PROMOTER Gary Turland has promised that Raged UK 9 will be the biggest event to date when the MMA show comes back to Swindon on Saturday, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

A move to a new location as well as a stellar line-up has led to a virtual sell-out of the event, which will see a 47-year-old is coming out of retirement and a policeman make his amateur debut.

While previous shows have been staged at the MECA, the ninth edition of this fighting spectacle will take place at the Oasis leisure centre, a move that Turland is extremely excited about.

“It is the next logical step to go bigger and better," said Turland.

“The atmosphere is going to be incredible, there is more space and it is a huge venue for what we are trying to achieve.

“The new venue has gone a long way to attracting bigger stars and we have got some big names on this show.

“Mario ‘Rude Boy’ Saeed is a huge name to get onto the show. He has been tipped to go on to world domination and he has already been signed to events like Cage Warriors.

“Paul Reed is coming out of retirement at the age of 47 and we have a copper making his amateur debut.”

Bristolian Chris Ogden will be fighting Lithuanian Ramunas Venslovas for the Raged UK MMA Welterweight Title, while there are several Swindon fighters on the bill.

Robert Albin takes on Bart Bilski before Michael Jones faces off against Connor Elliott, of Stroud. Gary Trevett takes on Edward L Mobbs before Dean Hart fights Ryan McCarthy to conclude the local interest.

Turland, formerly one of the men behind the Swindon Fightclub franchise, is grateful to everyone who is involved in the event and just wants fans to enjoy the near-capacity show.

He said: “The support on this one has been unreal. We’ve got people coming from all over the country, so it is going to be a busy one.

“I want to give a massive thank-you to everyone for buying tickets and supporting the show.

“Thanks to all the fighters, coaches, volunteers and anyone else who is coming.”

Only a handful of tickets remain for the event but Turland is already looking forward to next year’s show, which will take place on Saturday, May 25.