Bamma 33: Ryan Scope becomes lightweight world champion after beating Mickael Lebout via a split decision

NORTH EAST lad Ryan Scope won the lightweight world title on his doorstep.

After a gruelling battle with former UFC star Mickael Lebout, judges awarded Scope the vacant belt by split decision.

It was always going to be tough to follow up Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers’ first-round KO over Karl Donaldson.

But this bout did not disappoint and both fighters left the cage bloodied and bruised after going the distance.

Scope cut Lebout’s nose in the first round but was left with a purple leg after a fierce leg kick.

He worked the Frenchman’s face throughout the fight and in the second caught him clean with a left jab and troubled him with an amazing roundhouse kick.

But Lebout broke Scope’s guard and landed one on his cheek before getting him on the floor to finish the second round.

In the third, it was all to play for and Scope expertly ran his opponent down.

With words of encouragement from David Haye – commenting on the event for ITV – he picked Lebout apart with body blows and more to the head.

Judges scored the fight 29-28, 30-27, 28-29 to Scope.

Speaking after his dramatic win, he said: “I’m over the moon.

“It was a really tough fight and he caught me with some tough shots but I got him in the end.

“I’m always taking tough fights so I’ll fight anyone next.”