RYAN Thomas went into last Saturday’s British amateur lightweight title fight with a perfect 2-0 record. It took just 11 seconds for it to become 3-0.

The packed crowd at Manhattan’s Nightclub barely had time to settle down from serenading the Barrow mixed martial arts star with his walk-on song of ‘Give It Up’ by KC & The Sunshine Band before he had forced opponent David Adams to submit in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it contest.

It came after Adams had gone headlong at Thomas as soon as the referee signalled for the contest to commence, but the Barrow MMA man was able to get a hold on and apply a guillotine choke from which there was no escape, with the end coming in a record time.

“It was a bit quicker than I thought, but it was good,” said Thomas. “He just shot at me and the opportunity was there, so I thought I’d go for it.

“I was buzzing and I was just made up with the support. It couldn’t have gone any better, really, especially putting the show on as well. It was perfect.”

Thomas’ contest was the co-headline attraction on the 12-fight card, which saw another Barrow MMA man in Ash McCracken competing for the flyweight title against Nathan Hayward.

It was a real see-saw contest, with both combatants standing up to everything they threw at each other, despite both landing some telling kicks and punch combinations.

But it was TFT’s Haywood who made the breakthrough in round three, forcing McCracken to submit via rear naked choke after the Barrow fighter had successfully thwarted a previous choke attempt with some super defence.

“I was gutted for Ash, really,” said Thomas. “He put on an absolutely belting show and a really good main event.

“It was perfectly matched and it could have gone either way, but it’s just one of those things.

“Hopefully Ash is back again soon and on the home show in April. Hopefully he can get back out there straight away.”

The club are planning to hold their next fight night on April 27 next year, although Thomas has eyes on being back in action before then after clinching the lightweight crown.

Indeed, he is aiming for this victory to be a springboard to move up the national rankings, and put himself in the picture for more belts and opportunities to progress.

“I think I’m fighting for another title in March next,” said Thomas. “Hopefully I’ll be able to get onto some bigger fights and shows, and get my name out there a bit.

“I’ll be trying to break into the top 15 in the country and that’s what I want.”