BEN Whitehead made a big impression on his professional mixed martial arts debut - and the watching Michael Bisping could not have failed to have been impressed.
The heavyweight, a member of Black Knights MMA, beat Llyr Roberts from Wales in just over a minute at Night Breed UCC 3 in Blackpool.
Bisping (right), once fought for the Burnley club, was guest of honour at the Syndicate Night Club.
The Clitheroe-born Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter watched on as Whitehead went about his business in devastating fashion.
He opened with a heavy low leg kick followed then locked in a Guillotine move as both men went to ground.
The Welshman managed to wriggle out of the choke but Ben, fighting from the ground, punched back then managed to lock the left arm of Roberts which proved to be the decisive move as the bout was stopped by the referee as Roberts had suffered a suspected broken arm.
Alan Clarkin, head coach of Black Knights, said: “It was a top class show and Ben did really well in front of Michael who used to fight for me when he was younger.”
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