LUKE'S GOOD

Late developer Riley is bloomin' lovely

- BY GARY HITCHCOCK

LUKE RILEY has gone from “late bloomer” to absolute banger and the Liverpool fighter believes his power will bring glory inside the octagon.

He may be a featherweight when he jumps on the scales, but Riley proved he hits like a ton of bricks on his UFC debut in Qatar last month.

Having been outgrappled by Bogdan Grad in the opening round, the 26-year-old Scouser uncorked a pinpoint left hook that sent the Austrian to the canvas before several hammer fists forced the referee to end the punishment.

It was a potent opening statement that would have made the rest of the 145lb division sit up and take notice.