HE was a humble hero in his professional rugby league days with Barrow Raiders, and Brett McDerrmott was typically modest on being crowned a mixed martial arts world champion.

Watched by many travelling supporters from his home town Barrow – the cage fighter known as ‘The Spartan’ – won the BAMMA Heavyweight title by beating German Ruben ‘The Viking’ Wolf on Friday night.

The former Raiders favourite brutally dispatched his opponent just 53 seconds into round two of the headline bout at BAMMA 29 staged at the Genting Arena, Birmingham, and screened live on TV channel Dave.

McDermott, 38, who turned professional in 2013, had come out of retirement for the Wolf fight, and the younger opponent was unable to deal with his fearsome punches and was cut on his face about halfway through the first round.

Though he was patched up by his corner team and checked over by the doctor before the start of the second round, he had no answer to the speed and power of McDermott, who played rugby league for Barrow, Workington Town and Whitehaven.

The referee halted the bout after McDermott unleashed a savage flurry of punches while Wolf lay on the canvas, virtually unable to defend himself.

“I am stoked,” McDermott said afterwards. “I was so humbled to get the opportunity because as everyone knows I did retire. But I got the opportunity to fight on BAMMA 29 and this is why we do this, to fight on the big shows against tough guys and it come good tonight. It was a fantastic experience.

“I knew I had the cardio to do it because I’ve been smashing the rowing machine, I’ve been hitting the weights. I’ve had time to prepare for this one, I’ve had about eight weeks, so I knew I had the engine.

“I knew the gas was there, so I wasn’t going to rush it, I was going to feel him out, take my time and not walk on to anything stupid and I think I did that tonight.

“I just got into the zone. I thought if I see him coming at me and I just back off, see the momentum change, he’ll back off, I’ll take it to him and then I’ll slip a short one in see if he’s hurt and I’ll put it on him.

“I wasn’t loading my shots, I was just throwing them sharp and snappy like I have been told and they are the ones that finish them, the little short ones.”

When asked if he would retire with the belt or look to defend his title, McDermott said: “I’m hungry for it. If I’m given the opportunity I’ll take it. I got given this opportunity and I took it. It would be rude not to retain it.

“I brought a decent squad up tonight. I do it for the fans, they’ve come, they have cheered me along, and they’ll have a good drink. This is a bonus getting this belt.

“Whoever they put me up against I will take on. You know I’m not a ducker. I will take short-notice fights against guys who others won’t.”

McDermott added he was unsure when his next fight will be, saying: “I need to go away with my wife and kids first and I’ve got work and stuff to sort out.”