TV | Girl Fight: BBC Northern Ireland series follows female MMA fighters in Ballymena

From left: Niamh McNeill, Rachel McIlhagga and Chloe Crozier

A new BBC Northern Ireland documentary series is set to shine a light on the resilience, ambition and personal struggles of female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters in Ballymena.

Girl Fight, a three-part series launching on Wednesday 10 September at 10.40pm on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer, follows the journeys of three women as they step into the cage.

The series explores not only the physical demands of the sport but also the personal battles that drive each fighter forward.

At the heart of the series is the gym run by Rodney Moore, a seasoned MMA champion and coach renowned for helping ordinary people push beyond their limits to become elite fighters.

Among the women taking centre stage is Chloe Crozier, who has faced setbacks both inside and outside the cage. Determined to go professional, Chloe says:

“I feel like I’m a person that I never thought I would be. I’m so much more than what I ever imagined. Never underestimate yourself. You can take the power back.”

Her story is one of resilience as she seeks to turn personal hardship into motivation, with her next fights carrying some of the highest stakes of her career.

Also featured is Niamh McNeill, who has trained in MMA for nearly a decade alongside her sparring partner – her mother. For Niamh, the sport began as a lifeline for her mental health and is now helping prepare her for a new chapter abroad.

Rachel McIlhagga

Completing the trio is Rachel ‘the Diva’ McIlhagga, who is grappling with the aftermath of a bruising defeat. Struggling with self-doubt, Rachel faces the difficult task of rebuilding her confidence as she prepares for her next bout.

The series promises a raw and intimate insight into the lives of these fighters, capturing the physical risks, emotional struggles, and personal growth that come with life inside the cage.

Girl Fight begins on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 10 September at 10.40pm, with all three episodes available to stream.