Leigh Alliss has moved one step closer to a dream career as a professional cage fighter. The ex-boxer, from Stroud, beat challenger Marvin Eghan in the quarter-finals of the NUTS TV Fighting Hurts series.

Alliss, 32, will now take on Ben Craggy in the semi-finals to see who progresses to the live final on Saturday, November 1, at the Troxy Theatre for a chance to win a one-year professional cage-fighting contract.

Leigh has overcome a number of challenges and opponents to get to the latter stages of the competition, and is confident of making the final if he can put in another good performance against Craggy, who he expects to be a tough opponent.

He said: "I beat Marvin in a good fight. I kept the fight stood up whereas he wanted it on the ground, and I managed to put in a few Thai leg blocks that surprised him a bit.

"He had seen me doing them in training and was hesitant to go in with any kicks for the fight, so that was good.

"He started getting disheartened as he couldn't take me out and I think he started getting tired. His hands were dropping but I didn't want to go in and get caught out by him.

"I saw a chance though and managed to finish it with a ground and pound, which was nice."

And of semi-final opponent Craggy, Alliss added: "Ben's going to be looking to take the fight to the ground, and it will be important that I don't let that happen. It should be a good contest and I'm confident I can win.

You can catch Leigh's big semi-final on NUTS TV, tomorrow night at 10pm.