British cage fighter known as Taylor Swift says he virtually modified his title as a result of ‘the group laughs at him’ – however has discovered to shake it off!
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.
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.’
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 it into a positive and use it to help him turn pro in the sport he loves.
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.’
![Will the real Taylor Swift please stand up? MMA fighter Taylor Swift, 21, is a rising star in his sport - but says sharing a name with one of the world's famous women can be tricky](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/11/94631595-14337285-image-a-7_1738149626306.jpg)
Will the real Taylor Swift please stand up? MMA fighter Taylor Swift, 21, is a rising star in his sport – but says sharing a name with one of the world’s famous women can be tricky
![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)
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)
In the cage last weekend, Swift notched up another win, despite carrying a calf injury, and has been touted as a future star of MMA. The full-contact combat sport uses a variety of techniques from martial arts.
And although Taylor Swift the singer may be one of the world’s biggest pop stars with 14 Grammys to her name, her string of hits, including Shake it Off and Bad Blood, haven’t quite made her young namesake’s playlist.
The cage fighter admitted he’s not a Swiftie and would struggle to name more than a few of her songs – but says in spite of audiences at his fights laughing, his romantic partners don’t really make much of it once they get used to the idea.
Swift was seen at Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri this weekend.
Travis’ NFL team defeated the Buffalo Bills 32-29 and secured its place in the 2025 Super Bowl at home at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday.
![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)
The rising star of cage fighting says he hopes to use his name to help conjure up sponsorship to help him turn pro
![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)
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
![Having won three out of his four last bouts, Taylor the cage fighter says the crowd always reacts when his name is announced](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/11/94631589-14337285-image-m-15_1738149666508.jpg)
![Taylor pictured after a bout](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/11/94631593-14337285-image-a-16_1738149670811.jpg)
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
![Taylor Swift celebrates with boyfriend Travis Kelce after a Kansas City Chiefs win against the Buffalo Bills this week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/10/94560793-14337285-The_Super_Bowl_LIX_takes_place_at_the_Caesars_Superdome_in_New_O-a-4_1738147571712.jpg)
Taylor Swift celebrates with boyfriend Travis Kelce after a Kansas City Chiefs win against the Buffalo Bills this week
![The singer, who has 282 million Instagram followers and 14 Grammys, pictured in Kansas City on January 26th](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/10/94560803-14337285-And_fans_think_this_means_that_she_is_head_over_heels_in_love_an-m-6_1738147583565.jpg)
The singer, who has 282 million Instagram followers and 14 Grammys, pictured in Kansas City on January 26th
And after the win, the tight-end and the pop superstar shared a smooch on the field as confetti poured down over them.
Speaking after the win, Travis led the crowd into a rendition of Get Down Tonight by KC and The Sunshine Band.
He told the stadium: ‘Hey, before you guys get out of here.’ On a high, Travis began singing: ‘Just do a little dance. Make a little love.’
The Super Bowl LIX takes place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9.
It will see the Chiefs up against the Philadelphia Eagles after they claimed victory in their NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders.
Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show and recently confirmed he will be joined onstage by his longtime collaborator SZA.