HUMBERSTON mixed martial arts fighter Jack Grant will benefit from holding off turning professional as he continues to attract top European opposition, says coach Neal Lofts.
Grant has crammed a record of 13 wins, two defeats and one draw into two years, lifting five championship belts along the way.
The 20-year-old's latest outing saw him challenge France's Arnold Quero for the 10th Legion European under-70kg lightweight belt.
Grant lost the showdown fight in London, but his Humberston-based Fight Ministry camp are upbeat about his potential for the future.
Lofts, coach, said: "Jack has exhausted most of the opposition outside of the pro ranks domestically – most of which, in my opinion, have turned professional too early and is a decision taken far too lightly in MMA.
"At the highest level, MMA is dominated by Olympic-standard wrestlers, who the British are struggling against.
"Frankie Edgar, Chael Sonnen and Josh Koscheck are examples of fighters that have benefited from a college wrestling scholarship, and the largest promotions in MMA are drawing from this pool.
"I don't think it's unrealistic to think that Jack could be facing this ilk of opponent in the future, but I believe it'll take at least another two years of building.
"Matching our fighters with European opponents will help prolong the whole process, giving him time to develop before turning professional."
Grant's title fight against Quero, fought to Nevada amateur rules, was over by the end of the first of three scheduled three-minute rounds.
The Humberston man measured the shorter Quero with jab and far leg round kick early on.
Quero managed to catch two of those kicks and threatened both times with the takedown, only to be out wrestled on the ground.
Grant took control and found the target with some well-placed punches.
An arm bar attempt from Quero had to be defended.
But Quero managed to wrap his legs about the Humberston man's body and throw a guillotine choke that led to Grant tapping in the dying seconds of the first round.
Lofts said: "It was another great test for Jack, against a quality opponent who is arguably one of the biggest prospects in Europe outside the professional ranks.
"Getting caught with an arm bar against a talented grappler in Sam Boult earlier in the year, and now the guillotine with Quero, shows that Jack needs to put in some technical work.
"But bearing in mind that Jack has only been on the mat for two years, at the age of twenty he's progressing nicely.
"His record, against quality opponents, speaks for itself."
