Rising Suffolk MMA star Corrin Eaton is planning a big year - starting with a stoppage of his next foe at BCMMA 18 next week.

Eaton steps back into the cage to battle Dominic Dillon at the Charter Hall in Colchester on Saturday, February 18.

He’s coming off an impressive first-round submission win over the powerful Igor Camino-Mora at Contenders 17 in Norwich in December, which improved his record to 9-2.

And the Ipswich featherweight sees the scrap with submission specialist Dillon (3-2) as a step too far, too soon for his foe.

“He’s more of a grappler than a stand-up guy,” said Eaton, 28. “He’s won a few of his fights by submission so I’m looking forward to it – it should be a good tear up.

Ipswich Star: Corrin Eaton looks to land a big right hand in his victory over Igor Camino-MoraCorrin Eaton looks to land a big right hand in his victory over Igor Camino-Mora (Image: �contendersLtd)

“But I believe that as soon as he feels my right hand, he won’t be able to handle it.

“I never really worry about my opponent too much, but from what I’ve seen of him he hasn’t got much venom - he taps with punches to set up the takedown, whereas I throw with real venom.”

Eaton, a former student at Chantry High School, is also planning a drop to the bantamweight division as he looks to climb the MMA ladder.

“I’d like to try the cut, as much as everyone thinks I’m crazy, because I think I’d be better at the weight,” he said.

Ipswich Star: Corrin Eaton has his hand raised after tapping out Igor Camino-Mora in the first round at Contenders 17Corrin Eaton has his hand raised after tapping out Igor Camino-Mora in the first round at Contenders 17 (Image: �contendersLtd)

“I think I’d be an absolute beast at bantamweight!”

The Team Titan fighter, who trains under Mickey Papas and UK MMA legend Brad Pickett, is still hoping to open his own combat sports gym in Ipswich this year as he seeks a successful year both inside and outside the cage.

But the first step is his fight with Norwich-based Dillon.

“I want to fight at least four or five times this year,” he said. “I want to end the year sitting at 13-2, so that’s four wins right there – I believe this is my year.”

Eaton also thanked his sponsors for their support - Whip Street Motors, Lucky 13, CJ Services, Tom Irving nutrition and Buckingham Osteopaths.

- BCMMA 18 will be headlined by Kerry Hughes’ defence of her bantamweight title, and feature a host of local stars in the making, including Joe Harding, Leigh Mitchell, James Webb and Cory McKenna.

For tickets, visit www.bcmma.co.uk.