Eternal MMA 2024 Awards

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on an incredible 2024 season of Eternal MMA. From unforgettable fights to standout performances, this year has delivered moments that will be etched into MMA history. Our annual awards celebrate the fighters, their achievements, and the stories that captivated fans across Australia and beyond. Here are the highlights from a year of excellence inside the Eternal cage.

FIGHT OF THE YEAR 2024 🏆

Kevin Kophamel VS Harry Webb – Eternal 87

A fight for the ages! With a whirlwind of drama behind the scenes leading up to this fight, Kevin Kophamel and Harry Webb delivered an unforgettable battle at Eternal 87 that had the HBF Stadium crowd on their feet. After five gruelling rounds, Harry Webb claimed the vacant lightweight title, but both fighters earned the respect and admiration of fans worldwide.

KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR 🏆

Khan Deatta – Eternal 82

In just the fourth minute of the first round, Khan Deatta unleashed a devastating elbow that left Jong Hwan Lee out cold. This highlight-reel finish kicked off Khan’s incredible 2024 season, which saw him rack up three consecutive KO/TKO wins. A pure display of power and precision!

SUBMISSION OF THE YEAR 🏆

Luke Dally – Eternal 84

With a twister submission against Sydney West’s Jordan Thomas in the second round, Luke Dally showcased his creativity and skill at Eternal 84. Proving why he’s a top contender in the lightweight division, “The Diamond” shined bright with this unforgettable finish.

COMEBACK OF THE YEAR 🏆

Joseph Larcinese – Eternal 86

Behind on the scorecards and battered from three rounds of war, Joseph Larcinese refused to quit. With just 21 seconds left in the fight, he secured a dramatic rear-naked choke victory over Oden Muscat. A heart-stopping comeback for the undefeated flyweight in 2024!

BREAKTHROUGH FIGHTER 2024 🏆

Yusuke Sato – Lightweight

From his last amateur fight to a viral knee KO highlight featured on UFC Fight Pass, Yusuke Sato made waves in 2024. Representing Japan via Gold Coast, Australia, Sato’s clean finishes and magnetic charisma have cemented his status as Eternal MMA’s Breakthrough Fighter of 2024. A budding superstar in the making!

FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 🏆

Connor Birch – Bantamweight

After a three-year hiatus from MMA following his last amateur fight, Connor Birch made a thunderous entry into the professional ranks with Eternal MMA in 2024. Competing in the bantamweight division, “The Highlander” delivered two spectacular first-round knockouts. At Eternal 87, he stopped Lucas Grasseli in dominant fashion, and at Eternal 91, he landed a jaw-dropping walk-off KO in just 52 seconds. Spending only 4 minutes and 37 seconds inside the cage across both fights, Connor Birch’s dominance has earned him the title of Eternal MMA’s Fighter of the Year!

The 2024 Eternal MMA Awards shine a spotlight on the athletes who left it all in the cage, showcasing their skill, heart, and determination. As we look ahead to another action-packed year, we celebrate the legacy of these incredible moments and the fighters who made them possible. Here’s to a phenomenal 2025 season – we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Know Your Fighter: Jay Martin

Full Name:

Jay Martin

Age:

21

Where were you born:

Sydney

Where do you live:

Gold coast

Which gym do you train out of:

Cmbt

Who are your coaches:

Miles 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:

Rugby league switched to mma at around 8 years old

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

Around 15/16

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

Striking/sparring that’s pretty self explanatory.

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

My overall unpredictability

How would you describe your fighting style:

Relaxed & composed by also dangerous

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA, it’s unlike anything else

Who is your favourite athlete:

Conor McGregor, Jones, Oliveira.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Multiple

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Solidify myself into the eternal flyweight scene and to be the best.

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

Excitement, mystery

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Me getting my hand raised.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Make sure to use “Martin” at the checkout and tune in to watch me put on a show

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

@Jaymartinmma

Watch Jay Martin fight at Eternal MMA 91 on Saturday, November 30.

Know Your Fighter: Paiariki Cook

Full Name:

Paiariki Cook

Age:

24

Where were you born:

Christchurch

Where do you live:

Byron bay

Which gym do you train out of:

Byron Muay Thai- The Academy – CMBT

Who are your coaches:

Jared Flick Brentin Mumford Josh Schofield

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

Purple belt in Brazilian JuJitsu

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Professional skateboarder Triathlete

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

When I started to keep up with Oden in boxing Thalison soares in BJJ And Reece lighting in MMA sparring rounds

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

Sparring Reece on a Saturday, no opponent will make me feel that uncomfortable, comfortable in the uncomfortable

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

I will never give up, ever.

How would you describe your fighting style:

I’m ready to go anywhere

What is your favourite sport and why:

Anything that brings in chaos, that’s the only time I can find any sort of peace

Who is your favourite athlete:

Brad riddle

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Brad riddle

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Perform how I know I can perform – do well in this bout

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

A lot of noise from the crowd – and I fight not to be missed

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

I go for the kill 3rd round

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

These fight camps always bring everyone together, now all that is left is to get that win for us

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Insta – ridetheredhorse2.0

Watch Paiariki Cook fight at Eternal MMA 90 on Friday, November 29.

Know Your Fighter: Kye Bicknell

Full Name:

Kye Bicknell

Age:

23

Where were you born:

Perth, Subiaco

Where do you live:

Perth, greenwood

Which gym do you train out of:

KICKASS MMA

Who are your coaches:

Steve Kennedy Shaun spooner

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

Blue belt Brazilian jiujitsu

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Karate Footy Kickboxing Boxing

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

18 years old

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

Sparring day Because that’s when your able to practise certain movements and combinations in all aspects of martial arts.

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

Mindset and work ethic

How would you describe your fighting style:

Entertaining

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA Because there is nothing like seeing 2 humans go to war, nothing can compare 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:

Going Pro and becoming a top tier Professional MMA Fighter

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

A war

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Me defending his grappling and giving the fans what they truly paid to come see, a war.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Don’t blink

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Instagram- kye.bicknell

Watch Kye Bicknell fight at Eternal MMA 89 on Saturday, October 26.

Know Your Fighter: Julian D’Rozario

Full Name:

Julian D’Rozario

Age:

25

Where were you born:

Maine, NY

Where do you live:

Gosnells

Which gym do you train out of:

Luistro Combat Academy

Who are your coaches:

Romel Luistro

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

White belt

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Basketball, athletics, boxing & Muay Thai

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

Around late 2022 to early 2023

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

The grit & grind, gotta embrace those tough training sessions. My favourite session of the week would be Monday mornings wrestling & Muay Thai class

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

Cardio

How would you describe your fighting style:

Box and wrestle

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA, because I grew up watching it & it helped me get to where I am today

Who is your favourite athlete:

Kobe Bryant

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Nick Diaz

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Have as many fights as I possibly can and see where this game takes me.

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

An exciting fight

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Looking for the finish no matter what

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

I appreciate everyone at LCA & DirtySouth, all a bunch of good folks 👊🏾❤️

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Julian_finessin

Watch Julian D’Rozario fight at Eternal MMA 89 on Saturday, October 26.

Know Your Fighter: Moamen Hamdon

Full Name:

Moamen hamdon

Age:

19

Where were you born:

Iraq

Where do you live:

Perth wa

Which gym do you train out of:

Scrappy mma

Who are your coaches:

Ben Vickera/ Ryan gray

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

White belt

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Starting watching soccer as a kid and slowly moved to watching more combat sports instead

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

Since the first day i stepped into the gym

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

Don’t really have a favourite session I love every session I do

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

My cardio probably feel like I can put on a pace that no one can match

How would you describe your fighting style:

Mixed martial arts and pressure fighter

What is your favourite sport and why:

Has to be the one I’m doing for a living

Who is your favourite athlete:

Khabib

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Zabit

What are your immediate and long term goals:

To be the greatest bantamweight of all time

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

A long night for my opponent

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Feel like I’m going to dominate every second of the fight

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Get your tickets your not gonna want to miss this one

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Instagram- moamen_h TikTok – Moamenhamdon

Watch Moamen Hamdon fight at Eternal MMA 89 on Saturday, October 26.

Know Your Fighter: Laurence Whitesmith

Full Name:

Laurence Whitesmith

Age:

21

Where were you born:

England

Where do you live:

Willetton

Which gym do you train out of:

Scrappy mma

Who are your coaches:

Ben vickers,Ryan gray,Josh della, Braden Sweeney,Jack della.

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:

AFL cricket Scouts MMA

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

When I was 14

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

Sparring and pads because it gives me a chance to practice what we learnt last week and then review what needs improvement

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

Fitness, grappling, heart

How would you describe your fighting style:

Entertaining

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA because it’s the most interesting

Who is your favourite athlete:

Tom Brady

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

GSP

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Win this fight, win a few more at amateur. Then turn professional win a few fights then get that eternal belt. Then go all the way. To the UFC

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

High level skill

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

First round could be fireworks but I know my skill will take over and dominate

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

I love all of you.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

laurencemanchild on Insta

Watch Laurence Whitesmith fight at Eternal MMA 89 on Saturday, October 26.

Know Your Fighter: Amin Lorot

Full Name:

Amin Lorot

Age:

26

Where were you born:

South Sudan

Where do you live:

Perth, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:

Strike MMA

Who are your coaches:

Dave Johnson

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

White belt

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:

After first fight on eternal in 2019

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

Sparring, you can put together everything you’ve learned in an actual fight situation

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

Super Athletic, great genetics and natural instincts

How would you describe your fighting style:

Great at mixing striking and grappling, adapting to opponents strengths in a fight

What is your favourite sport and why:

Combat sports, they are the most entertaining

Who is your favourite athlete:

Cristiano Ronaldo

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Khabib Nurmagomedov

What are your immediate and long term goals:

Compete in many amateur competitions to build my self up and go pro

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

An entertaining fight from start to finish

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

A stoppage, by submission or knockout

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Thanks for the love and support this early in my career

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

instagram@ amin.longolio

Watch Amin Lorot fight at Eternal MMA 89 on Saturday, October 26.

Know Your Fighter: Paddy Cameron

Full Name:

Paddy Cameron

Age:

29

Where were you born:

Hamilton, New Zealand

Where do you live:

Perth

Which gym do you train out of:

Scrappy MMA

Who are your coaches:

Ryan Gray, Darcy Spowart

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

BJJ Blue Belt

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Rugby, Tennis, Basketball

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

Started training 3 years ago as a hobby. Became addicted to the process of getting better.

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

I enjoy Friday afternoon wrestling sessions for the suffering.

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

I enjoy out working people in training and in competition.

How would you describe your fighting style:

Pressure fighter

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA. It’s the purest form of competition.

Who is your favourite athlete:

Roger Federer

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Jack Della

What are your immediate and long term goals:

My goals is to finish my opponent in this fight, then continue to enjoy the process of becoming a better martial artist.

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

A high pace fight.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Second round finish by me.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Big shout out to my manager Mahir Patel

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

youngpbc – Instagram

Watch Paddy Cameron fight at Eternal MMA 89 on Saturday, October 26.

Know Your Fighter: Finn Rattigan

Full Name:

Finn Patrick rattigan

Age:

24

Where were you born:

England

Where do you live:

Sydney

Which gym do you train out of:

Australian top team

Who are your coaches:

Askhan and Suman mokhtarian

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

White belt

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

Rugby union and kick boxing

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

2 years ago

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

Sparring and punching on

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

My heart and grit

How would you describe your fighting style:

Exciting brawler

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA I love it

Who is your favourite athlete:

Connor McGregor

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

Connor McGregor

What are your immediate and long term goals:

To make the ufc

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

A banger of a fight

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

A finish whatever way I want

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

Tune in for fireworks

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Celtic.kid_att

Watch Finn Rattigan fight at Eternal MMA 88 on Saturday, September 14