Last week Wilks (30) became the new welterweight champion of Gladiator Challenge, a major mixed martial arts event in the United States.

He began his martial arts training as a child with the Kyokushinkai Karate Club at Melton Leisure Centre before moving to California in 2000 to broaden his martial arts experience.

Having exchanged punches, elbows and knees in the first round against opponent Mike Robles, an experienced wrestler from California, Wilks secured victory towards the end of round two.

His superior grappling skills led to an arm bar, a technique which snaps the arm at the elbow, forcing Robles to submit and earning Wilks victory in the title fight.

James had his first professional mixed martial arts fight five years ago, and after a successful debut, now has a record of 4 wins and two losses.

After a two-year break from fighting to focus on training and coaching students, Wilks returned to the sport this year.

Nicknamed Lightning for his flash fast striking, he has an impressive CV, a small sample of which includes United States Marine Corps Subject Matter Expert in empty hands and edged weapons combat, a blackbelt instructor at tae kwon-do and kickboxing and a pistol instructor with the US' National Rifle Association.