ABERTILLERY soldier Jack Marshman will become the first Welshman to fight at the Ultimate Fighting Championships next month.

The former boxer, who has previously trained with ex-world champion Gavin Rees, will make his debut at UFC Belfast against Magnus Cedenblad on November 19.

Known to many as Jack "Hammer" Marshman, the fighter is a Lance Corporal with the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment.

He's been training at Tillery Combat MMA in Abertillery for the past 10 years with Richard Shore.

Shore said: "It's been a long time coming. We've known about it since Monday – and I have to admit I shed a tear when I heard.

"I'm absolutely buzzing. Jack will be the first Welshman to ever fight in the UFC – that's something that nobody can ever take away from us.

"Jack's absolutely ecstatic. It's a lifetime ambition come true for him and this is the end game he's been fighting for."

The 26-year-old has secured 17 of his 20 professional wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission.