The joy and the pain for MMA fighting couple
Jaye Haynes was pulled out while she was on top in their shot at amateur British glory - but boyfriend Jai Herbert did claim a title.
The fighting partners were competing under the BCMMA (British Challenge of Mixed Martial Arts) banner on Saturday night,
Kingswinford's Haynes started out like a house on fire, but looked severely drained at bantamweight as she battled Irish rival Sinead Kavanagh.
They went toe-to-toe from the off at the Charter Hall in Colchester, before Haynes pounced to execute a judo throw and bashed away at her on the canvas.
The assault continued until the bell sounded to end the first round, where Haynes appeared to sink onto her stool.
Trainer John Ashley asked her repeatedly if she was OK, having noticed this upon her return, but his question went unheard.
The concerned coach made the call to end the fight then and there, with his decision respected by the fighter. The mother-of-one, based in Wombourne, may now move up to super bantam.
Ashley decided to save her for another day but will still push her towards the organisation's major honours, with plans to get her up and running again in the New Year.
There was no such problems for Wolverhampton's Herbert, who turned his contest with Craig Edwards completely around with a submission finish.
He had been took down in both the first and second rounds, each time escaping to safety and luring Edwards into a false sense of security.
That was clear when he suddenly sprang an arm bar on his opponent, who was left with little choice but to tap out.
His strong understanding of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu had been factored into his game plan, which worked to perfection in this instance.
Ashley can, at least, boast one BAMMA British amateur champion at his Wolfpack MMA gym in Walsall going into 2015.
