Know Your Fighter: Alan Philpott

Full Name:

Alan Philpott

Age:

32

Where were you born:

Ballymena , Northern Ireland

Where do you live:

Sydney

Which gym do you train out of:

Lions den academy / BBMA

Who are your coaches:

Luke Pezzutti, Johnny BarraBena

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:

Northern Irish champion Irish champion Bamma British champion Purple belt bjj

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Tried my hand in soccer , rugby , tae kwon do , boxing and mma

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:

16 years old I transitioned from boxing to mma. At 18 I turned pro after 17 amateur fights in 2 years , captured Irish title and was selected to represent Ireland to fight team USA in Chicago

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:

The sessions depend on what I’m feeling. At the moment pad work with coach Johnny and Luke’s Tuesday and thursday mma classes . Working on weaknesses and getting better is the main thing

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:

Counter punching and fight iq most of the time . Not scared to take risks

How would you describe your fighting style:

Crafty , Confident , exciting , no fear , inspiring to younger generation , alway up for the fight

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA , because it’s my life

Who is your favourite athlete:

This varies each week depending on my mood haha

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Terrance Crawford would be top of the list

What are your immediate and long term goals:

To get as much experience and as far as I can go so I can help my future fighters and students not make the mistakes I did . Open my own gym

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:

Fun, fast , exciting , clinical performance

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

I see me feeling it out to start and when I settle dominate and finish fast

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

The support and backing I receive is really uplifting and keeps me going. Having others support and believe in me makes me want to succeed for them as much as me

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

@alanphilpott92- Insta Alan Philpott facebook

Know Your Fighter: Emil Jeries

Full Name:

Emil Jeries

Age:

27

Where were you born:

Sydney, Australia

Where do you live:

Sydney

Which gym do you train out of:

Origin MMA

Who are your coaches:

Nurbolat Kuandyk Philip Kim Rodney Williams

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:

Purple Belt BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

I grew up doing athletics. Moved to soccer then eventually found MMA

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:

I started MMA in 2016, trained for a year or so then i had 4 years away as i went to university and worked full time in construction management. I’ve been on and off since then. But recently i have quit my job and am focusing on training and competing full time.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:

Sparring days of course. Nothing compares to having an all out war with a juiced 40 year old accountant who just lost his kids/house in a divorce settlement every Tuesday night

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:

I can find a finish no matter the position

How would you describe your fighting style:

All rounder

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA – i find every other sport boring and ghey

Who is your favourite athlete:

Jon Jones

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Jon Jones

What are your immediate and long term goals:

I want to be active, 3-5 fights this year and eventually make the big leagues by the end of the year / early next.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:

Just a kid whos down for a scrap

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Christian is a great striker, fun to watch too. Honestly I don’t like to predict results of fights but I know for sure I will hit him harder than anyone he has faced before and I’m capable of mixing it up and confident wherever the fight goes.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Enjoy the show

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Follow me on Instagram – emiljeries

Know Your Fighter: Shaun Etchell

Full Name:

Shaun Etchell

Age:

31

Where were you born:

Launceston

Where do you live:

Launceston

Which gym do you train out of:

Furnace MMA/ Launceston boxing club

Who are your coaches:

Steve Wallace twigs Millwood Korey Sutcliffe

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:

Purple belt Eternal flyweight champion Eternal bantamweight champion Legion bantamweight champion

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

AFL football

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:

18 years old I trained for 2 weeks before I had my first amateur fight then made my professional debut 3 weeks later

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:

Playful sparring and sparring in general

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:

well rounded in all aspects of the sport speed power endurance but striking stands out

How would you describe your fighting style:

Pressure

What is your favourite sport and why:

AFL I think some of them can convert into great marital artists

Who is your favourite athlete:

Mike Tyson Anderson Silva

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Anderson Silva Robbie Lawler

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Win my fight February 8th get married 3 weeks later then work my way back into a title fight

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:

Face paced exciting fight in your face fight

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

A Finish half way through the second into the 3rd

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

@thebuzzsawmma

Know Your Fighter: Sebastian Szalay

Full Name:

Sebastian szalay

Age:

30

Where were you born:

Perth

Where do you live:

Wollongong Sydney

Which gym do you train out of:

Freestyle MMA

Who are your coaches:

Joe Lopez

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:

Purple belt BJJ Karate Black belt

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Karate

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:

Age of 24 started to train MMA turned pro 25

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:

Sparring Get to test myself and things I have been working on

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:

My footwork and timing

How would you describe your fighting style:

Striker

What is your favourite sport and why:

Martial arts Been a family thing since I can remember

Who is your favourite athlete:

GSP

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

GSP

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Defend my belt and be best FW in Australia and go to UFC be a champion

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:

A technical striker who can finish a fight at any time

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Finish.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Thank you to all my sponsors family and Friends couldn’t do it without you

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Sebszalay

Know Your Fighter: Alex Poniris

Full Name:

Alexander Poniris

Age:

26

Where were you born:

Sydney Australia

Where do you live:

Sydney Australia

Which gym do you train out of:

Warrior training academy

Who are your coaches:

Michael mcsevney

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:

Brown belt BJJ black belt taekwondo

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Played Soccer growing up Started martial arts at 12 yrs old

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:

6 years ago started mma Started making it a profession about 4 years ago

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:

Favourite session is sparring Love the feeling during sparring and after sparring, feels good completing a hard sparring session with your team.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:

I am an all round fighter, happy where ever the fight goes

How would you describe your fighting style:

Well rounded

What is your favourite sport and why:

Mma Most entertaining sport in the world

Who is your favourite athlete:

I don’t have one

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Josh culibao

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Have a busy year this year, hopfully get 3-4 fight in and then a title shot for eternal. Make it to the ufc and become champion

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:

A very entertaining fight

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

A finish

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Thank you very much to all my friends, family and supporters for always supporting me and backing me.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Alexanderponiris on instagram

2024: A Landmark Year for Eternal MMA

Eternal MMA continued to assert its dominance as the premier Australian combat sports organisation in 2024, delivering a year marked by unprecedented growth, strategic expansion, and unparalleled industry leadership. Through an unrivalled strength of schedule, industry-leading production, and exceptional matchmaking, we have solidified our position as the definitive leader in Australia’s combat sports scene.

2024 saw Eternal MMA’s profile grow significantly both at home and abroad. We increased our live gate attendance, achieving new records for both individual event attendance and annual totals. Eternal events have become major calendar highlights, with fan demand for our shows continuing to surge. In line with this growth, our commercial partnerships expanded, not just in volume, but also in value, underlining the immense confidence the industry places in our brand.

We also successfully integrated Sydney, NSW, into our regular event calendar, joining Gold Coast and Perth as permanent fixtures on the Eternal MMA schedule. Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to announce plans to add one more Australian city to our roster, further increasing our national footprint.

Leading the Region 

Eternal MMA is the only Australian MMA promotion operating as a fully structured sports organisation. This distinction sets us apart from competitors and reaffirms our position as the clear market leader across all key metrics, including live event broadcast distribution, on-demand original content, strength of schedule, event attendance, and social media engagement. Our unrivalled ability to consistently deliver exceptional events, combined with cutting-edge production, continues to elevate the sport in Australia and beyond.

Our commitment to engaging with fans in innovative ways has paid off, with notable growth in our social media presence. Eternal MMA’s YouTube channel has become the most followed and viewed combat sports channel in Australia and New Zealand, boasting over 15 million total views and averaging more than 150,000 unique views per month. This engagement highlights our ability to reach a global audience, and positions us as a key player in the world of combat sports content distribution.

Expanding National & International Footprints

The demand for live sports, particularly in combat disciplines, is at an all-time high. Eternal MMA is primed to meet this demand with a clear strategy for both national expansion and increased international visibility. The last 24 months have seen us develop a global viewership base, strengthen relationships with international fighters, teams, and managers, and create some of the most competitive and entertaining matchups in the sport. This international reach allows us to showcase not only Australian athletes to the world, but also bring top-tier international talent to Australian audiences, providing a truly global experience.

Unrivalled Athlete Promotion & Brand Building

Eternal MMA has built a reputation as the region’s leader in athlete promotion and brand building. Our alumni continue to excel on the world stage, with a remarkable 27-5 UFC record that underscores the quality of fighters we nurture and promote. This success reflects our commitment to creating career-defining opportunities for our athletes while also strengthening our brand as a beacon for talent and opportunity.


Quote from Cam O’Neill, Managing Director & Founder of Eternal MMA
“As we leave another year in the rearview mirror, it’s very satisfying to look back on some great moments from 2024. We continued to showcase the region’s best athletes and put on some amazing fights, our digital team helped take our live broadcast experience to another level, and our alumni continue to make positive noise at the highest level, performing in the UFC Octagon. Moving forward, we will double down on our quest for continuous improvement, national and international expansion, while helping our athletes become household names and achieve their dreams.”

Quote from Ben Vickers, Executive Director of Eternal MMA
“2024 was another epic year for Eternal, we saw the instant classic of Webb Vs Kophamel at a packed HBF Stadium ahead of UFC 305, over 3,000 screaming Australian MMA fans on their feet throughout as we witnessed a record breaking number of strikes being thrown and neither fighter taking a backward step. This is what makes Eternal the best, the quality of fight centre cage. In 2024 we did that every time we set up the venue, the stands were packed with Australian MMA fans and we blew them away with our fights and production, in 2025 we will do it again, more often and bigger! “


Conclusion

2024 was an extraordinary year for Eternal MMA. We have proven time and again that our strength lies not only in the calibre of our athletes and the quality of our events but also in our ability to adapt and innovate in an ever-evolving market. As we continue to build on this momentum, the future is bright, and Eternal MMA is poised to redefine the landscape of combat sports in Australia and around the world.

Eternal MMA: Showcasing Australia’s Top Talent with Original Content, Every Week 📺

Eternal MMA isn’t just an event; it’s the beating heart of Australian mixed martial arts. As the nation’s leading MMA organisation, Eternal MMA has become a showcase for incredible talent, electrifying fights, and the rising stars who are making Australia a powerhouse on the global MMA stage.

For fans of high-octane combat sports, Eternal MMA’s YouTube channel is your front-row seat to all the action. With over 1,700 videos, it’s a treasure trove of top-tier fights, in-depth athlete profiles, expert fight breakdowns, and our highly acclaimed “Laid Bare” series. This is where fans and aspiring fighters alike can immerse themselves in the stories, skills, and spectacular moments that define Australian MMA.

The rise of Australian MMA is undeniable, and Eternal MMA is leading the charge. By highlighting local talent and delivering world-class events, we’re showing the world what our fighters are made of. From seasoned champions to the next generation of contenders, Eternal MMA is where Australian combat sports shine the brightest.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. Eternal MMA is constantly innovating and bringing fans exclusive programming that takes the sport to new heights. Don’t miss a moment of the action—subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications to stay ahead of the game.

Join us as we continue to elevate Australian MMA and inspire fans worldwide. The future of combat sports is here, and it’s Eternal MMA.


Get a sneak peek at what’s coming next in Australian combat sports—Eternal MMA is bringing you exclusive programming never seen before. Be the first to catch all the action by subscribing and turning on notifications.

RAPID FIRE SERIES
Every Tuesday – 8PM AEST
Rapid Fire puts fighters and coaches on the spot with quick, sharp questions that test their wit and IQ. Think fast—watch now! 

HOT WINGS CHALLENGE!
Every Wednesday – 8PM AEST
Eternal Flame turns up the heat as guests tackle trivia and banter—loser takes a bite of insanely hot wings. Can they handle the fire?

INSIDERS PODCOAST
Every Thursday – 8PM AEST
The Eternal Insiders podcast drops every Thursday, hosted by Luke Trahair. Join him for interviews with fighters, champions, veterans, and special guests. Stay in the loop on all things Eternal and Aussie MMA—tune in now!

FREE ETERNAL FIGHTS
Regular Upload
Classics, future Hall of Famers, knockouts, submissions—every fight from Eternal MMA 1 is uploaded for your viewing pleasure!