http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/85228/bodyslam-bouncer-is-revealed-as-fearsome-mixed-martial-arts
The bouncer caught on camera bodyslamming a troublesome drinker onto the pavement can be revealed today as Lewis Barrow, a trained martial arts fighter.
It is understood Mr Barrow, 30, has been suspended as a doorman whilst his employer carries out an investigation into the incident.
Sky Tyne and Wear has discovered film footage of one of Barrow's fights, a ferocious title bout in which he is the one who ends up motionless on the ground after having his head pounded by opponent Stevie Lynch.
He caused furore when a video emerged of him picking up and slamming a man head-first to the ground outside Idols bar in Newcastle's Newgate Street.
There are gasps and cries of horror as the reveller - who has still not come forward to make a complaint to the police - hits the ground with a sickening thud.
Barrow's friends and associates say the incident was out of character and that he was attacked repeatedly by the man he briefly left unconscious on the floor.
Lewis Barrow's fight video
Yesterday, at his home in Washington, Mr Barrow said he was unable to comment without the permission of his employer.
The burly doorman's profile and picture appears on the MMA Total Combat website which details his career as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter. He also appears in a video which was posted on Youtube in 2007.
Barrow, who was representing Washington Vale Tudo Club, is beaten by Ulsterman Lynch who knocks him senseless with a series of forearm smashes to the head while pinning him to the canvass.
Northumbria Police are continuing to investigate the incident in which the drinker was hurled to the floor. Mr Barrow attended a Newcastle police station voluntarily and was not arrested, although officers will continue to take statements.
It is thought CCTV cameras in the area may shed further light on the incident in its entirety.
The video was shot by Luke Taylor, a student at Newcastle University, who was on a night out with his friends when he stumbled across the confrontation outside Idols.
play video
Incident outside idols
He said: "I was walking down Newgate Street and saw this guy confronting the bouncer. He was well out of order and I could see it was about to kick off.
"I got my phone out and started to film what was happening.
"It was a shock to everyone when we heard the thud of him hitting the ground, it was was a sickening moment and he lay there very still.
"But within a few seconds he was up again, he managed to get up surprisingly quickly and he pulled off his shirt.
"He made another attempt at getting to the bouncer again but he was dragged away by his friends."
