IAN James will represent Accrington’s Mixed Martial Arts Club in the fight-off in Bethnal Green in London after finishing fourth in the 65kg category in the UK MMA League.
Plumber Ian, a representative of the club based at Flex and Fitness Gym, took part in the last round of the league in Dorset last weekend.
The 20-year-old fought four times with two draws and two losses and thought he hadn’t done enough to get through.
But, after results in Nottingham and Poole in earlier rounds of the league, he finished fourth of the 20 opponents and was the last qualifier for the May 24 showdown.
"It wasn’t the result Ian was hoping for in Dorset but he has reached the finals," said instructor Jimmy Hey, who finished seventh overall in the 65kg category after just completing the Dorset round.
"It has been a massive learning curve for us with all the lads stepping up and fighting top opponents."
Jimmy, 33, also fought twice at Dorset and won both fights - seeing off one opponent in a swift 25 seconds.
Painter and decorator Chris Dixon, 21, had two fights - winning one and drawing one - to finish seventh in the Under 70kg category out of the 34 contestants.
And Matt Oldham, 19, couldn’t make the Dorset event after a minor car accident but he finished 12th in the 65kg category.
Chris, Matt and Ian have only been training for around a year and it was their debut in the MMA League.
