Mohamad Walid already cannot wait for more packed out ONE Fighting Championship events, af­ter he won the all-UAE contest at the World Trade Centre yesterday.

The reigning Dubai FC welter­weight champion showed his class on the undercard of the packed bill of mixed martial arts, making more experienced opponent Vaughn Do­nayre submit in the first round with an excruciating armbar.

The Khulood Club fighter – who represents Syria despite hailing from Abu Dhabi – pumped his fist with joy after the referee called time on the 76kg catchweight con­test against his Dubai-resident op­ponent, leaping up to the top of the cage to celebrate with his vocal sup­porters.

“It is crazy. I love my crowd,” he said. “I wish to come here for a goal and I want the belt for ONE FC.

“It is amazing that ONE FC has come here. I said when I signed the contract that I wish it was 12 con­tracted fights not six.

“It is the biggest organisation I have fought for and the best. It is a big step in my life.”

Walid has been born and bred in the UAE, claiming a gold medal at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Cup in 2010. The karate black belt now boasts an unbeaten 4-0 professional record following last night’s event.

He entered the ring in traditional dress, and conducted his post-fight interviews similarly attired follow­ing his swift dismantling of Donay­re.

He said: “I am from Abu Dhabi, I am Arabic in the end. I have to rep­resent my country very well. I have to represent UAE, Dubai, everyone.

“I love my coaches and I love my family. It is not about me as a fight­er, fighting runs into my family’s blood. All my brothers are martial-arts fighters.”

There were contrasting emo­tions with The Champion Club’s Donayre, his pre-fight 7-1-0 record counting for little in the ring once floored for the second time in front of Filipino fans in the crowd.

“It is, what it is. I was going to go in and do it right there, I had a good game plan but he controlled me by taking me down,” he said.

“I thank the Filipino community who were here today. I also thank the UAE and the ONE FC for com­ing here.”