HANNAH Rankin is bidding to become a two-sport world champion after making her successful bare knuckle fighting debut in a bruising face-off in Marbella.

The former Hermitage Academy pupil, from Luss, emerged battered and bloodied but victorious from her inaugural bout against Deborah Melhorn last weekend after changing disciplines.

Rankin, nicknamed The Classical Warrior, switched to the Conor McGregor part-owned Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) having previously claimed the IBO super-welterweight boxing title in 2019 - becoming the first Scottish woman to become a world champion boxer – and added the WBA female super-welterweight belt to her name two years later.

Now, she is hoping to kick on in the sport after striking up a friendship with MMA superstar McGregor and getting off to a winning start on October 12.

Rankin has called out rival Jessica Borga online for a potential follow-up fight in February.

Posting on her social media feeds after the victory, Rankin said: “What an amazing night and what a buzz!! 1-0 BK baby!

“Firstly thank you to Deborah Melhorn - it takes two to go to war and we put on a show.

“I’ve learnt so much and I can’t wait to take it forward.

“After all the talk all week @blackwidowborga I’ll see you in the near future. 145lb world title.”

She added: “Still absolutely buzzing to have been involved in such an insanely epic production for my Bare Knuckle FC debut in Marbella - it was like a movie.”

READ MORE: Hannah Rankin eyes move into boxing management after Naomi Mannes defeat

In April, Rankin had stated her intention to move into the world of boxing management after losing against European title challenger Naomi Mannes in a controversial split decision for the World Boxing Association continental super welterweight belt.

The 34-year-old’s professional career record of 13-8 has been left in storage for the time being while she focuses on her next challenge.

Speaking to The National earlier this month, she said: “I’ve been involved in a lot of press conferences but being involved in a press conference with Conor McGregor is in a completely different league. He has serious star power.

“But he’s taken me under his wing and he and his team are really supporting me - we’ve got each other’s phone numbers so he’ll message me which is quite crazy.

“It’s been insane hearing him talking me up publicly but when I chat to him alone, with no one else around, you can just speak to him like a normal person. He’s obsessed with fighting and combat sports - he’s a real nerd about it all so actually, when we’re talking fighter to fighter, it feels really normal.

“I wanted a change so when an offer came in asking if I’d be interested in going to BKFC and I though yeah, why not?,” she says.

“I love a challenge and I like the idea of pushing myself in a completely different way.

“I had toyed with the idea of going over to MMA but bare knuckle fighting sticks with the boxing theme so when this opportunity to go into BKFC came up, it seemed ideal.

“This is the most basic form of fighting and that’s what appeals to me.

“Ultimately, the goal is to become a two-sport world champion. I’m not going into this just to have a go, I want to be great. I never do things by half and it’s the same with this.”