Said to be the world's fastest growing sport, children's cage fighting is exploding in popularity in the US. Highly contentious and recently banned in California, kids as young as six are taking to the ring.

"Regina Awana, The Black Widow, is a cute little petite girl that will rip your arm off", laughs her coach. In front of an electrified crowd, two tiny fighters do battle in a cage. It's estimated over three million Americans under the age of 13 are now involved in youth pankration, a junior form of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Surrounding it is a multi-billion dollar adult industry with fighting champions providing role models for a new generation. Chris Manzo is a former MMA fighter turned youth coach, whose 7-year-old also competes. "There's nothing that I love more in this world than my son. He chooses to be a fighter. I'm not gonna take that away from him." Medical experts say despite safety measures, the risks shouldn't be ignored. "I don't think children are mature enough to understand that these activities they're doing could harm them for life", says Andy Foster, a former fighter turned staunch critic.