THE old saying that from little acorns mighty oaks grow is certainly proving true for Southend brothers Dan and Alex Burzotta.

The pair are busy preparing for their fifth Ultimate Warrior Challenge show - dubbed UWC 5 Undisputed - at Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre on Saturday evening.

But the popularity of the mixed martial arts event where fighters go head to head in a cage means that the siblings may be forced to move the show out of Southend.

"Each show seems to be better than the last and at this rate if it continues to get bigger and better we will be looking to move it to a larger venue," said Dan Burzotta.

"We are looking at the possibility of going to the Brentwood Centre because that holds about 4,000 whereas Southend has a capacity of around 1,500.

"We are looking to expand as much as possible and we are now trying to attract some big sponsors to enable us to that."

The popularity of the UWC shows mirrors that of mixed martial arts nationally and the Burzottas are certainly contributing to that through their shows and the stable of fighters they manage.

"At the moment in the UK mixed martial arts is booming and it's a big attraction," added Burzotta.

"The secret is putting on a good fight card with quality fighters at a show that is well organised.

"Some shows have no organisation, but we pride ourselves on having good matches with fighters so they are up against people of similar ability.

"We bring a lot of people over from Europe and that has helped us build up a fan base too."

But the organisation behind the show goes beyond just sorting out bouts.

The UWC events have been televised by Sky Sports and that means ensuring the shows are a spectacle not only for the live audience but for those watching in their living rooms too.

MMA veteran Ian "The Machine" Freeman is the regular master of ceremonies and for UWC 5 girl group Touch 2 Wild will be performing.

Fighters also have to be put on standby in case those on the card get injured.

Most injuries occur in training and not in the ring because fighters are pushing themselves to be in peak condition for when they step into the cage.

And safety is paramount once fighters arrive at the venue. They all go through a medical before the bout and once they are in the cage the fighters' safety takes priority.

Cuts and bruises are all part of the game but there is no standing eight count as there is in boxing. If the referee decides a fighter is unable to continue then the bout is stopped.

If a fighter wants to throw in the towel all he has to do in bang on the ring with his hands to stop the bout.

"Safety of the fighters is the most important thing," added Burzotta. "It's more important than a fighter's pride."

Burzotta hopes that the British mixed martial arts scene will follow in the footsteps of the American one.

"We are looking to launch into the mainstream," explained Burzotta. "If you look how far UFC (Ultimate Fighter Challenge) has come in the last 10 years, it's amazing.

"They have $40m a month in pay-per-view revenue and people realise the fighters are not thugs but trained athletes.

"In America cage fighting is now a career option. People were doing day jobs and then going to the gym to train, but now they can do it full time because of the purses.

"In MMA fighters get paid whether they win or lose and there is a bonus if they win. A lot of guys in the UK are now going pro because of the purses."

Apart from managing fighters who compete in Britain and beyond, Burzotta also runs the Sure Grip Vale Tudo club where experienced mixed martial artists train alongside newcomers.

And the growth of sport has meant a steady influx of newcomers at the club, which meets at Westcliff, Hockley and Thundersley.

For more details about UWC 5 contact the box office on 01702 442900.