Richard Mearns scored the biggest win of his career so far with a second round submission of hometown hero Scott Butters at Contenders 27 in Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: New Contenders strawweight champion Ewelina Wozniak with the belt after her points win over Karolina Wojcik at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KINGNew Contenders strawweight champion Ewelina Wozniak with the belt after her points win over Karolina Wojcik at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

In what was a pivotal clash for both men, who entered the cage with matching 2-2 records as professionals, Mearns imposed his will on Dereham's Butters, dominating the Norfolk man with takedowns and heavy pressure on the floor in the first round.

Butters, who'd dropped to featherweight for the first time here, staggered Mearns with a big right hand at the start of the second stanza, sending the home crowd into a frenzy, only for Mearns to score another takedown and work for the finish, which came by way of armbar after a beautiful transition from a triangle choke.

Despite the high-pressure stakes of the co-main event clash, Mearns was as gracious in victory as Butters was in defeat, with both warriors emerging from the conflict as credits to their sport.

Eastern Daily Press: Richard Mearns sinks in the fight-ending armbar on Scott Butters at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KINGRichard Mearns sinks in the fight-ending armbar on Scott Butters at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

In the main event, Ewelina Wozniak lifted the Contenders strawweight title after an absorbing back-and-forth battle with Karolina Wojcik in what was a clash between two of the best 115lbs female fighters in Europe.

After Wozniak took the first two rounds with powerful striking and strong grappling, the tenacious, aggressive Wojcik and her relentless push for takedowns carried the third and fourth.

But Wozniak landed flurries of punches and avoided the wrestling attack of her determined foe in the crucial fifth and final round, which was enough for her to take a split decision points win in a fight which will live long in the memory of all who watched it.

Eastern Daily Press: Karolina Wojcik, left, and Ewelina Wozniak trade blows in their title fight at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KINGKarolina Wojcik, left, and Ewelina Wozniak trade blows in their title fight at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Elsewhere on the main card, super prospect Felix Klinkhammer moved to 4-0 with another first round win over Laid Zerhouni via rear naked choke, while fellow welterweight Josh Leet also stayed unbeaten, the Wisbech man improving to 3-0 after busting foe Ivan Golod's nose wide open with elbows from mount in a crimson-soaked first round stoppage.

London Shootfighters talent Klinkhammer has yet to be extended out of the first round in any of his eight career fights - four as both amateur and professional - and is as exhilarating to watch as he must be terrifying to fight, throwing explosive, flashy techniques with impunity because, if and when the fight hits the floor, he's a monster there too. Remember his name - as if you could forget it!

Hugely popular Ipswich star Corrin Eaton returned from retirement to force Will Cairns to tap to strikes in the first stanza of their fight, and Aaron Rolfe bested Shaun Banyard in a brilliant 70kg boxing battle across borders, Norwich fighter Rolfe claiming a majority points win over Ipswich scrapper Banyard, and promptly calling for a title shot.

Eastern Daily Press: Felix Klinkhammer, left, looked devastating again with another first round win. Picture: BRETT KINGFelix Klinkhammer, left, looked devastating again with another first round win. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

KO of the night went to Felixstowe's Brent Rose, who viciously connected shin to chin to switch off Daniel Ballard with a brutal headkick in their 82kg K1 battle, while Tsunami Gym Norfolk's William Booth took home best submission for his lightning quick mounted guillotine stoppage of Daniel Parker in a strawweight MMA bout.

Booth's gym-mate Eduardo Gonzalez-Ayala was also impressive in his 82kg MMA win over the tough and gritty Vincent Britto, setting an incredible pace on his way to a unanimous points win in a contest which ran the Wojcik/Wozniak classic close in the fight of the night stakes.

There was another win too for giant Norwich heavyweight boxer Jakub Adamski, who used his trademark sledgehammer body shots and forward pressure to beat the game and skilled Carl Marsh in their heavyweight dispute.

Eastern Daily Press: Felix Klinkhammer with his London Shootfighters team after moving to 4-0 as a pro at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KINGFelix Klinkhammer with his London Shootfighters team after moving to 4-0 as a pro at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Look out as well for flashy young striker Flobater Fares of SBG Cork, who showboated his way to a win over Rio MMA's Phil Taylor in one of the night's early fights, a cadet MMA clash at 59kg.

Fares showed a staggering array of spins and strikes in his points win over the talented Taylor, and is certainly one to watch for in the future.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, the second Road to Contenders amateur show boasted some engaging fights and displays.

Eastern Daily Press: Josh Leet busts open Ivan Golod's face with elbows from mount. Picture: BRETT KINGJosh Leet busts open Ivan Golod's face with elbows from mount. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Elite Gym's Jack Farrell and Luke Goodge both impressed with rapid first round submission wins, while Optimum MMA's Jonathan Hind unleashed some horrifying leg kicks on his way to a points win over the very tough Danny Gotts.

Bury's Callum Cunningham looked good on his MMA debut, using a takedown heavy approach to best George Morris on points in their heavyweight tussle, and Josh Tinker and Dan Harvey took home fight of the night honours after they shared a draw in a K1 thriller.

In the grappling main event, Ollie Dillon and Chris Hayes finished in a draw after ten minutes of high-level BJJ exchanges, Hayes attacking with heel hooks and Dillon showing smothering, heavy pressure from the top, much of it in mount.

Eastern Daily Press: Josh Leet moved to 3-0 with a stoppage of Ivan Golod. Picture: BRETT KINGJosh Leet moved to 3-0 with a stoppage of Ivan Golod. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Full results

Contenders 27

Eastern Daily Press: Ipswich favourite Corrin Eaton returned after retirement with a first round win. Picture: BRETT KINGIpswich favourite Corrin Eaton returned after retirement with a first round win. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Undercard

Alex Andrews beat Tayler Mills via UD (68kg K1)

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich boxer Aaron Rolfe lands a bodyshot on Ipswich's Shaun Banyard on his way to a points win. Picture: BRETT KINGNorwich boxer Aaron Rolfe lands a bodyshot on Ipswich's Shaun Banyard on his way to a points win. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Flobater Fares beat Phil Taylor via UD (59kg youth MMA)

Kacper Ozeg beat Arunas Jankevicious via UD (88kg boxing)

Housinne Ben Bouazza beat Mikey Finn by KO in the third round (welterweight K1)

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich boxer Aaron Rolfe is hoping for a title shot next. Picture: BRETT KINGNorwich boxer Aaron Rolfe is hoping for a title shot next. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

William Booth beat Daniel Parker by submission in the first round - mounted guillotine choke (strawweight MMA)

Brent Rose beat Daniel Ballard by KO in the first round (82kg K1)

Aaron Rolfe beat Shaun Banyard via MD (70kg boxing)

Eastern Daily Press: Suffolk's Brent Rose stands over Daniel Ballard having just connected shin to chin for the KO of the night. Picture: BRETT KINGSuffolk's Brent Rose stands over Daniel Ballard having just connected shin to chin for the KO of the night. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Eduardo Gonzalez-Ayala beat Vincent Britto via UD (82kg MMA)

Jakub Adamski beat Carl Marsh via UD (heavyweight boxing)

Corrin Eaton beat Will Cairns by submission in the first round - tap to strikes (lightweight MMA)

Eastern Daily Press: Suffolk's Brent Rose celebrates after his headkick knockout of Daniel Ballard. Picture: BRETT KINGSuffolk's Brent Rose celebrates after his headkick knockout of Daniel Ballard. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Main card

Josh Leet beat Ivan Golod by TKO in the first round (welterweight MMA)

Eastern Daily Press: William Booth scored the submission of the night with a mounted guillotine of Daniel Parker. Picture: BRETT KINGWilliam Booth scored the submission of the night with a mounted guillotine of Daniel Parker. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)

Felix Klinkhammer beat Laid Zerhouni by submission in the first round - rear naked choke (welterweight MMA)

Richard Mearns beat Scott Butters by submisson in the second round - armbar (featherweight MMA)

Ewelina Wozniak beat Karolia Wojcik by SD (wins Contenders strawweight MMA title)

Eastern Daily Press: Tsunami Gym Norfolk's Eduardo Gonzalez-Ayala looked very impressive on his way to victory at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KINGTsunami Gym Norfolk's Eduardo Gonzalez-Ayala looked very impressive on his way to victory at Contenders 27. Picture: BRETT KING (Image: Archant)