1: When did you start training as an MMA fighter?

I started training in MMA when I came home from Afghanistan in the middle of my tour on my RR for 2 week. when I arrived home a gym called Fight Base had opened down the road from my house and they were having an open day, so I went down for a look and trained all day, I really enjoyed it. I came back from my tour and started to train at the gym full time early 2012, I was probably only there 2 month and had my first fight in Wales at Colwyn Bay and won by TKO, my MMA career had begun.

2: How long have you been training with Tom Blackledge?

I have been training with Tom now for about since around 2013.

3: What has been you most memorable fight to date?

My most memorable fight I'd say was against Antonio Sheldon at ICE FC, which was a proper test, I got dropped early in the first round but came back to win a 5 round war on points. A lot of people i have spoken to have said it was the best amateur fight they have ever seen, makes me feel pretty proud of that fight.

4: What's a day in the life of Aaron Johnson like?

Get up 0530, breakfast, go to work around 0630 finish work 1700, go home and walk my dogs. PT a client then 1930 off to training at Blackledge MMA until around 2130. Head home and chill for an hour then bed. Wake up, repeat, lol. At the weekend I train Saturday morning 1200 till 1400, go home, go for a run around 1800 then chill the beans.

5: What are your aspirations for your future in MMA?

Suppose like anyone who competes in this sport I want to get to the UFC and earn a world title, if you don't think you can do that or don't think you will do it then you are in the wrong game. I would like to be known as an exciting and entertaining fighter who gives it his all and puts it on the line.

6: Who inspires you in the world of MMA and why?

Obviously the man himself, Mr Blackledge, he's a big inspiration training with him day in day out and seeing the passion he still has for the sport, his fighters and what he has achieved in the sport. There are a lot of fighters who inspire me in different ways. I loved how exciting Sakuraba was, I'm also big fan of Frankie Edgar but a big one for me is Robbie lLawlar, as kid I used to watch him and his highlight vids on Youtube, when he was younger knocking everyone out, then he got dropped by UFC and went on real roller-coaster ride with a mixed bag of wins and losses, but he came back to UFC a world champion. It just goes to show if you keep on grinding away and believe in yourself you can and will succeed!