A true MMA legend in the United Kingdom, Leigh Remedios (Pictures) recently caused a storm of discussion by coming out of retirement and whipping himself back into shape to face the country's No. 1 featherweight, Danny Batten (Pictures).

However, Batten cited an undisclosed injury and withdrew from the contest earlier this month on less than a week's notice. After putting in considerable effort to restore his fight conditioning, Remedios was decidedly unhappy to hear the news.

"At first I was gutted," he said. "I screamed down the phone at [Cage Rage co-promoter] Dave O'Donnell when he called me six days out from the fight. My training was all done. I was injured myself. I had a broken toe and I was ill, but I think the game plan I had, that wouldn't have mattered too much."

Frustration lingers on for the Ashford fighter, who has since complained that he has heard nothing from his opponent's camp and received only a secondhand apology.

"People have told me that they've seen him walking about looking fine," Remedios fumed. "I don't like to question him because he's a good fighter and he's fought loads of good guys. So I don't think he'd want to duck me, but I've got to question him when you don't hear anything."

The fight was a classic waiting to happen. A veteran of no-holds-barred competition, Remedios has long been known for his technical aggression. Meanwhile, Batten has shown some sublime skill by picking apart opponents standing and twisting them up with his slick jiu-jitsu skills on the floor. Remedios, however, is not keen to wait and see if the fight can be rearranged.

"It's twice he's pulled out on me," Remedios said. "I'm not interested anymore. Maybe he does have a valid excuse, but next time, what's going to happen? Another valid excuse? F--- off, I'll fight someone else. If he fights me, he'll lose and he'll lose badly."

Listening to Remedios' appraisal of the matchup and his frustration that it may never happen, it's clear that a huge amount of thought and preparation has gone into the fight.

"I think Danny's really got nothing for me," he explained. "I was quite looking forward to that fight because he's ranked No. 1 and I think I'd walk through him. I'm much faster and I'm much stronger than him. The difference is incredible, to the point where if he hits me, I think he'd bounce off; if I hit him, I think he'd crumble.

"In the clinch, I'm far too strong for him physically," Remedios continued. "The only thing I'd need to watch for, I think, he's got very good hips off his back. He's got very good jiu-jitsu. So in his guard, where I think we'd end up because I'm a better wrestler than him, I'd look to pummel him, but I'd have to look out for the armbars and triangles.

"On the feet, he's got a nice leg kick. He's got rangy punches, but I don't think he's got any power in them. I'd just walk through them and punch him in the mouth, take him down and punch him in the face. Take him to the ground, pummel him in his guard and pummel him hard. I don't think he's fought anyone who hits like I do on the ground. In my opinion, I'm a really bad matchup for him."

With Batten now off Remedios' radar, it seems that a fight with Cage Rage champion Masakazu Imanari (Pictures) is at the top of the Ashford fighter's wish list.

"I mentioned it to Dave O'Donnell today actually. It's a bit cheeky because I haven't really earned it at all," Remedios said with a laugh. "But really, is there anybody left from the U.K. scene? I'm the only guy; he's bashed up all our other guys."

Other than a showdown with Imanari, no potential matchup is making Remedios jump up and down with excitement. However, it seems getting in the cage and being paid a decent rate to fight is motivation enough for the British scrapper as he prepares for a to-be-named opponent.

"Fighting someone who's ranked really high, but who's really rubbish would be great," Remedios said. "I just want to have some fights and make some money doing it. Winning the FX3 title would be good, although Emmanuel [Fernandez] looks pretty tough these days. Imanari would be great, though. I'd love to have the Cage Rage World [featherweight] title."

Aside from rededicating himself to competition, Remedios is also making something of a name for himself as a trainer. Already he has produced a genuine featherweight contender in Paul Reed (Pictures).

The fiery-haired Reed was submitted by Fernandez at the last FX3 show, but he intends to return with a bang at Cage Rage 26. In fact, he has made a tentative agreement with opponent Brad Pickett (Pictures) not to take the fight to the floor as long as "One Punch" refrains from throwing any kicks.

Does that sound like a good idea to Reed's trainer?

"No, it doesn't," said Remedios bluntly. "I think the fight's a good idea, but having a gentleman's agreement is not. You have a game plan and the more options you've got, the better. As Paul's coach, we're going to re-evaluate that. Fighters will do silly things. That's why you need coaches and managers who make decisions for you. A fighter will fight anyone."

Remedios laughed when he heard that Pickett, a former boxer, was eager for a hands-only standup war with his student.

"I've no doubt he his," Remedios replied. "He'd love to stand there and throw fists. He's got a hard head. He likes being punched and he likes punching people. So does Paul. I think they'd do well to fight on their feet, but I think we'd be robbed -- I don't think they should have a boxing match. I think they are both good wrestlers and good on the ground, too.

"They are not world-class grapplers. They are not world-class boxers, but they are potentially world-class MMA fighters. I'd like to see them fight MMA."