MMA fighter and cancer survivor Aaron Aby set for 'toughest fight to date'

Aaron Aby of Wrexham is set to take on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rival Gerardo Fanny during the main card of Cage Warriors 136 at the BEC Arena in Manchester tomorrow night (Saturday). The flyweight division fight is scheduled for three rounds.

Aby will face a tough test against Fanny, who has only been defeated twice in his career, but the Wrexham man is used to tough challenges. When you consider that he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a youngster and also overcame a battle with cancer just a few years ago, Aby's achievements are all the more impressive.

The former Wrexham AFC youngster told North Wales Live that victory in tomorrow night's bout would go a long way to helping him achieve his ambitions within the sport of MMA. At the age of 32, Aby knows that time is of the essence but is still confident he can reach the pinnacle of the sport.

When asked about his past health problems, Aby said that it has made him even more determined to succeed. He said: "I think I've always been a determined person, obviously I grew up with Cystic Fibrosis so growing up I always wanted to prove people wrong and prove I was still normal. Playing different sports and doing well always made me feel I was just like the rest of my friends.

"The adversity I've been through has helped me to develop as a person. They all relate and benefit each other.

"I'm always going to have Cystic Fibrosis, it's well managed at the moment and I'm two years cancer free now as well. Cystic Fibrosis is something I'll always have so I've just got to stay on top of it."

Aby is under no illusions about how tough it will be to overcome Gerardo Fanny tomorrow night. If he does emerge victorious however, he is confident that it will go a long way towards