SWINDON’S Aion McRae is the new English Elite Featherweight Champion in semi-professional Muay Thai following a stunning victory at the Elite Fighting Championships last month.

McRae is a member of the town’s only specific Muay Thai gym, Doctores, and has long been a promising talent in the sport.

Offered the chance to showcase that ability, McRae – also known as “The Conquering Lion” – shone in the five two-minute rounds at the east side rooms in Birmingham.

Coming off a draw in his last bout, the Swindon fighter was keen to not only claim a belt but also improve his position in the UK rankings.

Against a highly-reputable opponent from a well-respected UK gym, McRae was under pressure early on but managed to remain in the contest with an equalising knee strike inside the first minute.

As both fighters searched for the upper hand, McRae flawed his opponent with a perfectly-timed sweep of the leg before re-engaging into a clinch.

Round two featured an exchange of body and head kicks, with both fighters showing an incredible amount of durability.

McRae looked more comfortable as the fight continued, timing his kicks and punches efficiently while embracing the clinch and landing a foot-sweep. The Swindon man also landed a series of thumping head kicks as he looked to step up his assault.

The fifth round was vintage from McRae, sweeping his opponent numerous times and scoring well with kicks to be named the new champion at the final bell.

Another member of head coach James Fisher’s gym to compete in Birmingham was Cameron “Braveheart” Matthew against Adam Cartwright.

Both were competing in their first N-class fights, and it was Swindon’s Matthew who took the spoils via a majority decision. Matthew belied his lack of experience by producing a complete performance with a plethora of techniques and combinations.

He delivered a fantastic sweep on his opponent in one the later rounds while displaying tidy footwork and showing efficient control – the highlight of his victory was a successful Superman punch.

The final member of Doctores to compete was Jake “Afro Thunder” Hendwood - however, he could not continue his club’s successful weekend, suffering a majority-decision defeat.