POLARIS, as those with a bit of astrological knowledge will know, is another name for the North Star.

It’s also one of the world’s biggest martial arts events, and tomorrow it takes place right here in Wales.

The jiu-jitsu extravaganza features the best exponents of grappling on the planet, including Gwent-based Ashley Amos.

A European and five-time British champion, former teacher Amos dedicates his life to competing and training others in the sport he loves.

On top of jiu-jitsu, the 29-year-old father-of-one and Abergavenny resident, who runs Tillery Combat Torfaen in Griffithstown, also practices MMA and judo.

Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay hosts the eighth edition of Polaris, 24 hours after MMA promotion Cage Warriors hold their 100th show at the same venue.

Abertillery's Jack Shore meets Mike Ekundayo for the vacant Cage Warriors bantamweight title, while Blaenavon's Josh Reed faces Scott Malone with Amos in his corner. 

Ex-rugby player Amos, originally from Hereford, faces Swansea’s Shane Price, 31, in his big match in the capital, and he’s honoured to be involved.

“Polaris is an invitational event and the biggest thing you can do in grappling,” he said.

“In a normal tournament you’d enter in your belt or weight category, whereas Polaris get the best people around and match them against each other.

“Shane is a weight division below me, so we’d probably never fight, but people would like to see the fight and Polaris will do what they can to make it happen.

“It’s by far the biggest jiu-jitsu event in the world. They get all the best fighters around the world.

“They started at St David’s Hall nearly four years ago, then went to the O2 and now they’re going to Ice Arena Wales, which holds about 4,000 people.

“There’s a big Cage Warriors MMA event the day before and then this follows to make it a massive weekend for martial arts.

“It’s a big deal to fight on Polaris. When you retire from grappling and can say you were on a Polaris show it’s like retiring from football and being able to say you played in a Champions League final.”

On his opponent, he added: “I’m heavier but Shane has been grappling longer so has more experience.

“I know him well. We’re on the same circuit and see each other all the time, but just because I’m grappling him doesn’t mean he’s now the enemy.

“He’s a nice bloke. It will be a good fight.”

After tomorrow night’s clash, and a first Christmas with six-week-old son Jonah, Amos will be getting ready for a busy 2019 – and he has a big decision to make regarding his sporting future.

“Jiu-jitsu is my main focus and I’ll always compete in that, but I’ve also done judo and MMA competitions this year,” he said.

“Three sports have been a bit too much so it’s going to be two next year, jiu-jitsu and either judo or MMA.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve worked hard and put myself in a position where I can choose now.

“Judo’s my second sport and my coach reckons in six months I can push for the Welsh squad and win the national championships, and maybe make the next Commonwealth Games.

“My MMA coach reckons he can turn me into a pro, but, in the long term, I’m not sure it’s for me.

“I’ve got a kid now and I don’t think that getting slammed in the face is what I want.”