OKTAGON MMA - Stage to the Cage (2023)

Paul Smith wonders if he wants to get into a cage with someone who wants to punch his head in. Meanwhile, Jake Quickenden would rather get hurt than quit so he's definitely in the right place.

Paul and Jake travel to Ireland, home to some of MMA's best gyms and fighters. As training ramps up, Jake wonders why he suddenly looks 45 years old and Paul gets 'tickled' by top coach John Kavanagh.

Jake has to lose 17 kilos to make weight, but at 35 he's feeling it and he's kicked all the hair off his legs. Data-loving Paul gets dressed up like Bain to do a fitness test at Science to Health.

Paul's wife Lori is clear - if you lose, don't come home. Oh, and he has a 'Hulk nip'. After eating curry on TV, Jake imagines how he'd deal with a gang of youths in a car park... then breaks wind.

Paul's soaking up the knowledge of multiple coaches including Owen Livesey. Is it too much information? Jake's running a marathon dressed as a bone but is concerned about his 'chocolate' hamstrings.

In this episode, both fighters start to question why they ever got into the whole process, but slow and steady progress after week's of hard work buoys them both. A new found appreciation for MMA is their mindset, as the fight at the AO Arena in Manchester ticks over to 6 months away.

After three weeks off through injury, Paul gets a myofascial scrape that leaves him red raw and turning the air blue. And Jake risks his groin and hammies by taking part in a charity football match.

Jake's having a bad day. He's knackered. His body's broken. On the upside - he's shredded. Paul finds himself in deep water when he disses Transformers. But he knows he must get used to discomfort.

Work-life balance? Paul plays two huge gigs having taken a sweet upper cut to the cheek during training. Jake laments the training time he'll lose as he begins rehearsals for the Full Monty.

Jake starts an eight-month run of Full Monty and gives new meaning to spring out of bed. Paul's pushing himself to the absolute limit, but still wonders if he's doing enough. Now fight camp begins.

As he tries to make weight, Jake gets hangry, which isn't helped by jogging to the wrong gym for training. Paul tries to get used to being locked in a cage and hit and collects another black eye.

Spa or spar? The fight nears and training intensifies giving new meaning to the word spa when uttered by a celebrity. Instead of backrubs and champagne it's being punched in the face and real pain.

The lads take stock - the sacrifices, the little steps as well as the big leaps. Paul has his body composition assessed. Although laidback, Jake can tense up on the mat so needs to be able to reset.

Two distinct personalities have emerged. Jake the man of faith trusts his training and loves big hits. Paul the man of science focuses on his numbers and favours grappling. Which style will prevail?

In the final episode, Paul completes his last sparring session fully hydrated. Jake's body has had enough and he's down with a dose of 'man flu'.