A trip to A + E on Friday revealed that I have a cracked rib. I had elected not to go earlier despite the concerns of my wife, but instead to work through the pain that I had been feeling for the last few weeks.

What can I say, I did my best to get on with it, perhaps in the hope that it was a muscular injury and something that would ease in time, but alas no and it requires attention. The advice is to avoid contact work and this was confirmed by my trainer Sol Gilbert. Yes I am disappointed, I was due to develop my ground work skills and to take part in the ZT Amateur Tournament at this year’s White Air Festival.

What can I do? Well under the guidance of Sol I will still be able to train and he will put together a schedule for me, it will be challenging as I will be eager to push myself and I’m keen to improve, but until my injury is better I will have to do as I am told.

For now it will remain a mystery as to who cracked my rib; I have had a few hard sessions, been in the ring with heavier guys than me and sparred with a European Cage Fighting Champion, so take your pick.

The important thing to understand is that just like any other sport an injury is possible, however it serves as a gentle, (or not so gentle) reminder of how tough this challenge is and how full on this sport can be.