The Bull says he can't wait to charge back into octagon

Ryan The Bull Copland has been away from the octagon for three and a half years after destroying rival Nathan Court at the renowned at Made4Thecage 8: Impact.

But now the Alnwick bruiser, 30, is gearing up for another battle, this time against Enzo Parente.

The contest will take place on Saturday, during the Inferno Fighting Championships at Ashington Northern.

The hard man will be raising money for youngster Nathan Main, from Ashington, who can not walk or talk.

A fund, called Nathan’s Needs, has been set up and the family are trying to raise funds for hyperbaric oxygen treatment at home, which involves breathing pure oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressures in an enclosed chamber.

Ryan said: “Supporting Nathan is a great cause and Saturday will be good. I am looking forward to it. I was inspired to get back into the octagon after my father David diesd in June 2014. It made me re-evaluate things and I wanted to return to the octagon to help other people.”

In the future, he wants to raise money for HospiceCare North Northumberland, as the charity – which has centres in Alnwick and Berwick – supported his dad, an RAF veteran, during his cancer battle.

Ryan has been training with Shaun Gaines at Alnwick Long Zhanshi and James Watling of Team Alpha, Morpeth. He has thanked sponsor, Central Taxis, of Blyth, for supporting the event’s transport and Nathan’s Needs.

There will be 15 fights on the day, comprising boxing, K1 and mixed martial arts, with three titles on the line. Doors open at midday, with fighting from 1pm. There will be food and tickets are £25. They are available on the door or contact Ryan through Facebook, via his personal page or the Inferno Fighting Championship page. For details, visit facebook.com/nathans.needs/