Lamptey, already a fan favourite after securing Ghana’s only win over a foreign opponent in the maiden GWC tournament in May, repeated the feat in ruthless fashion.

From the opening bell, the middleweight (84kg) contender charged forward, manhandling Bazi to the canvas before raining down a torrent of blows. 

The Nigerian had no answer as the referee stepped in to halt the assault, sealing a spectacular round-one victory that keeps Lamptey’s stock rising in one of the world’s fastest-growing combat sports.

The crowd roared its approval, sensing they were witnessing the birth of a genuine Ghanaian MMA star. For the hosts, Lamptey’s triumph was also a saving grace on a tough night that saw the country’s other warriors fall short against formidable foreign opposition.

It was a night that underlined both the promise and the struggles of Ghana’s MMA hopefuls. While Lamptey soared, compatriots William Adom Nortey (60kg) and Richard Asiedu (70kg) were overpowered by Nigerians Sadiq Mohammed and Felix Okoria, both stoppage defeats that silenced sections of the home crowd.

Two cross-border battles failed to reach their climax: Côte d’Ivoire’s Kone Memom versus Benin’s David Ebele (84kg) and Prince Aka Mensah (Côte d’Ivoire) against Nigeria’s Adim Chukwuebuka (75kg) were both ruled no contests.

The anticlimax only sharpened anticipation for the next explosive bout.

Adding a different flavour to the night was a novelty exhibition bout that blended Ghana’s music and fight culture. Reggie Rockstone, the hiplife legend turned GWC hype man, served up a cultural twist.

He pitted Shatta Movement against Bhim Nation in a novelty clash that whipped the crowd into frenzy and had the arena buzzing. Shatta’s Edmund Akator and Bhim’s Selorm Darko went toe-to-toe in a two-round exhibition, with Akator’s sharper output sealing a points win to the delight of Shatta Wale’s army of fans.

The atmosphere was electric throughout, with drums, chants and cheers shaking the arena as dignitaries including GWC CEO and MMA Ghana President Jeff Taylor, his deputy Kwab Asamoah and officials from the National Sports Authority and Ministry of Sports and Recreation watched on.

“It was a good show, a huge success with a sizeable crowd that never stopped cheering,” Jeff Taylor told the Graphic Sports. “MMA is gaining serious ground in Ghana and we are already looking forward to our next event in December.”