Know Your Fighter: Nicholas Liaris

Full Name:
Nicholas Liaris.

Age:
23.

Where were you born?
Australia.

Where do you live?
Punchbowl.

Which gym do you train out of?
Lions Den Academy.

Who are your coaches?
Luke Pezzutti.

What belts or rankings do you currently hold as a martial artist?
White Belt in BJJ.

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?
About a year and a half ago.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
(Not specified.)

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
(Not specified.)

How would you describe your fighting style?
MMA fighter.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA — I love violence.

Who is your favourite athlete?
(Not specified.)

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Me.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Break teeth.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
Broken jaws and broken teeth.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
Stoppage.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Appreciate the love and support.

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @nick_liaris
TikTok: @nicholasliaris

Watch Nicholas Liaris at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Aidyn Gould

Full Name:
Aidyn Gould.

Age:
18.

Where were you born?
Brisbane, Australia.

Where do you live?
Brisbane, Australia.

Which gym do you train out of?
Team Compton.

Who are your coaches?
Steve Compton, Jayden Binnie, Dom Mar Fan.

What belts or rankings do you currently hold as a martial artist?
Blue Belt.

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up?
Rugby league and rugby union.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
The first day I walked into the gym at 14, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
8oz sparring — that’s where I grow the most.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My explosive ability, which I use for double legs, and my ability to dictate whether the fight stays standing or goes to the ground.

How would you describe your fighting style?
I’m like a backpack that can’t be taken off.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA, of course — it’s a solo sport. If you lose, that’s on you.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Ilia Topuria.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Jean Silva.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
I want to have a couple more fights, then turn pro by the end of the year.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
They should expect not to see the judges — it’s not going the distance.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
Round 2 submission.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
The result has already been decided — just have faith.

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @aidyngouldmma

Watch Aidyn Gould at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Joseph Bird

Full Name:
Joseph Bird.

Age:
24.

Where were you born?
Essex, England.

Where do you live?
Fremantle.

Which gym do you train out of?
Scrappy MMA.

Who are your coaches?
Ryan Gray, Ben Vickers, Will Zwaan.

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?
Tennis, then started MMA.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
The day I walked out of Scrappy after my first session — I knew I wanted to become a professional MMA fighter.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
Everything. I love the entire process.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My mindset, cardio, strength, and ability to absorb information.

How would you describe your fighting style?
Mixed martial arts — I aim to be well-rounded in all areas.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA — nothing else compares.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Marab Dvalishvili.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Sharra Bullet.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Become Eternal featherweight champion, defend it a few times, then smash a fool on Dana White’s Contender Series.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
That in five years, when I’m on the big stage, they’ll be able to say, “Yeah, I watched him back in the day when he was amateur.”

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
My hand getting raised.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Enjoy the show.

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @josephbirdmma

Watch Joseph Bird at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Perry Smith

Full Name:
Perry James Smith.

Age:
22.

Where were you born?
Sydney.

Where do you live?
Bondi, Sydney.

Which gym do you train out of?
Igor MMA.

Who are your coaches?
Igor Breakenback.

What belts or rankings do you currently hold as a martial artist?
Technically still a white belt, but I compete at blue belt level and above.

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up?
I did karate for a little while when I was younger and started training kickboxing at 14.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
I took MMA seriously before I even started training it. I moved out of home — and out of the country — at 16 to pursue it. Up until then, I had only trained kickboxing.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
Sparring — so I can punch Shai Krimotat in the head.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
Even when things aren’t going well, I stay composed and find a way out. I don’t get overwhelmed, and I don’t get too excited when things are going my way either.

How would you describe your fighting style?
Bull in a china shop.

What is your favourite sport and why?
K-1 kickboxing — I love the exchanges and the combinations.

Who is your favourite athlete?
I wouldn’t say I have one favourite athlete.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
There are a lot of guys I look up to and try to learn from — Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski are two of the main ones.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Immediate: win this fight and move on to the pro ranks.
Long-term: reach my full potential in this sport and become the best fighter I can be — wherever that takes me.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
A cracker of a fight.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
A cracker of a fight.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
I’m in a place now where I’m truly grateful for the people around me. The support from my gym and everyone who helps me means so much — I feel it every step of the way.

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @perry.jamesprivate

Watch Perry Smith at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Chivorn Nim

Full Name:
Chivorn Nim.

Age:
24.

Where were you born?
Cambodia.

Where do you live?
Logan.

Which gym do you train out of?
The Fight Centre.

Who are your coaches?
Ben Johnston, Nakia Melody, and Uncle Des.

What belts or rankings do you currently hold as a martial artist?
I’m a Blue Belt in BJJ and currently ranked #102 in the bantamweight division in Australia and New Zealand.

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up?
I didn’t really have one specific hobby, but I was into mountain biking, riding scooters, and playing rugby at school occasionally.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
From the moment I started training, it was never just a side hobby — it was something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. The day I stepped into TFC, my coach Ben saw potential in me. That’s when I really started to believe I could make a career out of this.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
Definitely Wednesday evening sparring and Saturday morning sparring.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My athleticism, strength, speed, and fight IQ.

How would you describe your fighting style?
Like a game of chess — precise and calculated.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA and boxing. I see them as more than just violent sports — there’s an art to it, a beauty in the craft.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Conor McGregor and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Floyd Mayweather, Canelo Alvarez, Sean O’Malley, Petr Yan, and Ilia Topuria.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
To make it to the UFC before my 30s, make a living out of it, become a UFC champion, retire with my belts, open my own gym, have a farm, and live happily ever after.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
An entertaining fighter with real skill — and a great talker on the mic.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
I see myself finishing this fight by KO, TKO, or even submission.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Big thanks to all my coaches, friends, family, and everyone coming out to watch. Stay tuned — it’s going to be a banger of a night for TFC!

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @chivorn_01
Facebook: Chivorn Nim

Watch Chivorn Nim at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Jon Aiello

Full Name:
Jon Aiello.

Age:
26.

Where were you born?
Australia.

Where do you live?
Gold Coast.

Which gym do you train out of?
The Fight Centre (TFC).

Who are your coaches?
Ben Johnston and Darcy Vendy.

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?
Musical theatre — I played the lead in every production I was part of, both in and out of school. I was also the lead singer in a band. I played rugby for a bit too, but I was just too small.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
In 2021, as a white belt, I guillotined a brown belt in BJJ class. That moment made me realise I wanted to pursue fighting. I started training MMA the same year. After meeting Darcy, I knew I could take the sport all the way. We didn’t properly train together until after my first fight, but from then on he basically took control of my skill development and fighting career — until we both moved to TFC.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
Wrestling. There’s nothing better than physically exhausting yourself while mixing technique with explosiveness — all without the risk of concussing your teammates. Plus, let’s be real… you’re just sweaty and rolling around with your mates. Name something better.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My boxing and wrestling. My hands are fast, sharp, and hard. I’m smart — a young Michael Chandler with a bigger vision. I’m going to the top. 📈

How would you describe your fighting style?
My pace and pressure are unlike anything my opponents have felt. Once I get going, I’ll melt anyone standing in front of me at bantamweight.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA — it’s literally the only sport worth watching. Once you decide that watching simulated murder is fun, how are you meant to go back to watching footy?

Who is your favourite athlete?
Ilia Topuria.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Darcy Vendy.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Immediate: Knock this guy out, take one more amateur fight, then turn pro by the end of 2025 or start of 2026.
Long-term: Headline an Eternal card in Logan City — either fighting for or defending a title — before heading to the UFC.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
The best performance on the card. No one does it like Daddi.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
Perry is skilled, aggressive, and game — probably the kind of guy I’d be mates with if we weren’t fighting. But it sucks for him… I’m going to knock him out.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Anyone who knows me knows how much I value the support and love from my friends, family, and fans. The best way I can repay everyone who believes in me is by showcasing the best version of myself. I’ll do it for them, for TFC — and most of all, for LOGAN CITY BABY!!!

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @daddi_ravioli_mma
YouTube: Time2Invest
Spotify: Gas In The Tank MMA Podcast

Watch Jon Aiello at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Dallas Denniss

Full Name:
Dallas Denniss.

Age:
26.

Where were you born?
Darwin, Australia.

Where do you live?
Sunshine Coast.

Which gym do you train out of?
Combat Lab.

Who are your coaches?
Joel Szepesvary.

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?
Kyokushin Karate and basketball.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
Four years ago, after going through a rough patch in life and deciding I needed a change.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
I love drilling — whether it’s striking or BJJ. I like getting a movement to flow naturally, to the point where it feels instinctive.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
I’m my biggest critic. I’ve never left the cage thinking I’ve done enough — in my mind, there’s always something to improve. That mindset is why I believe I can be great one day.

How would you describe your fighting style?
Every time I step in the cage — win or lose — I’m a different and improved fighter. I’ve blended my karate base with strong BJJ skills and counter-wrestling. Now I’m focused on levelling up my boxing. It’s a lifelong process to become a complete mixed martial artist.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA and boxing — we’re modern-day gladiators.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Demetrious Johnson.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
To get better.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
I’ve never had a boring fight. I’m always improving, so expect each fight to be better than the last.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
I’m going to be fast and sharp.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Thank you for the support — I couldn’t do it without you.

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @daldimadome

Watch Dallas Denniss at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Imantha Alahakoon

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.

Know Your Fighter: Max Davidson

Full Name:
Max Davidson.

Age:
21.

Where were you born?
Bathurst, Australia.

Where do you live?
Logan City.

Which gym do you train out of?
The Fight Centre.

Who are your coaches?
Ben Johnston, Nakia Melody, Dez Maea.

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?
Played a little bit of rugby.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
When I was about 17.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
My favourite aspect of training is improving every day, and my favourite session is definitely sparring.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
My willingness to learn and my drive to be the best.

How would you describe your fighting style?
Calculated violence.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA – because I do it every day and just love it.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Jon Jones.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Jon Jones.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
Immediate goals: finish this fight, then back it up in June. After that, keep fighting, keep winning, then go pro.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
Fans should expect a banger of a fight – whether it’s a stand-in-the-middle-and-trade like my last fight or a technical clinic.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
I’m going to come out and be in complete flow. I’ll hit him with my whole arsenal, and he won’t be able to withstand the pressure – he’ll crumble.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
Thank you to everyone who is coming out and supporting. Logan City, baby – no one does it like us.

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @maxdavidsonmma

Watch Max Davidson fight at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.

Know Your Fighter: Richmond Butafa

Full Name:
Richmond Butafa.

Age:
26.

Where were you born?
Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Where do you live?
Logan, Queensland, Australia.

Which gym do you train out of?
The Fight Centre Brisbane (TFC).

Who are your coaches?
Ben Johnston, Nakia Melody, Dez Maea.

What belts or rankings do you currently hold as a martial artist?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt.

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up?
Basketball and soccer.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession?
2023.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why?
Saturday sparring is my favourite because our group of amateurs gets to mix it up with the pro athletes at our gym. We get solid rounds and valuable feedback from them.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter?
Grappling.

How would you describe your fighting style?
Grappler.

What is your favourite sport and why?
MMA grappling – because it combines the fun of Jiu Jitsu with the wrestler’s mindset of not staying on your back.

Who is your favourite athlete?
Stephen Curry (NBA).

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete?
Charles Oliveira.

What are your immediate and long-term goals?
To fight as much as possible to gain experience and reps. I also want to be a good training partner for the younger athletes at the gym, as they have the time and mindset to make it to the UFC one day. My long-term goal is to become a professional fighter.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect?
A chill guy.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out?
Getting the win.

A final message to any friends, family, and supporters:
None.

Where can fans and supporters find you on social media?
Instagram: @richie_butafa
Facebook: Richie

Watch Richmond Butafa fight at Eternal MMA 95 on Saturday, May 3.