LISTEN: Ozanne comes through two battles to triumph at Lock-In 7

The Black Rock MMA head coach secured a British Lightweight Muay Thai Championship belt after a unanimous decision over Jersey’s Pedro Fernandez in the ever-popular combat sports spectacle, which returned to Beau Sejour’s sports hall after a five-year wait.

But his short spell in the cage was merely the final stage of a comeback journey which – as he reports – involved a doctor telling him he would never fight again.

‘When I stood back in that cage, in my opinion, I had already won,’ he said.

Since his last fight in 2019, Ozanne had ended up sidelined by a detached retina and required multiple operations.

• Podcast: Hear a full interview with Josh Ozanne and Georgia Blumsom from Black Rock MMA on this week's Guernsey Press Sport Podcast (from 14:34)

He overcame continuous adversity, including muscle wastage and constant niggles, to get fighting fit again.

It is for that reason he considers it the all-time highlight of his long and varied career.

‘That was a psychological battle, and probably one of the hardest ones I’ve had,’ he added.

‘To come out and win a belt after being told I would never fight again, that’s my highlight, personally.’

Aside from that finishing flourish for the hosts, opponents from Jersey claimed the majority of victories on the card.

But Island Games judo medallist Lewis Bourgaize put in a stunning performance to win his MMA debut against a full-time fighter.

After finally being matched against Manchester’s Lucas Smith in super lightweight MMA due to a shortage of suitable Jersey opponents, he forced his opponent into a first-round submission with a rear naked choke.

That led to the very professional-looking Bourgaize earning fight of the night.

In another Sarnian triumph, Matt Iwon used his technically beautiful style to take a unanimous decision in his lightweight MMA bout against James Jeune.

Guernsey lost the remainder of the counting bouts, including Joe Graham putting up a real fight against Sam Pearce only to lose out to an arm bar submission in the dying seconds.

Johan Pols ended up outpointed on split decision against Ralph Pickering in a light heavyweight Muay Thai war.

That echoed the fate of fellow Muay Thai fighter Georgia Blumsom, who had a great battle of her own against Laura Douglas but ended on a losing note.

That sole women’s bout was a contender for fight of the night.

Lewis Bentley, Braden Bougourd and Fin Aitkin also lost out to their respective Jersey opponents. However, Aitkin came close, pushing it to a split decision.

Five all-Guernsey bouts had opened proceedings – and the outcomes varied heavily.

In K1, Joe Joyce took a split decision over Reece Gilman, Alex Atkinson claimed a technical knockout on Clayton Taylor and Jack Migasiuk won unanimously against Hugo Birch.

A boxing duel of the Doms led to Dom Boyce getting a technical knockout on Dom Simon, but in contrast, Joe Wilson’s hard-fought bout of pugilism against Jake Fletcher was declared a draw.

Shane Rosamond of Cage and Stage Promotions described the event as ‘the best Lock-In to date’.

‘All of the competitors gave 100%, and win, lose or draw they are all champions in our eyes,’ he said.

‘We would like to thank all of the gyms or teams locally and those who travelled from Jersey and the UK.

‘After a break as a result of Covid it is brilliant to see the interest locally in mixed combat sports is alive and kicking.’