a fire in me to keep going.”
From amateur bouts to professional titles, Haque’s rise was defined by persistence. A pivotal moment came in 2015 when he took on Ronnie Mann, one of the UK’s top fighters at the time.
“People thought I was crazy for taking that fight. There was a lot of doubt, but I wanted to prove I belonged at that level,” Haque said.
He didn’t just win – he silenced critics and proved to himself that he could go all the way. That victory paved the way for a European title and ultimately, a world championship belt.
In 2022, he achieved a long-standing personal goal by capturing the Cage Warriors world
title on New Year’s Eve, something he had set his sights on as part of a New Year’s resolution.
But Haque’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. After a painful loss and a series of injuries, he briefly considered retiring.
“I became a father, and that was one of the reasons I was going to stop. But I didn’t want my child to think his dad gave up after his worst loss,” he said.
Instead, Haque rebuilt, mentally and physically. Within 18 months, he fought 15 times, ultimately securing another shot at a world title.
Today, he juggles the demanding roles of fighter, coach, husband and father. As head coach at ACE MMA in South Shields, Haque trains everyone from beginners to professionals in MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.
“It’s not motivation you need—it’s discipline,” he said. “When you get disciplined, motivation naturally kicks in because you start realising what you’re capable of.”
Behind the scenes, he relies on the support of his wife, children and dedicated coaching staff. “Having a supportive family makes all the difference. My wife has stood by me through it all.”
Haque is also passionate about representation in combat sports. As a South Asian athlete, he is keen to challenge stereotypes and create visible role models for young people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“When I was young, I loved martial arts films, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, but I never imagined myself doing it professionally. I don’t think anyone in my family did either,” he said.
“I want to show others, especially from South Asian backgrounds, that sport isn’t just a hobby, it can be a career. We didn’t have those examples growing up. That’s changing now.”
As he prepares for his next fight this summer, Haque remains focused not just on the cage, but on his broader mission empowering others through ACE MMA and promoting resilience, discipline and personal growth through martial arts.
“It’s not just about fighting,” he said. “It’s about building character, mental strength and becoming the best version of yourself.”
