THE BIG GRAPPLE

England prop Mikolaj says watching UFC fighters up close will help him become an even tougher Rhino

- DAVE CRAVEN

THERE could be plenty of Mikolaj Oledzki's Leeds team-mates thinking twice about taking him on in the wrestling stakes.

The England prop is formidable enough as one of Super League's most powerful forwards.

But after attending the recent UFC event in London - as a VIP guest of rugby league's strategic partners IMG - he has picked up extra tips.

Impressed Oledzki, 24, watched mixed martial arts stars Tom Aspinall and Molly McCann and admitted: "It was an amazing experience to see the UFC up close.

"You probably don't appreciate it as much watching on TV as you do when you see it for real. They go in and try to do each other with their bare hands, basically trying to knock each other unconscious.

"It's crazy to see the kind of mindset they must try and get themselves in to perform.