UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Tywan Claxton really shouldn’t have a lot of reasons to complain.

This past Friday, he opened up the main card of Bellator 194 on the new Paramount network (formerly Spike). It was just his second pro fight. He wasn’t there by accident or out of convenience.

Claxton (2-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) was put there against Jose Antonio Perez (0-2 MMA, 0-2 BMMA) because his debut in the fall at Bellator 186 resulted in a flying-knee knockout that went viral. But with that came the pressure of topping such a big highlight.

Against Perez, Claxton had to settle for a second-round TKO win thanks to some big ground-and-pound. He went back to his stellar wrestling to get the job done. But that left him feeling perhaps a little conflicted.

“I guess it’s how you look at it,” Claxton told MMAjunkie after his win. “You can’t throw a flying knee in your pro debut, and then …”

Claxton’s win came at Bellator 194 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. There, the fans may have been hoping to see something flashy like his flying knee. They settled for the TKO.

Claxton said when he could sense the fans not enjoying the fight, he tried to amp it up a bit. But he said he was in a fight with an opponent who wasn’t necessarily in the mood for a slugfest. And that may be the product of him seeing what he’s capable of thanks to his debut win over Jonny Bonilla-Bowman.

“I didn’t want to go out there and lay on the guy and hug him,” he said. “I just kind of reacted to the crowd a little bit. If I felt they were getting anxious, I postured up and threw some big elbows. But at the same time, this is a guy – I had to press the action. He stood back and he wanted to throw wild punches, so I just felt like it was best for me to take him down.”

After the win over Perez, Claxton got the congratulatory messages one would expect him to get after his national TV debut on a high-profile “tent pole” event for Bellator. But those lauding him and his move to 2-0 with two stoppages to open his pro career also could tell he wasn’t happy with it.

“I’ve been looking at my phone and everybody’s like, ‘Dude, you look so mad,’” Claxton said. “I’m like, ‘Man, I tried to flying-knee this fool and he just disappeared out of the way.’ I’m always looking for a highlight finish and I want to entertain the fans. I don’t want to guy who wins by TKO or be a guy that I’ve got to play off the crowd.”

Still, at least Clasxton seems to know the count – that no matter what, he should cut himself some slack, given he’s only two fights into what could be a long career.

“I’m looking for action, and I want it all the time,” Claxton said. “I was a little disappointed in myself tonight, but it’s my second pro fight.”

For complete coverage of Bellator 194, check out the MMA Events section of the site.