'When they say where I'm from the crowds go crazy'

A sport fighting competitor says she feels like she has put her small town on the map by winning her first mixed martial arts (MMA) world championship.

Kennedy Freeman, from Stanley in County Durham, beat Mafalda Carmona to become Bantamweight World Champion at the Cage Warriors 181 event in Newcastle.

The 28-year-old said 4,000 fans "erupted" after her opponent retired from the fight after the fourth round.

"Coming from a small town like Stanley you don't expect moments like this," she said.

"I've got such a serious face when I'm in the cage and then, every time the announcer announces where I'm from, Stanley, the crowds just go crazy, I just get a little grin on my face.

"You're kind of putting your town on the map, almost, and you're doing it for everybody from the area where you're from."

Freeman comes from a fighting family. Her father, Ian Freeman, was the first British fighter to compete in America's Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is recognised as trailblazer in the UK MMA scene.

"Making it to that level would be really special," his daughter said.

"Having someone like my dad, who's been there and done that, is always great for advice."

Freeman, who trains in Sunderland, is one of only two women fighters, along with Liverpool's Molly McCann, to hold a Cage Warriors World Title.

Some of the biggest names in MMA, such as Conor McGregor and Paddy Pimblett, won the belt before finding success in the UFC.

"If the UFC knock on my door, I'll be ready to fly the flag for the North East," Freeman said.

Freeman is yet to be beaten and has recorded six wins, three by way of knockout.

Beginning her career at 21, she won her first two bouts in 2018 before a pause for hip surgery.

Supported by a big following on social media, Freeman returned to the cage in 2023, winning three times in quick succession.

She said she faced a "tough fight" on Saturday but, "when you've got a crowd going crazy for you, you can't do anything other than put on a good performance".

Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].