The region has a new professional MMA fighter - and he's targeting a run to the world-famous UFC.

Scott Butters thought he'd never fight again after a nose injury suffered while boxing left doctors advising him to call time on his promising amateur career.

But the injury wasn't as bad as feared, and after 16 months away from the cage, he returned at Almighty Fighting Championship 6 in Leeds on Saturday, and claimed a points win over the hotly-touted Nicolae Pirogan.

He was duly signed to a pro deal by Almighty Fight Management to cap what has been a roller coaster few months for the Dereham grappler, who compiled an 8-5 amateur record and held the Lion Fighting Championship lightweight title.

'It's great,' said the 29-year-old. 'The win on Saturday was a good win for me, against a very good guy.

'It was a grappling-heavy fight, which is what I wanted. The plan was to use my striking more. I usually only strike to set up takedowns – but I was able to use it more this time to show that while I've been away I've been working on my all-around game.'

Butters, a BJJ blue-belt who fights out of BMB Norwich BJJ and Team Fuzeta, now hopes to make his professional debut before the end of the year, potentially on Contenders in Norwich.

But it could all have been so different – just a few months ago, he was told that he could never fight again due to complications from a broken nose.

'It was really hard,' he explained. 'My partner and my friends will tell you that I wasn't the same person – it was hard to get my head round and I was a lot more grumpy and miserable.'

Now back in the game, Butters – nicknamed Superman – intends to make his mark on the pro ranks, with the backing of partner Danielle Folan and kids Olivia and Brooke.

He said: 'Obviously I'd like to make the run to the UFC, that would be the long-term goal, but I've also set two other goals. 'First is to get that first pro win and make my way up to Cage Warriors, that's such a great platform.

'And I want to make a run at a title, I honestly believe with the team I have, I can do that.'

- Butters also thanked his sponsors – Ultimate Fight Outlet, MTF Up, R4 Massage, Exceed Your Limits, Rock the House Fightwear, JPM Plumbing and Tiling, IP Printing, Wymondham Scaffolding and The Barbers of Dereham – for their support.