In its inaugural year in Geelong, Eternal MMA delivered not one, but two events within ten weeks. Returning to Geelong Arena for the second time in 2026, the organisation marked its fourth event in Victoria, with an Eternal MMA championship belt on the line.
Despite going head to head with a Geelong Cats game on August 22, Eternal 109 broke Victorian records for both the highest attendance and the largest gate in Eternal MMA history.
The event was headlined by between Geelong’s Sam Marles and Brisbane’s Loni Filimoehala for the vacant Eternal MMA Welterweight Championship. The title was previously held by former Eternal champion and UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.
The contest had everyone on the edge of their seats, with both welterweights showcasing high level grappling and striking across five rounds. After a closely contested fight, the judges awarded the victory and the championship belt to Sam Marles.
Broadcast globally on UFC Fight Pass, the main card featured a stellar lineup of interstate clashes, with some of Australia’s best fighters taking on Victoria’s rising talent.
Geelong hometown favourite and BJJ icon Max de Been delivered a dream MMA debut, securing a legacy-defining first round submission victory over a tough Japanese opponent. Jett Fisher also returned to the winner’s circle with an impressive submission win. The support was evident with the roaring crowd celebrating at the sold-out arena.
The event also highlighted the growing recognition of Australian MMA at government levels. Several Australian Members of Parliament attended Eternal 109, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who was also there to support his son Sam in the main event. Their attendance demonstrated meaningful support for the sport and its continued growth in Victoria.
UFC fighters Jonathan Micallef and Kaan Ofli were also in attendance to support their teammates and recognise the local MMA scene that continues to develop athletes for the international stage. Their presence highlighted the strength of the pathway between Eternal MMA and the UFC.
Making It Count
Every person inside Geelong Arena contributed to a record-breaking night for Eternal MMA in Victoria.
Attendance increased more than 22 per cent from Eternal’s first Geelong event to its second. At Eternal 109, an exceptional 63.01% of spectators travelled from other parts of Victoria outside Geelong, while 3.17% travelled from interstate or overseas.
Eternal’s continued partnership with Geelong Arena also received outstanding feedback, particularly for the venue’s hospitality and event facilities.
“From the Geelong Arena’s perspective, it’s fantastic to see the venue packed with passionate MMA fans. There is a real energy and atmosphere when the Arena is full, and Eternal MMA has shown that there is a strong appetite for major combat sports events in Geelong. Seeing thousands of people coming through our doors, enjoying the event and creating that atmosphere is exactly what we want the Geelong Arena to be about. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for events of this scale and look forward to seeing Eternal MMA continue to grow in Geelong.” – Jack Huxtable, Geelong Arena Venue Coordinator
Working closely with the Victorian Combat Sports Commission, Eternal’s unparalleled matchmaking brought together some of the best emerging and established talent from across Australia.
Of the 24 fighters competing, 15 represented Victoria. The card featured six amateur and six professional bouts, delivering eight finishes. These included three submissions and five TKOs, with three fights ending in the opening round.
Eternal 109 was another major step forward for the Australian organisation in Victoria. The event set new records, crowned a hometown champion and created lasting moments for Australian MMA.
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Eternal 113 is scheduled for November 28 as the third outing in Geelong and the final event for the 2026 calendar. Tickets are on sale now.