A MIXED martial arts club staged a successful event which featured a host of home wins, fundraising for worthy causes while it highlighted a serious lifestyle message – and it looks set to become a regular date in the calendar.

Tiagon MMA brought the community together as they held their TIAGON FIGHTWARZ promotion at Winsford Academy.

Junior and adult amateur MMA contests were on show, as well as some charity white-collar boxing matches.

Some of the boxing matches were to raise funds for local football teams to help with winter equipment, while others were fighting for multiple cancer charities in memory of loved ones.

Pupils of Winsford Academy also represented Tiagon MMA in skills bouts.

Club head coach James Dubber pointed out the educational strand to the event too.

He said: “We hosted our event working with the Winsford Academy principal and governors to promote the Gloves Up Knifes Down movement, helping promote better choices.

“We believe martial arts and sports can do this by giving children structure and a place to belong, while educating them in the dojo and the classroom on knife crime.”

He added: “The event ran smoothly, bringing more than 400 local people together to support their friends and family.

“The feedback from the public, the competitors and the team has been amazing. Everyone enjoyed it with many more people wanting to sign up for next year's show.”

Dubber concluded: “We are aiming for three shows next year, each one bigger and better as the promotion grows. It really was a night not to be missed.

“Team Tiagon plan on TIAGON FIGHTWARZ becoming the biggest combat sports event in Cheshire, providing a safe environment for combat sports practitioners to showcase their skills. We aim to bring the Vegas atmosphere to Cheshire.”

The Winsford Academy students who represented Tiagon MMA in skills bouts were Robbie Thomas, Lucas Dutton, Connor Hamill and Ellis Sandbach.

Adult fighters in action for Tiagon MMA were Cameron Morley, who won via armbar; George Plevin, who won via rear naked choke; and Lucas Woodward, who won via unanimous decision.