BULKED up, in good shape, at his best fighting weight and ready to rumble in his own back yard.
Derby-day destroyer Gabby Agbonlahor was the perfect big-hitter to help promote fellow Brummie Vaughan Lee’s venture into Ultimate Fighting Championship at Birmingham’s LG Arena.
Agbonlahor exchanged training tips with the martial arts fighter at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground this week and will show his support in the audience of the UFC 138 event on November 5.
But before then, the Holte End heavyweight has a big WBA bout of his own at Villa Park as he bids to help Villa defend their title as the Midlands’ top team.
Agbonlahor prefers battering Birmingham into submission with his goals but he has inflicted pain on the blue and white corner, too, in the past, scoring in home and away victories over the Baggies three seasons ago.
“It’s a big game for any of the local lads and it’s the same for every player who is from the area whether it’s Liverpool-Everton, City-United or one involving Villa,” said Agbonlahor.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t got Villa-Blues this year because everyone knows I love playing in that game and scoring against them.
“It would be nice to beat Albion. It’s a derby – it’s not as big as Blues is for us, or Wolves is for them – but it’s still a derby and like the fans we’re desperate to win it.
