Chippenham mixed martial artist Leigh Remedios is out to prove he is still one of the best in the world after becoming British champion in his first fight in a new weight class.

The Westinghouse employee, 33, defeated Steve McCombe, previously ranked third in Europe, to become British bantamweight champion in Newport, Wales.

Father-of-two Remedios has previously fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the biggest MMA promoter in the world, at a heavier weight than he is now and is determined to force his way back into the international fold.

“I’m naturally quite light,” he said.

“I started off at 155lbs because it was the lowest weight class you could get fights in.

“I then went down to the 145lbs division when that started and after quite a bit of time off I’m now at 135lbs.

“I’m definitely going to stay at bantamweight and make at least a few defences of my belt, but I’ve fought in the States before and that is where I want to be again.”

Remedios had his first MMA fight, a mixture of jiu-jitsu, muay thai kickboxing, amateur wrestling and judo, in 1997 and has won 16 of his 25 fights, often against bigger opponents.

In his most recent bout, the Tae Kwon Do blackbelt submitted his Irish opponent with a choke in the third round and is scheduled to defend his new belt for the first time in September.

“I was quite tired going into that round but my corner said I had to go out and finish him,” said Remedios, who runs the VT Jiu-Jitsu school on Cricketts Lane.

“He came out and took a big swing at me but I got underneath, picked him and delivered a massive slam before getting a submission.

“I would say I’m now ranked third in Europe but I’m still testing out the new weight class so I may not be ready for the world champion just yet.”