Imagine someone who loves surfing, cooking on Instagram Live, cares for foster children, wears shirts that read “SPREAD LOVE”, knows all the words to The Notebook, and enjoys long walks on the beach. Now imagine that man is also a 6-foot-6, 205 lb athlete who punches people in the face for a living. That man is Luke Trainer, an undefeated Bellator fighter properly nicknamed “The Gent”.
There is much to like about Trainer, an English native, including his road to becoming a professional fighter. He grew up in a house where his Army veteran father had a passion for boxing. However, Trainer’s love for fighting came from watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and other action cartoons as a child.
“I always loved the idea of being a ninja, and you can’t be a turtle,” Trainer said.
It was a torn ligament suffered playing rugby at 18 that truly helped Trainer find his future career path. During his rehabilitation, he found a Jiu-Jitsu class and quickly fell in love with the sport. He eventually found his way onto the amateur MMA circuit and compiled a 6-1 record.
As a pro, Trainer is flawless through 4 fights. His last victory came at quick dispatch via ground and pound against Alex O’Toole at Bellator Euro Series 8. His goals are simple: win the Bellator light heavyweight title. Then, climb a division and win another title. Trainer humbly admits he needs to get his feet wet a little more in the Bellator waters before getting a shot at the strap. Despite limitations English COVID restrictions have placed on training, The Gent has managed to stay in shape and is primed and ready for another bout.
Fighting may be Trainer’s main passion, he also has a diverse range of hobbies and interests. He hosts a regular cooking show on his Instagram Live (@lukethegent) called “Cooking With The Gent”. Trainer brings an upbeat attitude, jokes, and close fan interaction to each episode. He can cook steak for one or hamburgers for half a dozen. Trainer considers himself “Gordon Ramsay without all the swear words”. Every show is different but guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Trainer and his parents also care for foster children, who can be seen in his Cooking with The Gent episodes and are often the recipients of his delicious meals. He sees himself as a role model to the foster kids and is rarely seen trash-talking or calling other fighters out. It was this that caught the attention of one of MMA’s biggest names in Ariel Helwani, who commented on the 24-year-old’s positive attitude. Trainer is able to differentiate himself in the octagon from himself outside of that and truly considers the children he works with to be his purpose in life.
It’s difficult to find fighters like Luke Trainer in today’s social media-driven world. The Gent provides respect, good manners, and positivity in and out of the octagon while continuing to rise up in the ranks of professional fighting. His future and the future he provides for foster children are nothing but bright and filled with potential.