NORTHWICH’S Jordan Barton has once again successfully defended his mixed martial arts world title to continue his rise in the sport.

Now, however, his focus turns to matters closer to home as he prepares to open a new gym in the town.

The 31-year-old former Hartford High School pupil made the second defence of his Fight Nation Championships (FNC) world featherweight title earlier this month as he took on Brazil’s Rony Jason – a veteran of nine fights in the top UFC promotion – in the magnificent setting of Pula Amphitheatre in Croatia.

Having won his previous two fights via first-round stoppage, Barton was taken the distance in a tough fight but emerged victorious via unanimous decision to take his professional MMA record to 10 wins, three defeats and a draw from 14 bouts.

“I was happy with the performance,” he said.

“I won every round but knew he would be tough and tricky as he was very well experienced.”

That looks set to be his final fight of the calendar year as he directs his energy towards his exciting new personal project.

Barton is opening a new gym called Apex Combat & Conditioning, which is based at Winnington Business Park.

An opening event will be held this coming Saturday, September 28, and the gym will offer classes in a wide range of combat sports including MMA, judo, boxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu.

You can follow the gym on Instagram @apexcombatandconditioning and Barton himself @jordankb93