While the name Tinkerbell may, at first, conjure up images of a little blonde fairy in a green dress, the sight of JP ‘Tinkerbell’ Kruger (27), standing at just shy of 191cm (6’3″), is enough to convince anyone that this mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter is a force to be reckoned with in the cage.
With an impressive record in the cage, Tinkerbell will be taking on Garreth ‘Soldierboy’ McLellan in a title fight at The Coca-Cola Dome on March 27 with the aim of taking Soldierboy’s EFC Middleweight Africa title away from him.
This will be his fifth EFC fight.
Tinkerbell, who grew up and was schooled in Springs, took time from his training schedule – where he was joined by a number of well muscled men training to the smooth tunes of Taylor Swift – this week to chat to the Addy about MMA and why this growing sport gets him so excited.
Springs Advertiser (SA): Why MMA?
JP: Simply MMA is right for me. K1 isn’t going very far in South Africa so if you want the big fights here and internationally MMA is the sport to be in. I fight for XKT Pro League – they raised me up to be a fighter.
SA: Tell us about your training.
JP: I train in five different disciplines – Muay Thai and kickboxing out of XKT in Springs, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) out of Rio Grappling in Springs, boxing at Bronx in Hillbrow – I know it sounds dodgy – and wrestling. These are the disciplines I think put MMA together nicely. I also do a lot of fitness training.
SA: How long have you been involved in MMA and what martial arts did you do before?
JP: I have a background in kickboxing which I did for 13 years. I have been training with Raymond (Phillips) for nine of those years. He is more than a trainer, he is like a dad to me and my manager James Read is my best friend. I also have a great relationship with my Jurgen Putter, my other coach. This is more than a business, it’s a family.
I turned to MMA four years ago because it is the fastest growing sport in the world. If you want to test your fighting skills, MMA is where you test your abilities.
If you want to know why I do it, it’s simple. I do it to spread the gospel. Some pastors have a suit and tie, I have the cage. People don’t go to church any more. No matter whether I win or lose, I praise Jesus.
Every punch, every kick is to praise Jesus. He does it all for you.
What I love about my training camps is their Christian-like foundation.
SA: What are you expecting from your fight on March 27?
JP: It’s a title fight so it’s going to be tough. It’s war – there will be lots of action, lots of blood. We aren’t there to bake cookies. I think Soldierboy is one of EFC Africa’s most well-rounded fighters so I’m really looking forward to this fight. Anyone with a title is someone to be reckoned with so it’s a chance to really test my abilities.
I’ll stay humble, but I’m here to push the limits and take his title.
With his easy, boyish grin and an infectious laugh, it’s hard to think of JP as anything other than a “nice lad” but watching him in training it’s clear he has the moves to put any opponent down.
Follow JP on facebook – Jp Kruger or on twitter @krugerjpMMa or follow XKT @XKTProLeague for more information about his upcoming fights.
