THE Ultimate Warriors night at the Balmoral Hotel was hailed a massive success by Elite coach Karl Bruns.
The mixed martial arts trainer told the Democrat it couldn't have went any better with local fighters bringing a large support and the audience showing huge respect for every fighter.
Newry's Damien Rooney, Saval's Killian Kearney, Warrenpoint's Aaron McNulty and Chris Meeney all enjoyed success in their contests.
But the undoubted fight of the night was between Belfast's Joe Gibson and Ciaran Boyle of Lisnafin. Boyle was declared the winner after three rounds of a what Bruns described as a "complete bloodbath."
Rooney beat his opponent into a first round submission in the only professional bout, as did Meeney in a semi-professional contest.
Bruns claims that mixed martial arts is the fastest growing sport in the world and on Monday he welcomed new members to his club, having witnessed the Ultimate Warriors experience on Friday.
"The audiences that come to these events realise the skill involved in Ultimate Warriors," said Bruns.
"And with mixed martial arts growing in popularity people are becoming more educated and it is not just a matter of people trying to beat each other up, it is a highly skilled sport.
"The number of people that turned up to the Balmoral Hotel the event was perfect and we hope to hold a similar contest in February,“ he added.
Professionals
Damien Rooney (Dog Pound) beat Johnny McGillion (Strabane).
Semi-Professional
Chris Meeney (Elite) beat Aaron Kavanagh (Mas-f).
Mark Kelly (Dog Pound) beat Niall Devine (Strabane).
Ciaran Boyle (Lisnafin MMA) beat Joe Gibson (Progressive).
Gary McQuaid (Evolve) beat Chris Menary (Mas-f).
Amateur
Killian Kearney (Elite) beat Paul McKeough (IMMA).
Josh McChessney (Elite) beat Jarlaith McGuigan (Evolve).
Conal Melon (Evolve) and Louis Gribben (Elite) drew.
Aaron McAnulty (Elite) beat Adam Stevenson (IMMA) Seamus Fox (Evolve) beat Paul O'Hare (Elite) Mal McFall (Chum Sut) beat Richard O'Donnell (Evolve).
Paul McGinley beat Declan Gribben.