Know Your Fighter: Markell Alaiasa

Full Name:
Markell Law Alaiasa

Age:
25

Where were you born:
Brisbane, Australia

Where do you live:
Brisbane, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Huia Martial Arts

Who are your coaches:
Jay Jay Te Huia, Hing Yiu Hing, Shaun Hale, Sabbath Smrecnik

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist?
Blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up?
Rugby league

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
January 2022 was when I started MMA, and from day one, I took it seriously. From the start, my intention has always been to become a world champion.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
I love that training keeps you honest. Only you know how much effort you put into the session or camp. If you took shortcuts when you should have been putting in work, you’ll know—either consciously or subconsciously. Come fight night, you’ll either be haunted by your effort or comforted by it.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My belief in God

How would you describe your fighting style?
Aggressively calculated

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA—because it’s the sport that will give me the future I prayed for.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Khabib. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest fighters to ever exist. More than that, he showed me that you can be one of the biggest stars in the world and still stay strong in your belief in God. You can have all the money in the world, but it won’t buy you character. You can have all the fame in the world and still stay true to your morals. You can be the baddest man on the planet, make a mistake—like jumping over the cage against McGregor’s team—and still be afraid of the consequences from your father when you get home. Khabib is a man to be studied, both in and out of the cage.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Khabib

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Immediate goal: Defeat Matty Iann, InshaAllah.
Long-term goal: UFC Champion, InshaAllah.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
Expect nothing and appreciate everything.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
I see my opponent coming in emotional, probably trying to fire himself up or even start something at weigh-ins, like last time. If he does, that just confirms I’ve already read his first move before we even fight. If he doesn’t, then I get a calm, controlled face-off. Either way, it’s a win-win. Once we’re in the cage, I see myself getting my hand raised.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Why did you doubt me?

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you on socials?
@4ke77

Watch Markell Alaiasa fight at Eternal MMA 94 on Saturday, March 15.

Know Your Fighter: Aidyn Gould

Full Name:
Aidyn Gould

Age:
18

Where were you born:
Brisbane

Where do you live:
Brisbane

Which gym do you train out of:
Team Compton

Who are your coaches:
Steve Compton, Elliot Compton, Jayden Binnie

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up?
Rugby league, rugby union, soccer

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
After my rugby season ended at 13, I wanted to do something more thrilling and risky. Then I watched Conor McGregor vs. Cowboy Cerrone live and fell in love with the sport.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring day—finally getting to put together all the tools I’ve learned throughout the week.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My greatest strengths are my explosiveness and my killer instinct—when I smell blood, I will find the finish.

How would you describe your fighting style?
Very explosive, whether it’s shooting for a takedown or landing a calf kick.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA—nothing beats it. No other sport is like it.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Ray Lewis

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Ilia Topuria

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Immediate goal: I want to be the number one ranked amateur featherweight by the end of the year.
Long-term goal: To be the greatest fighter to ever live.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
Extremely high-level MMA grappling along with great use of the calf kick.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
I will finish this fight. There’s not a single area in that octagon where my opponent is better than me.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Don’t be nervous—always have faith that I will win.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you on socials?
Instagram: @aidyngouldmma

Watch Aidyn Gould fight at Eternal MMA 94 on Saturday, March 15.

Know Your Fighter: Gordon Reale

Full Name:
Gordon Reale

Age:
25

Where were you born:
Australia Gold Coast

Where do you live:
Australia Gold Coast

Which gym do you train out of:
CMBT Training Centre

Who are your coaches:
Mile Muecke

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Soccer, rugby, dancing

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
I always wanted to do this professionally when I was a teenager, but when I was 21, I decided to quit my full-time chef career and fully pursue this passion that I love.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
My favourite session is sparring because who doesn’t love punching their mates in the face?

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My faith in God

How would you describe your fighting style?
I’m a hybrid fighter. It changes for every fight, adapting to my opponent.

What is your favourite sport and why?
Boxing, but mostly from the defensive side—when fighters have beautiful head movement and footwork.

Who is your favourite athlete?
GOAT: Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson
Most entertaining fighter to watch: Dan Hooker for sure.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
GOAT: Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson
Most entertaining fighter to watch: Dan Hooker for sure.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Immediate goal: To turn pro this year and go on the DWC.
Long-term goal: To be remembered.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
Non-stop action.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
I have so much respect for Jordan and what he has done and achieved, but this fight will be a war. Blood will be spilled, and it will be a 3/3 round sprint. But I will be dominant, I will be in control, and I will get my hand raised on March 15.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Do not be surprised when my hand gets raised.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you on socials?
Instagram: @greale98

Watch Gordon Reale fight at Eternal MMA 94 on Saturday, March 15.