Fighting arena should include pilot (7)

I believe the answer is:

cockpit

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'fighting arena' is the definition.
'cockpit' can be an answer for 'arena' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'fighting' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cockpit that I've seen before include "Area at the front of a plane" , "greenhouse" , "Where fights take place" , "Pilot's cabin" , "found in plane" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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