Leah McCourt shared an emotional dressing room embrace with her conqueror Cat Zingano after their gruelling fight at Bellator 293 in California.
The Co Down MMA star, 30, was edged on points by her opponent as the judges scored the bout 29-28, 30-27 and 29-28 in favour of the American.
McCourt's eye was left swollen after Zingano landed an opening round, but she recovered well and got her opponent on the floor in the second, although Zingano defended an attempt at an arm triangle submission well.