TIM Sharratt tasted victory on his cage fighting debut – but it was a close-run thing.
The 29-year-old site engineer from Great Sutton defeated Liverpool’s Mark Austin on Sunday in the Gladiator School show at Chester Racecourse.
Father-of-two Sharratt emerged victorious on a split decision despite sustaining a cut above his eye early on which required six stitches.
The 77kg semi-professional mixed martial arts match – one of a card of 15 fights – was so close it went to a rare judges’ decision.
“I was happy to win because I had got cut early,” said Sharratt. “Some people said it was a clash of heads but I’m not sure. It was one of those cuts you get when you fight so I got on with the job and got the result.”
To the anger of Austin’s corner, Sharratt was declared the winner by the ringside judges. Most cage fights end in submission at the referee’s call.
Now Mario Sucata, who runs the Wolfslair gym in Widnes where Sharratt trains, has offered him a second bout in February or March.
“I would love to get in the ring and do it again,” said Sharratt.
“It was great. I have seen the video back and I am confident the right decision was made.”
