FIGHT Ministry coach Neal Lofts says the race is on for the Mixed Martial Arts professional ranks among his talented stable of fighters.

Adam Thompson, Jack Grant and Gavin Lofts all notched their second victories at semi-pro level in a fight night at the Virtual Ice Arena in Rotherham.

At present, James Bateman, 24, a finalist in Virgin One's US UFC Contender TV Series The Ultimate Fighter last year, is the only pro fighter at the Humberston stable.

But Lofts believes it won't be long before more of his fighters join the paid ranks.

He said: "It's a race for the pro ranks for these fighters.

"I wouldn't like to bet on who will make it first.

"For a former judo player, Adam is looking dangerous on his fight.

"Jack put in the fight of the night, while it was another slick performance from Gavin – a cool customer.

Welterweight Thompson beat Doncaster's Ryan Beven in two rounds after dominating the clinch and taking his Yorkshire rival to the ground at will.

The judo black-belt, from Terry Alltoft's renowned Grimsby stable, was in control of the first two rounds on his feet – using his jab and low round kick to good effect.

Beven failed to come out for the third round, handing the Grimsby fighter victory.

Eighteen-year-old lightweight Grant, matched against Ben Cross of Sheffield-based Wild Wild MMA, managed a knockout victory one minute into the third round.

An exciting first round saw Grant take a dominant position in the clinch before making a big suplex throw, but Cross recovered with a pull guard.

Grant, though, found another gear in the second, trading round kicks and achieving the take-down.

Cross counter-attacked with his back to the floor with arm bar and triangle choke submission attempts.

In the third, Cross finally capitulated through tiredness after Grant landed a big far leg low round kick.

Welterweight Lofts dominated York opponent Oscar Hazzar from the off, using his dangerous jab.

The 6ft 4ins Grimsby man picked his shots, forcing Hazzar into making the take-down.

But Lofts took a commanding high-mount position and a slick arm bar move gave Hazzar no option but to concede two minutes and forty seconds into the first round.

Steven Bingham also fought in South Yorkshire for the Lofts' Wilton Road-based gym, winning his debut amateur fight at welterweight.

Bingham's aggressive wrestling game saw him claim victory against Thorne-based Asylum MMA fighter Craig Lapping after two five-minute rounds.

The 24-year-old amateur, making his Fight Ministry debut, proved too strong in the clinch.

And after a dominant two rounds the judges felt the fight didn't need to go to a third – and awarded Bingham a unanimous victory.

Lofts added: "Steve made a great debut and is another promising fighter."