Greater Victoria’s first ever pro mixed martial arts cage fight went down as a success on Saturday night.

Held in Bear Mountain Arena, 3,000 fans witnessed some of the highest calibre of MMA B.C. has ever had.

Billed as the Armageddon Fighting Championship No. 1, The Big Bang, the card totalled 12 fights.

A professional quality cage with interlocking floors was brought in from Lethbridge for the event.

“(MMA) is here whether you want it or not, so you better accept it,” said AFC organizer Jason Heit.

The event was years in the making. Heit came close two years ago only to have the Victoria venues pull the plug at the last minute. He and co-promoter Darren Owen outlasted a series of barriers, venues, athletic commissions and policing issues and are now looking forward to AFC No. 2.

In the main event Nanaimo’s Nick “the Juggernaut” Hinchcliffe (185 pounds), who trains in Victoria with Heit at Island MMA, won in a dominant mount.

Hinchcliffe wrapped his right leg around Dan Chambers’ (Lethbridge) right arm and knocked Chambers out cold. Hinchcliffe’s record improves to 13-4.

A heavy police presence was on hand, but there was “nothing to report but a good crowd,” said Corporal Scott Braes of West Shore RCMP.

However, there was one minor catastrophe worth noting. Upon leaving the venue, the majority of drivers insisted on lining up to leave via the main exit, despite the RCMP’s efforts to direct traffic out of the rear exit.

Those who complied were awarded an immediate exit while others waited in line more than 15 minutes.

Results

185 pounds: Nick “The Juggernaut” Hinchcliffe knocked out Dan “Torture” Chambers, using his leg to hold Chambers’ arm.

155 pounds: Gavin Neil (Victoria) was deemed unanimous winner over Curtis Demarce (Edmonton).

170 pounds: Derek “Mad Dog” Medler (Victoria) defeated Brandon MacArthur (Lethbridge) in the first round.

155 pounds: Tyler “The Missing” Lynk (Victoria) lost to Matt Bagshaw (Calgary).

145 pounds: Nick Driedger (Victoria) overpowered Tim Jeffreys (Prince George).

135 pounds: Josh “Beefstorm” Spong (Duncan) grabbed the mic and corrected the ring announcer when the announcer had mixed up Spong’s name with the fighter he defeated, Jason Weare (Victoria).

155 pounds: Connor Riddell (Victoria) defeated Dustin Dickeson (Edmonton) by submission in the first round with an arm bar.

170 pounds: Iury Aquino (Victoria) defeated Aaron McLellan (Victoria).

145 pounds: Jonathon Kirk (Victoria) defeated Ryan Gustafson (Victoria).

145 pounds: Shaun Albrecht (Maple Ridge) defeated Tim Tamaki (Lethbridge).

195 pounds: Former Victoria native Chris “Mountain of Mayhem” Peak said he’ll likely retire from MMA fighting now, after losing to Marcus Hicks (Edmonton).