Dan Bonner beats Marley Zwanenberg in Muay Thai Grand Prix

Winning his second European title at the weekend could pave the way for the 30-year-old from Latchford to go even higher, with negotiations understood to be now in full swing with the Muay Thai Grand Prix show organisers.

Dan, who co-owns The Forge Fight Academy Gym in Bewsey with his brother Matthew and Rob Lightburn, defeated Marley Zwanenberg by judges’ decision at a packed 02 Arena in London to add the Grand Prix light heavyweight crown to his WRSA belt.

MMA specialist Matt became Cage Warriors middleweight world champion in June.

“I think that’s my 22nd fight now in Thai and that’s probably my best performance up to now,” said Dan, a former student at Padgate High School.

Pictures by Natalia Rakowska

“It was over five rounds and went to a decision. I outscored him and outskilled him. He cut me right at the end in the last round, so I’ve got a big cut on my forehead but I won comfortably.

“They’ve just sent me a message saying they want to sign me to the show. They did mention that I could fight for the world title on the next show, because they were impressed by my performance.

“Europeans is the best I’ve got to, I’ve never been offered a world title fight before. It is a dream, because that would mean me and Matthew are world champions in different sports – him in MMA and me in Thai. I’m not sure that’s ever been done before to be fair, not for twins.”

> What Dan Bonner said about missing his brother's wedding for fight

Matthew takes the MMA classes at the gym, while Dan looks after the Thai sessions.

“Things are really busy. We’ve just renovated it and we’re happy with it.

“Like everyone else we had to close down because of Covid. We got grants and the furlough scheme, it wasn’t the end of the world.

“But we want to be open, don’t we? We all love training and the atmosphere in the gym. It was a tough time.”