Know Your Fighter: Kevin Kophamel

Full Name:
Kevin Kophamel

Age:
24

Where were you born:
South African / Irish

Where do you live:
Perth

Which gym do you train out of:
Wolves Den Perth

Who are your coaches:
Steven Walton

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Taekwondo and Rugby

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I began MMA as a hobby in Ireland and fought multiple times. Once I moved to Australia, I began my fighting career as a potential profession.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Learning new skills — growing and evolving as both an individual and a fighter is rewarding. Plus, Shark Tanks are tough.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
I strive to be well-rounded physically, but my faith and mentality are my biggest strengths.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Exciting.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — it’s so complex and versatile that you could train your whole life and still have more to learn.

Who is your favourite athlete:
I don’t have one.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
I don’t have one.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To fight my heart out and see where God takes me.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
“I’d like it if it made them go oooooooooooh.”

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I have no idea.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you so much to everyone. You’re always helping me, and I’m honoured to represent.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @kevin_kophamel

Watch Kevin Kophamel fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Adam Lawrence

Full Name:
Adam Lawrence

Age:
30

Where were you born:
Perth, WA

Where do you live:
Fremantle, WA

Which gym do you train out of:
Scrappy MMA

Who are your coaches:
Ben Vickers, Ryan Gray, Josh Della

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Blue Belt in BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Boxing and Basketball

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Around 2023, after some big injuries and setbacks.

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

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

How would you describe your fighting style:
Clean and lethal.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Jack Della

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Jack Della

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Rack up pro wins and then make it to the UFC.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
KO.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you for all the support.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @lionlawrence

Watch Adam Lawrence fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Assane Sall

Full Name:
Assane Timur Sall

Age:
21

Where were you born:
New York

Where do you live:
Phuket

Which gym do you train out of:
Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA

Who are your coaches:
Frank Hickman, George Hickman, Brad Riddle, Alex Shield, Owen Livesey

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:
Track and field, Jiu Jitsu, Soccer

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Started BJJ as a kid and began training in MMA full time at 15 years old.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring — because I get to put everything together I’ve been working on, and it’s as close as I can get to actual fighting.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Work ethic, height and reach, strength and size.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Well-rounded and smooth. I can do everything, and I love to beat my opponent at what they are best at.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA, of course — but I love all sports. If I’m not training, I’m watching basketball, soccer, football, track, or tennis.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Some of my favourites are Usain Bolt, Novak Djokovic, Luka Dončić, Carmelo Anthony, and Erling Haaland.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Terrence Crawford and Naoya Inoue.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To make a successful pro debut. Now that I’m professional, I’m taking it one fight at a time, with all my focus on this fight.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Dominance — a one-sided beatdown and a beautiful display of martial arts.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I’m going to beat him up and damage him on the feet, stuff all his takedowns, take him down, and TKO him in the second round.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to everyone for the support as always. Enjoy the show!

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @assane_sall11
Instagram (Food): @timur_eats

Watch Assane Sall fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Champion: Philip Kim

Former Eternal Flyweight Champion – Philip Kim

As deep as the flyweight division is, it carries a rich history of champions that have come through Eternal MMA over the years. With the title vacant around 2017, the belt was once again up for grabs at Eternal 33.

The vacant championship was contested between New Zealand’s Brayden Graham and Australia’s Philip Kim. Brayden brought a résumé built on knockout power and a submission win over Paul Loga — credentials that made him a dangerous and worthy challenger.

Philip, on the other hand, began his career with one amateur win before stringing together three consecutive professional victories by various methods, earning his shot at the vacant title.

On May 5, 2018, the two met in the cage. Philip secured an early takedown and imposed his game plan, controlling the fight with relentless ground-and-pound, grappling pressure, and positional dominance across three rounds. He maintained top control, continually threatening a finish, and ultimately claimed victory on the judges’ scorecards to become the third Eternal flyweight champion.

That win marked Philip’s final fight on Australian soil. He went on to compete internationally, adding one more submission win before retiring undefeated as a professional with a perfect 5–0 record, including three finishes.

Today, Philip continues his martial arts journey as a coach at Origin Mixed Martial Arts in Sydney, where he passes on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of fighters.

Know Your Fighter: Steven Wong

Full Name:
Steven Wong

Age:
35

Where were you born:
Perth, Australia

Where do you live:
Perth, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Luistro Combat Academy

Who are your coaches:
Romel Luistro, Tom Barns, Cody Haddon

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Black Belt in BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Athletics and football

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Around 2019 onwards.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
I love sparring day because you can mix all aspects of your training in one, and there is no limit on the tools that can be used to win.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My ability to embrace pain and suffering. I can push through adversity, no matter how tough the situation gets.

How would you describe your fighting style:
I apply constant forward pressure, mixing clean boxing with solid wrestling.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — it’s the ultimate test of the body and mind. It’s “high-level problem solving with dire physical consequences.”

Who is your favourite athlete:
Michael Jordan, because he was incredibly passionate and fiercely competitive. He always pushed himself to be the best, never shied away from challenges, and turned his love for the game into relentless determination.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
I don’t have a single favourite combat sports athlete. I enjoy watching all fighters compete, observing how they implement their game plans, adapt strategies mid-fight, and overcome adversity to win.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To secure a dominant victory in my next fight, establishing myself as a top contender in my division.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
I’m here to fight and finish the fight — not to win a boring decision.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
This won’t go the distance. Either I’m getting KO’d or he’s going to sleep.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
I can’t control the outcome of the fight, but I can control my preparation — and I am prepared for war.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
@wongyyy

Watch Steven Wong fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Emmanuel Ritti

Full Name:
Emmanuel Ritti

Age:
25

Where were you born:
Sudan

Where do you live:
Perth, WA

Which gym do you train out of:
KICKASS MMA

Who are your coaches:
Steven Kennedy, Bon Tighe, Luke Johnston

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Rugby league, Taekwondo, Boxing, Soccer

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Started MMA in 2019 as a hobby, had my pro debut in 2021. In 2023, I knew I could build a name and future out of MMA.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Definitely MMA sparring because I get to try out everything I’ve been working on.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My boxing, grit, and the ability to cave skulls.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Stuff takedowns and punch heads clean off.

What is your favourite sport and why:
Shuffleboard 🙂

Who is your favourite athlete:
Me

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Me

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Fight, win, become champion of Eternal MMA.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
An early night with me standing over my opponent.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
KO/TKO early, via blunt force trauma.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
This won’t take long.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @mannyritti

Watch Emmanuel Ritti fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Brian Lim

Full Name:
Brian Lim

Age:
29

Where were you born:
Malaysia

Where do you live:
Perth

Which gym do you train out of:
Saltwater Jujitsu

Who are your coaches:
Oliver Barley, Aran Beab, Julian Giustiano

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Purple Belt in BJJ

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

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I began in 2023, starting as a hobby but quickly taking it seriously as a path forward.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Tuesday and Wednesday sparring days — I enjoy testing myself and sharpening my skills under pressure.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My ability to adjust.

How would you describe your fighting style:
It’s a wild style — a bit of everything mixed in.

What is your favourite sport and why:
Football — I grew up with it and it’s always been my passion.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Ray Lewis

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Roberto Durán

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To get through all my amateur fights and then pursue a professional career.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
It’ll be wild from start to finish.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thanks for everything.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @brian_limmy

Watch Brian Lim fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Tom Ackerly

Full Name:
Tom Ackerly

Age:
28

Where were you born:
Tasmania

Where do you live:
Tasmania

Which gym do you train out of:
Hybrid Training Centre

Who are your coaches:
Chris Drummond, Kahn Sandy, Rob Wilkinson

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Purple Belt in BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Rugby and Motocross

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I started training at 17 as a hobby, had a few amateur fights, and since 2021 I’ve seen it more as a career pathway rather than just a sport.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Wednesday wrestling class — I enjoy the high pace and pushing myself to hit takedowns even when exhausted.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My ability to keep emotions in check and my drive to win.

How would you describe your fighting style:
A jack of all trades but a master of none — I embody what MMA is: a true mixture of martial arts.

What is your favourite sport and why:
Enduro motorbike riding — I love the thrill of a tough trail and testing myself.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Rich Froning

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Darren Till

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To take the fights that come my way. I know this isn’t an old man’s game and I have plans to start a family soon, so for now I’m going with the flow and seeing what comes.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I don’t believe in easy fights — I haven’t had one yet. I expect him to throw everything at me, and I plan on doing the same.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to anyone who has supported me along the way.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
I’m a bit of a ghost on socials.

Watch Tom Ackerly fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Luke Dally

Full Name:
Luke Dally

Age:
29

Where were you born:
Ballarat, Victoria

Where do you live:
Ballarat, Victoria

Which gym do you train out of:
Infinite MMA

Who are your coaches:
Head Coach: John Campbell
Strength & Conditioning: Nick Monckton

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Brown Belt in BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Football (AFL)

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I started training as a hobby at 19, then decided to pursue it as a career in my early twenties once I had a few wins under my belt.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Hard sparring. It’s the best way to test and apply the tools developed in training or fight camp, and it’s the closest thing to an actual fight.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My gas tank, grappling pressure, back control, and fight IQ.

How would you describe your fighting style:
I’m a well-rounded fighter with a high fight IQ, a strong gas tank, and an unrelenting will to win.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — because it’s the sport I’ve chosen to pursue as a career.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Max Holloway right now, but all-time it would be Georges St-Pierre.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Max Holloway right now, GSP of all time.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
My immediate goal is to climb the ranks of the lightweight division in Australian MMA. Long-term, I want to cement myself as one of the greatest fighters to ever come out of Australia.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
High-level technical ability, the potential to finish a fight anywhere, anytime, and brutally honest words on the mic.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I see myself putting on a technically dominant display wherever the fight goes and having my hand raised.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and stood by my side from the beginning.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @Diamonddallymma

Watch Luke Dally fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Michael Alsop

Full Name:
Michael Alsop

Age:
29

Where were you born:
Australia

Where do you live:
Ballarat

Which gym do you train out of:
Infinite MMA

Who are your coaches:
John Campbell

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Blue Belt in BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Boxing and Kickboxing

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
At 22.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Getting 1% better every day. My favourite session is Friday night sparring because I look forward to testing the techniques we’ve learned during the week and applying them in sparring.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My cardio and my boxing.

How would you describe your fighting style:
I apply heavy pressure and love to make it a fast-paced, action-packed fight that fans enjoy.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — because it’s the sport I understand the most and excel at. Outside of that, I also enjoy watching rugby and the NBA.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Arturo Gatti

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Arturo Gatti

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
My immediate goal is to make my pro debut and finish with a win. Long-term, I want to be the best dad I can be and give my daughter a role model to be proud of.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
A good fight and a never-back-down attitude.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I see neither of us taking a step backwards. Both of us will bring pressure and stick to our game plans. Fight of the night guaranteed.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
I love you, Winona and Aaliyah.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @whatsupalsop

Watch Michael Alsop fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.