A NORTH-EAST man has won a national title in ultimate fighting, less that two years after taking up the sport.
Michael Holmes, 23, of Spennymoor, County Durham, travelled to Swansea to compete for the House of Power UK title and returned with the champion's belt.
Ultimate fighting is a self- defence sport with the aim of pinning down an opponent using special manoeuvres.
Mr Holmes, who has now turned professional, said: "A year-and-a-half ago, I thought I'd take the sport up.
"It is big in a lot of countries and it's recently started taking off here, too."
Mr Holmes beat the Welsh ultimate fighting champion to win the title.
He said: "I had to put everything into it, but the fight only lasted 42 seconds before I got him in a triangle manoeuvre."
His next fight takes place in Doncaster, in six weeks' time, and he now hopes to fight abroad and represent the region.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article