Full Name:
Imantha Alahakoon.
Age:
32.
Where were you born?
Sri Lanka.
Where do you live?
Brisbane.
Which gym do you train out of?
Team Compton Training Centre.
Who are your coaches?
Steve and Elliot Compton.
What belts or rankings do you currently hold as a martial artist?
Blue Belt in BJJ.
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up?
Taekwondo for a few years as a kid.
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
I started MMA in 2015 with the intention of getting fit and using it as cardio. Then I really started getting into it. After my first fight, I had a few injuries and life got in the way. Then COVID hit, and training came to a complete halt. I had my second fight two years later, but another wave of lockdowns followed.
It’s been a tricky road juggling a high-level, high-stress job, trying to maintain some form of life, and fitting training into the mix. But for the last 6–7 months, I’ve been taking it seriously with the goal of getting back in the cage and gaining as much experience and exposure as possible.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
The mental side of things. Knowing you’re going into a pro session where you’re probably going to get merked, but coming out the other side — it makes handling everyday life easier when you’re not getting the crap kicked out of you.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My ability to stay calm under pressure, my heart, and my willingness to go into the fire.
How would you describe your fighting style?
I like to mix it up. Stand-up is my bread and butter, but I’m not afraid to wrestle or grapple. I tend to counter-strike, but I also enjoy applying pressure and walking through strikes to land my own.
What is your favourite sport and why?
Isle of Man TT (motorbike racing). The courage it takes to go full throttle on what is essentially a death machine through streets (not even a track!) is insane. It takes a level of confidence and fearlessness that’s just wild.
Who is your favourite athlete?
Michael Dunlop – the guy lost his uncle, dad, and brother and still keeps racing. That’s pure commitment to the sport.
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Dan Hooker. He brings it every time, always ready for a hard scrap, and his attitude is gangsta.
What are your immediate and long-term goals?
My immediate goal is to get my record into the positive, take as many fights as I can this year, and go pro. I’ve never been the most athletic person — I actually hated sports when I was young — so becoming a professional fighter would be the coolest thing ever.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
A scrap. It might not be the most technical fight, but I’ll throw it all on the line.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
I don’t think it’ll be an easy fight, but I see myself getting the finish by Round 2.
A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Thank you for supporting me in this crazy sport and believing in me, even when I don’t always believe in myself. It means the world.
Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @iamiman__
Watch Imantha Alahakoon at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.
