 Mann grew up in Cheltenham , England . Mann also idolised Marco <unk> and Royce Gracie as a youngster after being introduced to the Ultimate Fighting Championship . Mann began taking Muay Thai lessons at the age of 11 and participated in jiu @-@ jitsu and kickboxing tournaments at the age of 13 . Mann competed in his first amateur fight at the age of 16 and turned professional a year later . In Japan , he fought under the name of Ronnie Ushiwaka , his mother 's maiden name . ( His Mothers Maiden Name was <unk> ( <unk> ) Mann 's professional mixed martial arts career began in November 2003 with a win over Andy Dicks . A few months later , Mann made his Shooto debut , at Shooto Holland where he won via triangle choke after 56 seconds . Staying in Holland , Mann won a further fight , knocking his opponent out in under two minutes . Mann then recorded five successive submission victories . 
