GARY Turland believes it won’t be long before Raged UK MMA will be competing with some of the biggest shows in the country as they prepare for their fourth event next month.

Chippenham Town goalkeeper Kent Kauppinen will be headlining the show at MECA on Saturday, June 4, as he fights Dan Edwards for the Raged heavyweight title.

Meanwhile, Alex Brunnin will be defending his lightweight belt and Phil Wells will be taking on Warren Kee for the professional Raged welterweight title.

The show will also be hosting its first international K1 fight with Sami Salem taking on Mohammed Brahimi and event promoter Turland believes the calibre of fights shows how far mixed martial arts has come in the town.

“It is just getting more and more popular,” he said.

“It has gone from being a local show to an international show now. We have got fighters coming from as far as Algeria and France coming over which is a good sign to show that Raged is growing.

“Our goal is to be up there with the big guys and pretty soon we will be able to compete with them.

“It is good because it is testament to where the show is now that we can have an out-of-towner come in and headline the event with Kent Kauppinen.

“As usual we have got some great amateur action on the show so it should be a great evening.”

Big names in the sport like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey in UFC have helped to propel the sport into the spotlight and Turland is hoping that his show can ride on that wave of support.

“It’s been brilliant for the sport,” added Turland, who will also have Alex Reid as a special guest on the night.

“What people like Connor McGregor and Ronda Rousey have done is they have got your Average Joe fan interested.

“They have captured that new audience and now there is a lot more attention around it.”

Advanced tickets cost £20 and £45 for VIP and are available from all fighters, The Khyber, The Forum, The Dream Lounge or at www.swindontickets.co.uk, with doors opening at 6.30pm.