Our City Our People Our Heart

“People think it’s a barbaric, underground sport. But actually, most of it’s like a dance,” Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann

These photographs share the story of male community in a mixed martial arts gym in north UK. This work has followed the fighting community at Next Generation gym in the city of Liverpool, documenting a nuanced kinship among its men that softens fixed perceptions of toxic masculinity in this sport. Strength, fighting instinct and competition exists alongside intimacy, high intelligence and a gentleness, as these boys and men seek male community and psychological safety in the discipline and haven of the gym.

Next Generation is a gym built with intention from roots in California 20 years ago, to bring together people from all walks of life - including women - and create a legacy, local heroes and opportunities for the city’s young boys to look to.

This tight-knit community ranges from 7 year olds to accomplished professional fighters, including UFC stars, who use their global platform to advocate for men’s mental health and raise awareness about male suicide in this northern UK city.