An MMA world champion from Croydon says he feels disrespected ahead of his title defence to Richard Kiely in Dublin next month.

A social media spat inspired BAMMA welterweight champion, Alex Lohore, to agree a fight with one of Conor McGregor’s SBG teammates on November 10 at the 3Arena in the Irish capital.

Kiely - who has a record of 2-0 - went on an online rampage to get Lohore's attention.

A press tour in Dublin this week saw the combatants meet for the first time.

Lohore spoke to Croydon Guardian about the tense atmosphere between the pair when he returned to the UK.

“He put his hands on me more than once and was trying to grab my belt. I find that a bit too much and unnecessary.

“He is going to pay for that. He is trying to be like Conor McGregor. But he is not him.”

The 27-year-old fighter, who calls himself the ‘belt collector’, moved to Croydon in 2005 after growing up in France.

He joined the New Wave Academy gym in his early 20s which altered the course of his life.

“Since joining I have been training and training. I had a great job as a manager of a computer server company but I left to do fighting.

“That meant not being able to afford certain things. This is what you have to do to reach your goals and fulfil your life with potential.

“You have to do what you love to be truly happy. I didn’t look at the money because I was happy waking up early and training.

“Learning martial arts makes me happy.”

The main attraction for a fight with Kiely, according to the champion, is getting to fight in Dublin.

He said: “I wanted to fight on the Dublin card because of the Irish fans. I know how the crowd is. They get really into the fight.

“The energy is just unreal. I wanted to feel that.

“This fight will go as it always does. I’m going to teach this boy a lesson and defend my belt.”

The mixed martial artist, who is coming off a stunning knockout of Nathan Jones last month (September 15) in the main event at Wembley Arena, paid tribute to his hometown.

He said: “I really want to thank everyone in Croydon who has supported me in the last few years.”