British cage fighter called Taylor Swift says he almost changed his name because 'the crowd laughs at him' - but has learned to shake it off!
British cage fighter called Taylor Swift says he almost changed his name because 'the crowd laughs at him' - but has learned to shake it off!
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A British cage fighter with a name almost everyone has heard of says he's decided to embrace it - despite people often breaking out in laughter when they hear it. The 21-year-old rising MMA star from Cheltenham is called Taylor Swift, and sharing a name with one of the world's most famous women isn't always easy, he says.
![[When the younger Taylor was born 21 years ago, the global pop icon was just a teenager - and yet to make her impression on the world (Taylor Swift pictured at the MTV video awards)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/10/94630257-14337285-image-a-1_1738146985264.jpg)
Speaking to The Sun, the rising cage fighting star who works as an apprentice electrician said it can be annoying at weigh-ins, or when he's introduced to audiences ahead of a clash - and definitely raises a smile at passport control. 'Even at weigh-ins, people start laughing. The worst part is when the announcer is reading out the names before a fight.'.
![[The rising star of cage fighting says he hopes to use his name to help conjure up sponsorship to help him turn pro]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/11/94631599-14337285-image-a-8_1738149640602.jpg)
When the 6ft fighter was born, global pop star Taylor Swift, now 35, was unheard of, but he told MailOnline that while he didn't notice his name was unusual as a child, he certainly does now. However, the martial arts whizz says after considering changing it to something not associated with a megastar, he's decided to turn the association into a positive and use it to help him turn pro in the sport he loves.
![[The 21-year-old says as a child he didn't really notice that his name - but now it's a huge deal as his own career grows]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/11/94631603-14337285-image-m-17_1738149682786.jpg)
He currently has nearly 6,000 followers on Instagram - versus the singer's 282million, but hopes that the attention about his name will win him vital sponsorship deals. Swift said: 'The name will help. A big part of the sport is about media and sales. It’s hard to become a pro, so everything helps.'.
![[Having won three out of his four last bouts, Taylor the cage fighter says the crowd always reacts when his name is announced. Right: Taylor after a fight]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/11/94631589-14337285-image-m-15_1738149666508.jpg)
