TWO of the hottest properties in the UK bantamweight division lock horns on Saturday night as Cage Warriors world champion Nathaniel Wood defends his title against Tillery Combat’s Josh Reed, writes Jason Batty.

The duo will be looking to put on a show in front of a sell-out crowd at London's 02 indigo, with both having blown away their previous opponents with first-round knockouts.

Defending his belt for the first time, Londoner Wood, nicknamed ‘The Prospect’, has vowed that nobody will ever beat him in his own backyard.

But Blaenavon’s Reed, 26, has different plans and fully intends on taking the strap off Wood with both hands.

Gwent ace Reed currently boasts a perfect record of seven straight wins, with his resume consisting of six finishes inside the distance, including a demolition of his last opponent in May.

“I landed with a big right hand and got excited,” said Reed, known as ‘Crazy Horse’, as he reflected on that triumph.

It was that big right hand and then a flurry of unanswered punches that led to a spectacular finish and a deserved world title shot.

Headlining a main event in London, which will be live on BT Sport and streamed across the world on UFC Fight Pass, is far cry from when he started as a semi-pro almost a decade ago at the age of 17.

When asked why he started MMA, he said: “It's just addictive, whether you are a kid or 50 years old.

“Even if you get beat, you just want to learn.”

Reed has learned a great deal over the years and trained three times a day, six days a week in the build-up to the biggest fight of his career to date.

And his focus has always been about sharpening his own tools rather than focusing on his opponent’s qualities.

In preparation for what could potentially be a five-round contest instead of the usual three he is used to, Reed started his fight camp earlier than usual to enhance his cardio engine.

That said, he feels the bout is unlikely to go the distance, adding: “I don’t underestimate anyone, we know where we think the fight will go and we have prepared in every area.

“It’s going to be a brilliant fight, but I don’t expect it to go past the second round.”

And as for what is next if he is to collect the prestigious Cage Warriors gold strap on Saturday night, he said: “To defend my belt or get signed (by the UFC).

"A dream would be to headline a UFC event in Wales.”

The big boys’ league is now within touching distance for Reed.

And with his gym, which has produced the likes of UFC star Jack Marshman, continually churning out MMA stars lighting up the world, a win in London could take him a step closer to realising his dream.