The unrelenting juggernaut that is the Ultimate Fighting Championship blasted its way through Manchester on Saturday and this American sporting import is here to stay.
History made
Rosi Sexton, seemingly making history with each step she takes, lost her battle but the overwhelming feeling was that she is winning the war.
The Cambridge University graduate lost the first ever women's mixed martial arts fight on European soil and although Jessica Andrade used her as a punch-bag, the bigger picture is Sexton's unrivalled contribution to the rise of combat sports in this country.
Her theoretical computer science degree cannot help in the Octagon but Sexton, her face a mess but her heart uncompromised, is inspirational proof that a fighter's desire can be found inside even the most unlikely people.
From north of the border, Robert Whiteford became the first Scot to channel the Braveheart spirit amongst the elite of this sport and while he was defeated by Jimy Hettes, he joins Sexton is pioneering British martial artists.
Newcastle's Andy Ogle also came unstuck against Cole Miller's ground-based attack.
It was perhaps testament to how far British fighters have come after Brad Scott and Luke Barnatt displayed high-level jiu-jitsu skills to finish their fights, usually the realm of their Brazilian counterparts.
Instead it was left to the South Americans Andrade and John Lineker - in no mood to sympathise with his namesake's countrymen - to swing leather and let their fists talk.
Ulsterman Norman Parke's boxing combinations led him to a decision win over Jon Tuck.
Ultimately the fans, hardened MMA veterans and those learning about the intricacies of a young and evolving sports, went home yearning for more. They will get their wish next year.
