Francis Heagney - who now resides in London - was crowned the Ultimate Challenge UK Lightweight (70kg) champion after overcoming the challenge of ex-champion Tim Radcliffe inside the octagon.

Francis, who is a submissions expert, made Tim tap out with a guillotine choke in the second round to claim the organisation's lightweight belt at the Troxy Theatre in London.

And as Francis told the MAIL this week, he was always confident of victory.

"Tim was a good opponent and a good fighter, but I was confident in my own ability. I train with some great fighters at London Shootfighters Gym. It really is the best place for UK MMA fighters to train."

Francis currently has a 7-3 record (seven wins, three defeats) and his journey into cage fighting is an interesting one.

"When I was a teenager, I was involved with Kildress Boxing Club and I also played a bit of rugby before a knee injury stopped that.

"I later moved to Dublin where I took up jujitsu and that's where I learned all my submission moves. The transition into cage fighting seemed like a natural one."

Francis has been competing in the sport since 2004 during which time he has won the Irish submission fighting championships and was runner up in the UK championships. In 2006 he represented Great Britain at the world submission fighting games in Turkey and has won numerous Ju Jitsu competitions.

Francis is certainly moving up in the MMA world and has already appeared on TV, featuring on Bravo's coverage of the sport.
As for the future, the newly crowned champion plans to take it easy for a while.

"Mixed Martial Arts, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to keep fit. But the fights really take alot our of you. I also have to balance a full-time job with my training so I think I'll relax for a while before I think about a title defence."