Champion: Steve Erceg

Former Eternal Flyweight Champion — Steve Erceg

A debut at Eternal 18 in 2016 showed the potential of what Steve “AstroBoy” Erceg would become, a winner in every aspect, a future Eternal champion, and the first Eternal champion to contend for a UFC world title.

On a four fight win streak with three consecutive finishes Steve earned a title shot at Eternal 52 in 2020. Within one round, he dropped the champion Shannon Ross, took mount, unleashed heavy ground-and-pound, and secured a rear-naked choke at 4:28 to become the new champion.

Fast forward one year, Steve moved up a weight class to face Cody Haddon (now a UFC bantamweight) in what became one of the greatest fights in Western Australian MMA history. In front of a home crowd, the pair went five rounds in a thrilling main event, earning a standing ovation with the result in Steve’s favour.

Riding a seven fight win streak that included a title defence win, Steve was rumoured for a UFC call up. To stay active, he headlined Eternal 73 in 2023 against Soichiro Hirai the night before UFC 284. A first round rear-naked choke win impressed UFC brass, he was signed right there and then in the locker rooms.

Four months later, he won his debut at UFC 289 against David Dvořák as well as a Performance bonus. He followed up with a win over Alessandro Costa, then another Performance bonus with a highlight-reel knockout of Matt Schnell.

Riding an 11 fight win streak, Steve earned a shot at the UFC Flyweight Title against Alexandre Pantoja, making history for Eternal MMA. On May 4, 2024, he went five rounds against the reigning champion, taking the fight to him from start to finish. Steve pushed the champion to his limits, showcasing elite skill, composure and heart. Though narrowly falling short on the scorecards, fans and critics alike praised his performance, a defining moment proving he belonged among the world’s best.

One of Western Australia’s finest exports, Steve continues to inspire his gym and community and it’s only a matter of time before he’s fighting for a world title once again.

Career Snapshot
Former Eternal Flyweight Champion (2020–2021)
1 Title Defence
8 Eternal Appearances (amateur and professional)

(c) Jake Rotham

Know Your Fighter: Jay Martin

Full Name:
Jay Martin

Age:
22

Where were you born:
Sydney

Where do you live:
Gold Coast

Which gym do you train out of:
Shindo Newbreed

Who are your coaches:
Kerry Dunne

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.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
At 16 years old.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Everything — I love every part of the process.

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

How would you describe your fighting style:
Versatile.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — it’s the ultimate test of skill, toughness, and willpower.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Tiger Woods, Jon Jones, Conor McGregor.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Conor McGregor.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To have a successful career and make a lot of money.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
A composed win.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Hope you enjoyed.

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

Watch Jay Martin fight at Eternal MMA 101 on Saturday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Cooper Martin

Full Name:
Cooper Martin

Age:
22

Where were you born:
Sydney

Where do you live:
Gold Coast

Which gym do you train out of:
Shindo Newbreed MMA

Who are your coaches:
Kerry Dunne

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
MMA.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
At 18 years old.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Everything — I love every part of it.

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

How would you describe your fighting style:
Different.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — it’s what I live for.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Ilia Topuria.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Myself.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Be the best.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Just another lesson to take away.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Love you all.

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

Watch Cooper Martin fight at Eternal MMA 101 on Saturday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Jake Lam

Full Name:
Jake Lam

Age:
21

Where were you born:
Penrith, Sydney

Where do you live:
Gold Coast

Which gym do you train out of:
Shindo New Breed

Who are your coaches:
Kerry Dunne

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
No belts — ranked 17th lightweight amateur in Australia/New Zealand.

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

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
At 19.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Striking is my favourite, but I’m finding a new love for wrestling at the moment.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Toughness, grit, and determination.

How would you describe your fighting style:
I like to pick my shots but can also put the pressure on.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — there’s no better sport.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Kobe Bryant.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Alex Pereira or Jack Della Maddalena.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Short-term: dominate everyone put in front of me.
Long-term: get the strap.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Me getting my hand raised.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I’m going to walk away with a first- or second-round finish — that’s how it’s going to play out.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you for your support — I’m going to put on a show for you all.

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

Watch Jake Lam fight at Eternal MMA 101 on Saturday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Baxter Pickering

Full Name:
Baxter Pickering

Age:
24

Where were you born:
Gold Coast, Australia

Where do you live:
Gold Coast, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Shindo New Breed

Who are your coaches:
Kerry Dunne

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Basketball during my early teenage years.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
About two years into consistent training, after earning my first fight win.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
MMA conditioning — it’s a mix of cardio and technique that really pushes me to my limits.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
I’ve always been drawn to jiu-jitsu since starting MMA — it’s an ocean of endless possibilities.

How would you describe your fighting style:
I’m very grappling-oriented, working toward a top-dominant style that incorporates both striking and control.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — speaks for itself.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Kobe Bryant — Mamba Mentality.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
It changes often, but I’m a big fan of Dan Henderson, Mark Hunt, and Carlos Condit.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Just to never stop. Nothing else pushes me like stepping into that cage.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
A hungrier, more determined version of myself — finishing this year off with a bang.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Knowing what defeat feels like at my lowest, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure I never feel that again.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Forever grateful to anyone who takes time out of their busy lives to support me — beyond appreciative.

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

Watch Baxter Pickering fight at Eternal MMA 101 on Saturday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Ash Bristow

Full Name:
Ash Bristow

Age:
19

Where were you born:
Mullumbimby, NSW

Where do you live:
Ocean Shores

Which gym do you train out of:
Chincogan Peak Martial Arts

Who are your coaches:
Isaac Tisdale, Cody Watego, Mat Stenner

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:
I played soccer growing up, but the first sports I really took seriously were Muay Thai and BJJ.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
After watching my cousin fight live, I got the itch to step into the cage myself and compete.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Getting humbled and tested by my training partners every day.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My willingness to learn and adapt to challenges in front of me.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Stubborn and determined.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — the mix of technique and violence has always been entertaining to me.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Oleksandr Usyk

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Tom Nolan and Quillan Salkilld

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
I see my next fight as a huge opportunity. I’m not looking too far past it, but hopefully it’s a stepping stone toward fighting regularly on Eternal.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
A guy with a big head who comes to fight with a well-rounded skill set.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I’ll probably just hold him against the cage, knee him in the thigh a couple of times, and win a 29–28 decision.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
I’m always fighting for you guys — you’ll forever be my biggest motivators. Come November 14th, I’ll put on a show for all of you.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @ash._.b2

Watch Ash Bristow fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Jayden Urban

Full Name:
Jayden Urban

Age:
25

Where were you born:
Sydney

Where do you live:
Sydney

Which gym do you train out of:
Integrated Combat Centre

Who are your coaches:
Mario San Giorgio, Mick Bazzi

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
White Belt in Jiu-Jitsu

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

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I started training kickboxing at 23 and MMA at the start of this year. I’ve only been in the game a short time, but I’m all in.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
I love the grind — anything mentally or physically challenging. Sparring is my favourite; I just love having a crack.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Definitely my mindset and self-belief.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Chaotic and too much to handle. I’m dangerous everywhere and hit like a truck — I know what I’m capable of.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — I love the art of violence.

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

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Ilia Topuria — I take a lot of knowledge from his style. I try to fight like that since I’m usually the shorter fighter.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
I’m coming to take heads and collect belts.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Fireworks — I’m too fast, too strong, and the best in the division.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I see myself getting a finish, but I’m more than prepared for a three-round war.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
You guys know me — I’m here to bang on. I love this shit.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @jayden.urban
TikTok: @jayden.urbann

Watch Jayden Urban fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Kane Rickus

Full Name:
Kane Rickus

Age:
35

Where were you born:
New Zealand

Where do you live:
Perth

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:
None

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

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
In Perth — every day became a chance to get better.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
The whole game. Every day is a day to improve.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Just love to fight.

How would you describe your fighting style:
“Crack-on” style — always pushing forward.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — the game is always evolving, and there’s always something new to learn.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Nil

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Nil

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To get a belt.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
A fight — grimey and grinding.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Grimey and grinding.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Nil

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

Watch Kane Rickus fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Josh O’Brien

Full Name:
Joshua Jay O’Brien

Age:
22

Where were you born:
Sydney, Australia

Where do you live:
Sydney, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Rival Gym Castle Hill

Who are your coaches:
Shane Parker, Carl Wang

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
White and Blue Belt State Champion in Jiu-Jitsu — 100% knockout rate in the first round.

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
NRL and fighting.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Around four years ago.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Shark tanks — I love being tested and swimming in deep waters.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My power, precision, and relentlessness.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Unpredictable, unconventional, and uncontrollable.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — I love the brutality and the freedom.

Who is your favourite athlete:
No one.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
No one.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Display pure brilliance and violence — put on a spectacle for the crowd and give them what they came for: blood and medical bills, while skyrocketing out of the local scene.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Broken bones and blood.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Domination everywhere — leading to a finish.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
You guys are amazing — I appreciate all of you. I won’t be denied now!

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @joshobrien11

Watch Joshua Jay O’Brien fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Oscar Marlow

Full Name:
Oscar Marlow

Age:
23

Where were you born:
Nottingham, England

Where do you live:
Sydney, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Modern Combat

Who are your coaches:
Zac Stanley

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:
Karate and soccer.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Started Muay Thai at 14, then picked up Jiu-Jitsu and MMA soon after. I knew I wanted to be a pro fighter since I was 15.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Love sparring and shark tank sessions — I enjoy the hard push at the end of the week. Recently, I’ve been loving the boxing and wrestling training too.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
High pace, great gas tank, and constant forward pressure. I work hard and always look to hurt the other guy.

How would you describe your fighting style:
High pace and violent.

What is your favourite sport and why:
Other than MMA, I enjoy watching K1 and Muay Thai — not really into other sports.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Michael Bisping — a great fighter who had a crazy path to becoming champion.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Michael Bisping, Max Holloway, and Georges St-Pierre.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Immediate goal: smash Tasar Malone.
Long-term goal: capture the featherweight title.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
A fun fight that doesn’t slow down — plenty of violence.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I’m going to put on a banger and finish Tasar — it’ll be the best fight on Eternal 100.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thanks for the support — tune in for Eternal 100.

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

Watch Oscar Marlow fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.