A TOUGH Greenock sports star is preparing to get two high profile bouts under his belt as he follows his dream of becoming a professional fighter. 

Jordan McIntyre, 25, currently holds the title of the UK's first ever male strawweight MMA (mixed martial arts) champion.

Jordan will travel to England to defend his belt in a fight against rival Aaron Wilmot at Barnsley Metrodome on March 16. 

The MMA star will then head for the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley on May 4 for a bout against challenger Ryan Parkin, where he will potentially go up to flyweight. 

The Paisley bout will be Jordan's first big battle in Scotland.

Greenock Telegraph:
Jordan, who fights out of Grappling Fight Team Scotland (GFTeam Scotland) in Greenock, says he can't wait to show off his skills on the mat and in the ring. 

He said: "This is a big deal for me and a huge buzz.

"I've been doing this for more than a decade and I've not had many fights but things are starting to heat up a bit now and I'm getting more bouts.

"I feel really good and happy about what is coming up."

Greenock Telegraph:
Jordan first got into mixed martial arts when he was 14 after he was inspired by a television programme. 

He said: "I was watching Bellator MMA [a programme about an American MMA promotion] and I told my dad there and then that I wanted to learn it. 

"I had been doing Taekwondo and some Thai boxing since I was five, but this really caught my attention. 

"My dad knew Chris Carmichael at GFT and that's how it all started. 

"I haven't stopped since."

Jordan, who works as a warehouseman and trains five days a week, says he loves 'everything' about MMA. 

He added: "It's a combination of striking, grappling, takedowns, a bit of Thai boxing, and Taekwondo. 

"You want to be mixing it all together for the perfect fight."

Jordan has thanked his coaches Chris Carmichael, Bobby McVittie, and Billy McPherson for their help and support in securing high profile fights. 

He says every one he completes is helping him on the road to being a professional MMA star. 

Jordan added: "I've had four fights now and Chris wants me to have at least another six amateur fights under my belt before I start thinking about turning professional. 

"Every fight that I win is great for me and great for the club as well.

"There's such a big team around you at the club, it's like a family."

Jordan says his fiance Ciara and his family are very proud and supportive of him as he follows his dream.

Jordan added: "I know that this is what I want to do with my life so I've set my eyes on the goal. 

"It's something that I would never believe would have happened to me."

To find out about tickets for his upcoming bouts contact Jordan on Instagram via jordan_mcintyre21 or visit www.badmofomma.com