JAREK Bitner will make the transition from fan to fighter on Saturday evening when he makes his mixed martial arts debut against Musa Christian.

Having watched the sport on television, the Ulverston Rangers goalkeeper finally decided to take the plunge last November when he started training at Barrow MMA’s Greengate Street base.

Now, just over a year later, he is set to make his bow on the club’s sold-out show at Manhattan’s and is feeling ready go.

“I’ve always watched it on TV and liked it, so I thought I might as well give it a go,” said Bitner.

“I’ve always liked the idea of it and heard from a couple of the lads there was a club in Barrow. One of them got me to come down and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.

“The lads have taught me a lot and the coaches. A few of the lads have got good experience from the fights they’ve had and they’ve been spot on, and they’ve helped me out.

“The atmosphere has been great, they’ve made me feel welcome from the first day. Every time someone new starts, they make them feel welcome and I think that’s why numbers keep going up.”

Bitner still vividly recalls his first time sparring in the cage at the club, in particular the rush he got from it.

But he knows it will be different in a full contest.

“It was eye-opening,” said Bitner. “Every time you get in there to spar someone you get a bit of an adrenaline rush and on Saturday, I think it’s going to go sky-high.

“When you’re actually fighting someone properly, it’s going to be completely different. I’ve spoken to a couple of lads what it was like when they had their first fight and they said you can’t describe it.

“It’ll be a really great experience.”