Eternal MMA sits down with Tasar Malone for a Q&A ahead of his professional debut at Eternal 74 against Tom Pratt.
Age:
26.
Where were you born:
I was born on the Gold Coast and grew up in Beechmont up in the sticks.
Where are you based now:
Bit of a tricky answer… but in my car! I saved up all my pennies and bought myself a van to live in out the front of the gym on the Gold Coast.
What gym do you train out of:
CMBT.
Who are your coaches:
The one’s leading from the front would be Miles Muecke, Jesse Yada, Glen Sparv, Brentin Mumford, James (Powell) and Darcy Vendy.
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist
I was lucky enough recently to be awarded my purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
I started off playing soccer as a young boy. I transitioned to AFL in my late teens and got close to getting drafted. That didn’t happen, but I believe everything happens for a reason. Now, I’ve found MMA.
When did you first decide to dedicate yourself to the sport of MMA:
When I was younger, even from five years old I was running around telling my parents that I was going to be a professional athlete and a great one at that. I always chased that belief because that was one of the first things that popped in to my mind and body as something that I wanted. As I said, I got close to the AFL, I was getting paid at a certain stage playing senior footy for a few weeks. I got lost a little bit for a couple months (before) I got introduced to mixed martial arts by a friend. After doing literally the first training session, I fell in love with the sport.
Favourite aspect of training:
I love it all. I look at it (like) there’s always something to learn – a never ending pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths as a mixed martial artist:
Two things: No ego – but I’m very coachable and a quick leaner. I love being told and taught things. Second thing would be my adaptability to situations and my mindset to always find a way out or find a way to get it done. “Self-determination”, I would say.
What can fans expect to see from you when you step foot inside the cage:
I tend to be a bit of a wild man! Whether it’s things like climbing cages, doing back flips, throwing everything into all my shots, takedowns – you name it. I used to be a bit all over the place; I’m trying to work on being a lot more structured and methodical with my approach. But I guess if I’m being me, I love being a wild untamed beast! (ha-ha) if that’s a way of putting it.
Can you compare your fighting style to any high level mixed martial artist:
My mindset on martial arts has always been that everybody is unique. Without having ego, I feel like I am my own (fighter), but the person I have always looked up to and wanted to (emulate) the most has always been George St-Pierre. Just the way he carries himself inside and outside the octagon; how he fights. I’d say he’s the person I’ve always wanted to follow in the footsteps of. But as I said, I want to be me and bring my own style and flavour.
Who would you consider to be some of your favourite combat sports athletes:
George St-Pierre.
Which fight do you consider to be your standout performance so far:
I’m not sure if I could pick one, but going off my last performance I believe I didn’t even get hit with a strike. I’ve had ten fights now and ‘touch wood’ – I haven’t even blead inside the (cage).
What are your goals for both the immediate and long-term future:
Short term is obviously this weekend. I’m very much someone who lives in the present moment. Tomorrow is never promised, so I just focus on what’s in front of me. We’ve put a lot of work into this coming weekend so I’m just focusing on that. Long term: I’m the type of person that will always aim for the stars and reach as high as I possibly can with the team that’s around me. If I continue showing up, putting in the work, dedicating myself and sacrificing for this, I believe that the Australian championship belt will be wrapped around my waist (before moving) on to bigger and better things.
How do you see yourself getting your hand raised at Eternal 74:
I am very much in the belief that it’s a fight at the end of the day and there are so many variables. I like to see everything in front of me in the rawness of the moment. If you give me a sniff of an opportunity, I’m willing to go one-hundred and ten percent to jump on that opportunity. Whether it’s on the feet with a shot, whether it’s ground and pound, TKO, or a submission.
A final message to your fans and supporters:
I used to be in the mindset that this is an individual sport, but it’s really not. I’m super blessed and grateful for not only my team that help support me to actually get in there and be on the playing field, but also all the messages of love and support from all the people like my friends, my family, my supporters and fans. I see it all, I feed off it. I’ve received a lot in this last week and it’s something that really reminds me of how many people are behind me. That spirit, that energy – I just carry that in there and I just feel untouchable. I love you all, I appreciate every single one of you. I’m super excited for this weekend and to go to battle with the entire army that’s behind me.
Eternal 74 main card can be viewed live and exclusive March 18th on UFC Fight Pass. Tickets can be purchased at www.eternalmma.com for anyone wishing to attend the event.
Australia’s No.1 flyweight (125 lbs) fighter, Stephen “Astroboy” Erceg (9-1 MMA) has signed
an exclusive multi-fight agreement with the UFC.
Last year Stephen was scheduled to have his audition for the UFC on the globally televised Dana White’s Contender Series, but due to visa issues he was unable to perform on the big stage and he headed back to Australia.
The resilience shown during this time is a testament to Erceg’s character, a man who is not only capable and confident inside the cage but continues to put in the work outside it and leaves little to chance in chasing his goals.
Over the weekend at Eternal MMA 73, Stephen added another victory to his resume with a slick first-round submission of Japanese fighter Soichiro Hirai (4-2 MMA). In what was expected to be a close contest “Astroboy” showed his ability to dominate on the ground and stop the fight early.
As he headed backstage, filled with adrenaline and heart pumping off a quick stoppage victory he did not expect the following events. Mick Maynard and Hunter Campbell, two of the senior executives at the UFC were waiting for him and he was offered a contract on the spot.
Courtney Hard Day, Rival Sports Management: “Steve had to overcome quite a few setbacks last year including well documented visa issues which kept him out of his Contender Series bout. The team at Rival Sports are thrilled that Steve is now where he deserves to be, fighting the best athletes in the biggest MMA promotion in the world.”
Cam O’Neill, Eternal MMA: “There is excitement in the air across Australian MMA and the future looks bright for Eternal MMA fighters. We are looking forward to more athletes following in the footsteps of Stephen Erceg and being given the opportunity to compete against the best in the world.”
Eternal 74 will be held at Southport Sharks, Gold Coast on March 18 with the two title fights. The welterweight strap is on the line with champion Kaleb Rideout(7-2) defending against Joseph Luciano (7-1). In the co-main, the Lightweight champion David Martinez (9-4) will be fighting Blake Donnelly (6-1). You can catch the main card action on UFC Fight Pass and the prelims free on the Eternal MMA YouTube.
Australia’s No.1 MMA Promotion, Eternal MMA are pleased to announce their partnership renewal with CMBT Nutrition for 2023 events season.
CMBT (pronounced “combat”) was established to provide combat athletes with the highest quality, most effective, banned substance tested, nutritional and sports supplementation possible.
The exclusive partnership with CMBT Nutrition will see Australia’s leading premium sports supplements brand activate major rights that includes octagon branding and bespoke digital content for social media and Eternal’s broadcast partnerships with UFC Fight Pass. CMBT will also provide Eternal MMA fighters with banned substance tested performance and recovery products before and during each bout.
CMBT Nutrition is developed by combat athletes, combat dietitians and sports scientists and was created as a vehicle to assist in an athletes performance, recovery and overall health. Every batch of CMBT is tested and qualified by HASTA, a WADA banned substance testing authority, meaning professional athletes and consumers can feel comfortable that what they are putting in their body is safe and the product will perform the function it is designed to perform.
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NEXT SHOW: ETERNAL MMA 73 will take place at HBF Arena, Perth on February 11, 2023 and will feature an AustralianFlyweight bout between Australia’s No.1 ranked flyweight, Stephen Ecerg and international newcomer, Soichiro Hirai.For all event and ticketing information visit, EternalMMA/events
Australia’s No.1 MMA Promotion, Eternal MMA are pleased to announce their partnership with MMA Fight Store for 2023 events season.
The exclusive partnership with MMA Fight Store will see Australia’s leading combat sports retailer activate major rights that includes event merchandising activations, presenting rights to the Prep Point and digital execution across Eternal’s broadcast partnerships with UFC Fight Pass.
Cam O’Neill, Eternal MMA Director: “Eternal MMA have a long standing friendship with MMA Fight Store. Their growth in recent years is a byproduct of the success of combat sports in the ANZ region and we’re delighted to be in a position to support MMA Fight Stores national foot-print of retail stores and ecomm presence”.
Established in 2011, MMA Fight Store has grown to become Australia’s largest supplier of mixed martial arts products and has travelled the world to secure the most exclusive and recognisable brands. MMA Fight Store prides itself on an inviting atmosphere and access to staff with high-level product knowledge. Now with four retail stores (Perth, Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane) and a national online presence, MMA Fight Store continues to establish themselves as the premium supplier of all things MMA.
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NEXT SHOW: ETERNAL MMA 73 will take place at HBF Arena, Perth on February 11, 2023 and will feature an AustralianFlyweight bout bout between Australia’s No.1 ranked flyweight, Stephen Ecerg and top Japanese prospect, Soichiro Hirai.For all event and ticketing information visit, EternalMMA/events
Australia’s No.1 MMA Promotion, Eternal MMA are pleased to announce their partnership with, Proper No. Twelve Irishwhiskey has been renewed for 2023 events season.
The exclusive partnership with Proximo Spirits will see Eternal support the growth of Proper No. Twelve across the Australia and New Zealand region, with major rights that include octagon canvas branding, presenting rights to Corner-Cam digital assets via Eternal’s broadcast partnerships with UFC Fight Pass and ESPN, venue presenting rights of the exclusive Proper No. Twelve VIP Champions Club and the inclusion of the Proper No. Twelve Performance of the Night recipients.
Cam O’Neill, Eternal MMA Director: “Eternal MMA are very excited to renew this partnership with Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. The inclusions of the Corner Cam and Performance of the Night rights further integrates the Proper No. Twelve and Eternal brands and supports Eternal in showcasing a better overall product to our fans and viewers.
Eternal MMA have continued their unprecedented growth and are Australia & New Zealand’s only legitimate national MMA promoter and will be promoting over ten (10) shows across Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and have featured some of the very best regional MMA talent, including UFC world champion prospects Casey O’Neill and Jack Della Maddalena and UFC newcomers in 2023, Jack Jenkins and Shannon Ross, who will feature on the UFC 284 card on February 12 in Perth at the RAC Arena.
Ben Vickers, Eternal MMA Director: “For Eternal to be in Partnership with Proper No. Twelve Irish Whisky is amazing. Eternal is built on hard work, passion and dedication. Joining forces with a whisky brand founded from the same values is exciting and we look forward to working closely with the Proper No. Twelve teams and watching both brands continue to grow in Australia”.
Proper No. Twelve combines all the attitude and values of the real Dublin within a balanced, smooth whiskey. Proper No. Twelve’s triple distilled Irish Whiskey is an ultra-smooth blend of golden grain and single malt with hints of vanilla, honey and toasted wood for a rich complexity, founded by Conor McGregor.
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NEXT SHOW: ETERNAL MMA 73 will take place at HBF Arena, Perth on February 11, 2023 and will feature an AustralianFlyweight bout bout between Australia’s No.1 ranked flyweight, Stephen Ecerg (8-1) and top Japanese prospect, Soichiro Hirai (4-1).For all event and ticketing information visit, EternalMMA/events
Eternal MMA sits down with Abdalla Biayda for a quick-fire Q&A ahead of his eighth professional fight at Eternal 73 against Alan Philpott.
Age:
27.
Where were you born:
I was born in a city in Sudan called Khartoum.
Where are you based now:
I live in Perth, Western Australia – in Bassendean near Morley
What gym do you train out of:
I train out of Kickass MMA in Morley.
Who are your coaches/main training partners.
The main team is (made up of) Steve Kennedy – the head coach. I also have a boxing coach – Bon. Also, my Muay Thai coach which is Oliver Olson. My strength and conditioning coach, that would be Luke Johnstone. Also, my Jiu Jitsu coach Scotty and my wrestling coach Tom Barnes.
Abdalla most recently picked up an impressive stoppage victory over Josh Kuhne at Eternal 72.
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
I’m a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue-belt – that happened after my recent bout when I submitted Josh Kuhne. Because I’ve been doing Jiu-Jitsu for two or three years, I never thought I was going to get the blue-belt. But after that fight that were like “hey, you’re kind of ready”. So, I got it.
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Believe it or not, I was terrible at all sports. I was no good at any sport. I am surprised that right now I am in a sport for a career. I was just terrible! I was just terrible at every single sport, so, I never tried. I did like basketball, but I was terrible at it. Now I’m in (MMA) as a career – life is weird.
When did you first decide to dedicate yourself to the sport of MMA:
After I won my first (professional) lightweight belt. I was just cruising with this career, to be honest. The reason why I stuck with it was because it really calmed my mind. When I started having a couple of bouts, started winning, started understanding myself, starting character building and started understanding about respect and discipline, it really worked for my mind. So, I just continued doing it. After I won my belt, I thought “I’m going to take this as far as I can”.
Favourite aspect of training:
I like doing ‘teeps’ in training. I do a lot of pad work with my Muay Thai coach. I realised it could be my ultimate weapon because of how long my legs are – they’re like spider legs!
Abdalla’s strengths lie in his cardio, and his length.
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths as a mixed martial artist:
I would say cardio. That helps me. I would say it’s my biggest strength.
What can fans expect to see from you when you step inside the cage:
I like throwing everything. I like being an artist. I like painting a painting. I like mixing it up, doing different things. But, in this fight, if he wants to grapple then you will see me grapple. But nobody has ever wanted to just grapple with me. They (usually) like to try and stand up with me, then they turn in to grapplers.
Can you compare your style to any high level mixed martial artist:
I would say Jon Jones and Rafael Fiziev. Also, Terrance Crawford’s boxing and switches. Put all three together, you got me.
Who would you consider to be some of your favourite combat sports athletes:
Rafael Fiziev and also Jonathan Haggerty from One Championship, I love his Muay Thai. I love that dude. (Also) DJ – Demetrious Johnson.
Which fight do you consider to be your standout performance so far:
I would say when I had my first (professional) lightweight fight. I was spot on with my striking, my movement, everything was just on point.
What are your goals for both the immediate and long-term future with mixed martial arts:
For my immediate future, my goal is to try a three-division champion in one promotion. It doesn’t matter what promotion it is; I don’t care. My long-term goal is to get into a big promotion like the UFC or any other promotions and try to be a three-division champion there as well.
Abdalla sees Triple Champ status in his future – no matter where he is.
How do you see yourself getting your hand raised at Eternal 73:
I don’t really envision those kinds of things. I don’t make predictions. I just go out there and give it my all and whatever happens, happens. If I fight hard, I know that good things will happen. But if I have to predict I’d say first round stoppage or knockout.
A message to the fans and your supporters:
All love, to be honest. My fans, people who have been supporting me, my friends, my family, the ones who have been with me from the start – I appreciate all of you. It’s just love. They have no idea how much I appreciate it.
Abdalla Biayda vs Alan Philpott for Eternal 73 can be viewed Saturday, February 11th live and exclusive on UFC Fight Pass. Fans can visit eternalmma.com to purchase tickets for Eternal 73.
As Australian combat sports primes itself for a highly promising 2023, Eternal MMA reflects on a year gone by in which so many positives came to fruition for the country’s leading mixed martial arts entity.
2022 was certainly a banner year for the Gold Coast based promotion. A year that saw incredible match-making lead to even better fights, highlight-reel finishes, new champions in several weight classes and former local stars find success on the international stage.
In total, Eternal MMA produced nine fight cards across the states of Queensland and Western Australia, visiting three different venues in the process including four shows at Eternals spiritual home – Southport Sharks.
During this run, Eternal MMA saw a total number of one hundred and fifteen fights take place across seven different weight classes for both professional and amateur athletes.
Of those fights, six new champions were crowned against one successful title defence across five divisions, with the lightweight belt changing hands to the challenger twice in the same year.
It would be in the very first event for 2022, however, that would see the championship-level cream rise to the top and prove their pedigree once again. In what would ultimately be his final fight inside the Eternal MMA cage, Jack Jenkins put on a five-round masterclass to retain his featherweight crown against the now Eternal MMA bantamweight champion – Rod Costa.
Jenkins put on a masterclass performance at Eternal 63.
A striking display of considerable virtuosity from Jenkins in the main event at Eternal 64 earned him not only his second title defence, but also a shot at a UFC contract as a contender on Dana White’s Contender Series; an opportunity that he would make good on with a decision win against his opponent.
The following event in May would see the Eternal 65 main event go down in history as one of, if not the greatest fights in Australian MMA history. With no belt on the line, Dimps Gillies and Josh Kuhne took centre stage in a three-round main event showdown that saw neither fighter concede ground until the final bell.
An onslaught of striking from both combatants left each of them battered and bruised at the fight’s conclusion, with Gillies ultimately getting his hand raised via decision.
While there could only be one winner, there were no losers as both fighters stock rose astronomically in the aftermath of the bloody war, earning themselves ‘Fight of the year’ honours for Eternal MMA.
Dimps VS Kuhne deservingly won the UFC Fight Pass AND the Eternal MMA Fight of the Year for 2022.
More impressively, the bout would also earn fight of the year accolades at the UFC Fight Pass awards show – a fine recognition for both athletes on the world stage and a further testament to the Eternal MMA match-making prowess.
Ahead at Eternal 66, a devastating injury to Jack Becker would see him lose his lightweight title to challenger Aidan Aguilera in the opening seconds of the first round. A broken leg suffered by Becker as the result of a checked kick by Aguilera saw the title change hands in jarring scenes, with Aguilera himself left feeling unsatisfied to win in such unfortunate circumstances.
It was a bitter blow for Becker. Seemingly on the verge of his own call-up to the UFC with another win on home soil, the former champion instead left to pick up the pieces during a lengthy rehab stint – A challenge he immediately faced head on with typically positive mindset.
Jarring scenes in the Main Event of Eternal 66.
Eternal 67 was staged as the scene to crown the successor to now UFC prospect Jack Della Maddalena’s vacated welterweight championship. Kaleb Rideout would emerge victorious in a five-round thriller against City-Kickboxing’s Kevin Jousset; a performance that would see Rideout establish himself as one of the country’s most exciting talents.
Punctuated by some highly unorthodox – yet highly effective techniques, Rideout orchestrated a high-octane striking performance to outlast a highly dangerous Judoka in Jousset in one of the most entertaining fights of the year, earning himself his first professional title win in the process.
The fans were on the edge of their seats at Eternal 67.
Rod Costa would use Eternal 68 as the table-setter for his eventual championship win at Eternal 71. Up-and-coming Victorian prospect Michael Mannu would face off against Costa in the main-event for what was viewed as a number-one contender match for the Eternal MMA bantamweight title.
Riding out the on-display kickboxing talents of Mannu for the first round and a half, Costa would eventually drag Mannu to the bottom of the lake to secure a second-round submission win – a signature guillotine finish for the former IBJJF worlds medallist.
The result would see Costa move on to challenge returning former Eternal MMA bantamweight champion Shaun Etchell for the title at Eternal 71. Doing what he does best, Costa weathered an early storm from Etchell and claimed an impressive comeback victory via rear naked choke submission in the second round. The victory would be a just reward for Costa’s decision to move down in weight class after an unsuccessful bid to capture the belt in his usual featherweight domain.
Costa finally realised his Championship aspirations at Eternal 71.
Sandwiched between the two aforementioned events, Eternal 69 would play host to Aidan Aguilera’s first title defence since capturing the belt at Eternal 66. Unfortunately for Aguilera, it would be a short-lived title reign.
Known for his superior grappling, the challenging David Martinez overwhelmed his fellow BJJ black-belt opponent to win via rear naked choke submission in the second round – his second reign as Eternal MMA lightweight champion now in full swing.
Martinez re-captured his Lightweight belt at Eternal 69.
The final event for 2022 would see the Australian leader play host to a pair of rematches in both the middleweight and featherweight divisions at Eternal 72.
In a rare circumstance, the two fighters in the middleweight title fight main event would square off again immediately after previously fighting each other at Eternal 69.
With their previous matchup a late notice catchweight bout, the rematch would see John Martin Fraser put his middleweight championship on the line in the main event against Mat Myers after besting him in their previous outing via decision.
This time around, however, Myers would square the ledger with a first round TKO– a devastating spinning back kick to the liver of Fraser ended the championship fight in the first round. For Myers, it would be his first title win in his first attempt at silver wear.
A first round TKO would secure the belt for Mat Myers.
The co-main event would also see a rematch with a championship belt on the line, though in contrast, this particular rematch was more than five years in the making.
Having previously been finished by Diego Pereira at Eternal 27 in 2017, Justin Van Heerden would also get revenge on his rival and former teammate to claim the featherweight championship left vacant by the departing Jack Jenkins – winning a hard-fought contest via decision at the bout’s conclusion.
The title belt around Justin Van Heerden’s waste would punctuate a stellar 2022 for the South African native – four wins in four fights would also earn him ‘fighter of the year’ honours under the Eternal MMA banner.
It was a run that saw Van Heerden finish all three of his opponents in 2022 in the lead up to his first title fight, with submission wins over Joshua Riley, Alan Philpott and Mohammad Alavi showcasing a level of growth as impressive as anybody can claim fighting in Australia today.
Van Heerden capped off an incredible 2022 with the Featherweight belt around his waist.
In conclusion, 2022 would see the following fighters end the year as a champion:
Bantamweight: Rod Costa.
Featherweight: Justin Van Heerden.
Lightweight: David Martinez.
Welterweight: Kaleb Rideout
Middleweight: Mat Myers.
New champions were crowned all throughout 2022.
It wasn’t just on home soil that major accomplishments were achieved. In a testament to the platform that Eternal MMA provides its athletes, several of its former fighters also found varying rates of success at an international level.
Certainly, from a competitive standpoint, it is no secret that Eternal MMA has consistently provided Australian MMA with the highest level of competition to its participants – giving each fighter who chooses to complete their fighting apprenticeship under its banner the best chance of preparing themselves for the big stage.
Former Eternal flyweight champion, Shannon Ross would earn himself a contract in the UFC via the route of Dana White’s Contender Series. In a fight that Ross would lose by decision, he still showcased more than enough for the UFC boss to award both himself and the winner a contact.
Ross would eventually be slated to make his debut at UFC 284 in Perth alongside fellow Australian DWCS contract winner – Jack Jenkins.
Staying with Australian DWCS alumni, former Eternal MMA middleweight champion Jack Della Maddalena put together a historic 2022 to remember. A three-fight winning streak to start his UFC career cherry-topped by three first-round finishes was enough to earn him both UFC and ESPN rookie of the year honours.
A true rising star of the sport, Della Maddalena burst on to the scene and captured the imagination of MMA fans all around the world, with many circles touting him as future contender for a UFC championship.
Former Eternal Welterweight Champion Jack Della had an incredible 2022 in the UFC.
Fans will also recall 2021 as the year that former Eternal MMA strawweight champion Casey O’Neill would break through and claim for herself the UFC rookie of the year title.
With Della Maddalena following O’Neill’s lead, it would make it two years in a row that two former Eternal MMA stars simultaneously went 3-0 to begin their UFC careers and go on to claim the award for rookie of the year – again making it hard to deny that Eternal MMA creates the best opportunities for Australian fighters to turn themselves into international success stories.
UFC Senior Vice President of Content, David Shaw, states the importance of having a ‘pathways of excellence’ to the UFC – Eternal MMA leading the way in the ANZ region.
With a monumentally impressive year in the rear-view mirror, Eternal MMA turns its attention to what promises to be an even better 2023, starting with a stacked line-up at Eternal 73.
Adding some flair to the occasion, the card will take place the day before the UFC makes its return to Perth for UFC 284 – a spectacular double-header for fans looking to take in a full weekend of MMA littered with both present and potential future local stars of the UFC.
No doubt each fighter on the Eternal 73 card will be looking to make a big impression as the biggest combat sports show on wheels rolls into town.
The title fight main event for Eternal 72 will play host to a rare circumstance.
Not only have the two men involved already faced each other but did so in the very last fight they competed in prior to the middleweight title fight they will square off in this coming Friday.
Eternal 69 saw Middleweight champion John Martin Fraser step in on weeks’ notice to face New Zealand native – Mat Myers, who needed a new dance partner after his original fight was scrapped due his opponent sustaining an injury.
According to Eternal MMA promoter Cam O’Neill, there was absolutely zero hesitation from either camp when it came to accepting the late notice catchweight bout.
On paper, it was a risky proposition for Fraser to accept. A year and a half removed from his last fight and with no training camp to sharpen his blade, the Welsh export put all but is championship belt on the line to save the fight and get himself back inside the cage.
John Fraser is a fighter’s fighter.
Speaking with Eternal MMA, Fraser shared his sentiments on stepping up to plate and facing Myers for what would ultimately be the table-setter for a future, higher stakes fight between the pair.
“I one hundred percent wanted to take that fight,” said Fraser.
“I’d had eighteen months off after the Kitt Campbell fight; that was the last time I fought. I’d had two training camps that were wasted. When I went back to the UK, I was training to fight on Cage Warriors, that (fight) fell through because the guy had a sickness. The second one, I had an injury. Three months later I ended up having hand surgery.
“I wasn’t planning on fighting until December because of my hand and I hadn’t had the (training) camp. But as soon opportunity was offered to me, I just thought that this was a sign that I need to take this. I’d be daft not to.”
“I just want to fight. You get sports fighters, and you get ‘fighters’ fighters – I think I’m a fighter’s fighter.”
A fighter’s fighter no doubt John Martin Fraser is. After a battle of attrition with Kitt Campbell at Eternal 58, Fraser ground and pounded his way to a stoppage victory in the fourth round that subsequently earned him his first Eternal MMA title.
What proceeded the championship winning fight would be a sixteen-month stint back at home in Wales. Training at Shore MMA, Fraser rounded out his skillset to become a more complete fighter.
No longer just a striker, Fraser worked hard on his grappling game. Levelling up in all facets of MMA in order to better prepare himself for the challenges that lay ahead – both abroad and at home.
Now back in Australia, Fraser feels he is as prepared as ever to meet his first title defence head on.
“You’re just going to see a different fighter,” he said.
“Watching that last fight; I don’t like watching it in terms of seeing my performance on the feet. I was fat and slow.
“It was literally the Monday after that last fight that I was back in the gym, back hitting pads and just getting prepared for this next fight. I’m the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been at the moment, so, you are going to see the better version of myself.”
John Fraser was straight back into the gym on Monday.
Anyone who has spent five minutes talking to John Fraser about mixed martial arts know that he is about as real as it gets.
A straight shooter with no presumptive notions about his recent victory over Myers, Fraser is taking no extra confidence outside of him own improved abilities into their title fight on December 2nd.
“I think this one is just a brand new fight,” he said.
“A few people have said (to me) that I must be going in there full of confidence because I’ve beaten him before, so it must be an easy fight? Not at all. At the end of the day, fighting is fighting. We’ve both got a chin, we’ve both got a pair of arms and legs and a neck to choke each other.
“You just never know what’s going to happen. That for me is the most exciting thing about fighting. You can do everything right, you can have the best camp, you can go in with a hundred and ten percent belief and confidence in yourself. But you could make slip and you end up getting put to sleep.”
“I have helped my own confidence, but that’s the reality of fighting. That’s why fighting is exciting to me. The way I have prepared for Mat this time; it’s like a completely new fight.”
The time between fights has been not only beneficial to Fraser’s skillset, but also his mental approach to the game. Months on the sidelines grinding in the gym while simultaneously missing fights due to injury, the fire inside Fraser continued to burn as he marched towards a return date.
Now with a first title defence in his sights, the 6-2-0 champion has clarity on what a win against his familiar foe could mean for his long-term career.
“I think it’s undeniable that I’m the best in Australia and I think there’s a pretty good argument to be made that I hold my place in the UFC. I don’t think I’d look out of place there at all. That’s going to happen, whether it’s after this fight or the fight after that.
“Whenever it is, I’m going to end up there.”
Not one to look past an upcoming opponent, Fraser assures Eternal MMA fans that they will be without doubt getting their money’s worth for the high-level main event that will close the show for Eternal 72.
“You are going to see a high-level performance, it’s going to be an exciting fight,” he said.
“It’s just not one to missed. We both come to bring the fight. Mat’s a game opponent, I’m a game opponent. I’m going out to finish him and he’s definitely coming out to finish me. So, it would be a mad one to miss.”
“I’ve prepared for everything. I’m ready to go five rounds but I definitely see it in my head that I’m going to knock him out in the first round.”
The champ’s confident he’ll get Myers out of there in the 1st Round, but ready for 5.
Meeting him across the other side of the cage in the blue corner will be the man who would argue to the contrary.
A native of Whangaparaoa, New Zealand now residing in Victoria, Australia – Mat Myers has been forging his own path in mixed martial arts on route to his first fight for a title.
After moving to Australia with his parents at the age of seventeen, Myers was seeking a fresh start in a new country that would put him on a better path than he was heading down back at home.
It would be in Australia that he would meet his now head coach at Adrenaline MMA – Cris Brown.
For Myers, it would be a major turning point in his life and the biggest contributing factor in becoming the man who is is today.
Fast forward ten years later after attending the gym every day since, Myers is slated to headline an Eternal MMA card against a man that he was more than familiar with prior to their first meeting.
“I’ve been watching John for a while,” said Myers.
“I was a welterweight before this last fight that we had, and I had planned on moving up (to middleweight) for a while. But I didn’t expect to be fighting guys like John straight away.
“I remember watching John multiple times with my mates at barbecues, getting on the piss and watching Eternal fights. My best mate: John was his favourite guy to watch.
A fan himself of Fraser’s work inside the cage, Myers concedes that being in awe of the Welshman’s performances in the past resulted in him needing to overcome some mental hurdles when he was eventually tasked with becoming his next opponent.
“It was the unknown monster,” he said.
“You watch him knock all these people out and he’s this scary Welsh guy. Standing toe to toe with Kitt Campbell – someone I’ve trained with before and beating him at his own fight. That’s Kitt’s bread and butter; stand in front of people and trade. John beat him at that.
“He was this guy that I’d watched for a long time and rated highly – I still do. Just to get in there with him, be me and not have that fear was what I took away from it (the first fight) most. He’s a human being. He’s just a man.”
“I’ve probably watched the fight five or six times. That fights done, he got me, I’ll hold myself accountable for that. We’ve made adjustments to the mistakes that I made in that fight that ultimately got John the win, I think.
“It’s just another fight. It doesn’t matter if it’s the same guy or not. That’s the way we are taking it.”
Mat Myers takes confidence from his recent outing against John Fraser.
It’s hard not to make comparisons to the two men involved in the main event for Eternal 72, especially when it comes to a fighter’s mentality. As has been stated on record many times in the lead up to the contest, both men were willing to face each other on a moments notice with zero questions asked.
It’s the same way that each have carried themselves from the start of their career up until their scheduled title fight.
While the concept is not foreign to Myers, he believes that the region has an issue of fighters being too selective with their potential opponents.
“Fighters fight. I’ll fight anyone,” he said.
“I think that in Australian MMA we have a really bad culture of ducking people and picking and choosing our fights. I understand that this is a business, and you need to build your way up. But at the end of the day, if you’re good enough to be in the UFC – you’re good enough.”
“That’s just the way I live. I’d rather be that guy in thirty years knowing that I gave it a good crack. I didn’t just pick and choose. I’d rather know that I gave it everything I could. I tried my best to be the best and put myself out there.”
It’s a refreshing attitude not often seen at this level in mixed martial arts. This is a cutthroat business. A split-second lapse in judgement can alter a fighter’s career trajectory without warning. The reverberating effects of wins and losses are the lifeblood of a combat sports athlete.
It’s what makes the mentality of fighters like John Fraser and Mat Myers that much more special. It’s a part of the reason why the two will get to square off again at Eternal 72 immediately after their first fight. A middleweight championship bout on the biggest stage of Australian MMA is just reward for two fighters willing to put it all on the line when the opportunities come knocking.
A huge opportunity awaits Mat Myers on Friday night.
For Myers, it’s an opportunity to not only win his first championship, but also a chance to repay the faith that he has been given by his coaches and training partners since he first arrived at the gym.
“As fighters, we make a lot of sacrifice,” he said.
“For me, (the title) would mean a lot. But even more so for my coach and the people at the gym – it would mean everything. I came into our gym as just some skinny little Kiwi fresh off the boat; a tough kid that liked to punch-on.
“Ten years later, I’m fighting for the most prestigious belt in the country.”
In order to claim the belt, Myers knows that he will need to summon the best performance of his career. Having already faced the hard-nosed Welshman, Myers feels that he is ready to showcase the necessary improvements made when the lights are at their brightest.
“Knowing John; he’s a tough customer,” he said
“I was hitting him with a lot of big elbows underneath. Even on the cage, I felt like I hurt him once or twice in that (first) fight. He just doesn’t stop. He’ll keep going, he doesn’t care, nothing fazes him. He’s just really tough.
“I don’t see one certain way (to win), but I do see myself rocking him at some point and that being the decider. I can’t sit here and say I’m going to put him away flat out, because many have tried, and many have failed. But I know I’m going to win.
“That’s the only thing that I know for certain. I’ll be getting my hand raised at the end of it. Whether he’s got his consciousness or not, I’ll be getting my hand raised.”
“To my friends and family; I’ll apologise is in advance because I’m ready for a war, I’m ready for violence.”
Eternal 72 can be be viewed on Friday, December 2nd live and exclusive on UFC Fight Pass. Fans can visit eternalmma.com to purchase tickets for this event.
May 7th, 2022 will forever be known as the date that one of the greatest – if not the greatest mixed martial contest in Australian combat sports history was witnessed by fans live at Southport Sharks on the Gold Coast for Eternal 72.
Two of the most electric lightweights in the country stood toe to toe for fifteen straight minutes without conceding an inch until the final horn sounded. A relentless display of striking coupled with seemingly endless cardio from both combatants had the crowd in attendance on their feet for almost as long as the contest lasted.
Wins and losses aside, Josh Kuhne and Dimps Gillies would leave the arena with their stock elevated astronomically higher than what they came in with – and what they came in with was already experiencing a boom time.
Kuhne VS Dimps was an early Fight of the Year contender.
“I have never seen anything like that in my life! If you are not on your feet at home in your living room, get off your couch and get on your feet for these gentlemen!”
Appropriately stunned words immediately preceding the fights conclusion from co-promoter and stand-in commentator, Ben Vickers.
“Violence personified here tonight at Eternal 65!”
Echoing’s not remotely in the realm of hyperbole from lead commentator, Tanera Nathan.
Making the walk for just his fourth professional fight in his young career, Kuhne would finally find a challenger who would escape his wrath beyond the first round. Not only that, but Gillies would also fight the Kamikaze firepower with his own brand of evenly matched weaponry to outlast Kuhne and hand him his first defeat.
As the old saying in combat sports goes; you either win or you learn. It is Kuhne’s firm stance that he drew nothing but positives away from a fight that will live long in the memory of fans for years to come.
“Officially on my record, it’s a loss. But for me that was a massive gain – a massive win,” said Kuhne.
“I knew where I was lacking in so many departments, but it was a matter of going through the experience to be able to (understand it properly).
“I was lacking a bit of experience in there, a bit of composure, I wasn’t sticking to the game plan. There was a lot of things that I felt like I was aware of, but I had to go through the motions to really feel the repercussions of not seeing those things done.
“I’m still pretty new to the game. I’ve been getting blasted going through this MMA journey, taking fights actively and running my way up through the rankings pretty quickly.
“I was rushing a bit, so I took a bit of time to step away and slow things down; think about my process, look at everything as a whole and not feel that rush.”
An entertainer at heart.
The time after the fight with Gillies allowed Kuhne to think clearly about what he wants from the sport and what he can do best benefit his career opportunities in long run.
Having fought as high as welterweight during his amateur outings, Kuhne would go on to compete exclusively at lightweight for his first four professional bouts.
Running through his first three opponents relatively unchecked, Kuhne made the discovery during his rampage on the 70 kilogram division that he could make an even further drop in weight class for his future fights.
“I knew that it was possible about two fights ago that I could make featherweight, but as per most things leading into my last fight it was an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ (mentality),” he said.
“Now that I’ve taken my last loss against Dimps, I wanted to come back and make improvements in every aspect that I could and take the sport as professionally as I could. That’s meant going down a weight class, being big for the division and being extra disciplined with my diet.
“The other thing is too, if the UFC is looking for featherweights for a call up – they’ll have a featherweight. If they’re looking for lightweights for a call up – they’ll have a lightweight. I can complete in two weight divisions, and I think that’s pretty appealing.”
At this stage of Kuhne’s career, it is beginning to paint the picture of a theme centred largely around one aspect…
Sacrifice.
A family man with a supporting wife and twin boys at home, Kuhne also runs his own tattoo business on the Gold Coast. A rewarding lifestyle and commitment, but certainly not without its challenges as he pursues his dream of being a full time competitive mixed martial artist.
On top of the extra discipline required to make weight in a smaller division, Kuhne made the choice to move his fight camp south from the Gold Coast all the way to Freestyle MMA in Windang, New South Wales – home of UFC pound for pound king and reigning featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Taking him further away from home and his family, Kuhne concedes that it was the best choice he could make in order to push himself to the next level.
“It been massive,” said Kuhne of his new camp.
“To be surrounded by a lot of other good featherweights, lightweights, obviously the likes of Alex himself; there’s no better training partners or coaches. I’ve got Joe Lopez there looking after me; he’s mad old-school. I get a lot from learning and training with him. He keeps me disciplined.
“Overall, it was a massive move for me. Being away from home, being in New South Wales, being away from business, being away from my kids and my wife – everything. But to be away at Freestyle and to do my camp there, it was pretty rewarding. I’ve definitely felt the benefits from it.”
Looking ahead to his matchup with Abdalla Biayda in a new weight class at Eternal 72, Kuhne is adamant that the devastating power he exhibited as a lightweight will be making the journey down with him.
Kuhne takes on Biayda on the upcoming Eternal 72 card.
Known for his relentless striking onslaughts from the opening bell that all six of his first opponents as an amateur and professional failed to withstand, Kuhne warns that the extra weight cut will have no negative impact on the firepower that he possesses in his hands.
“That power is going to be maintained one hundred percent,” he professed.
“When I rehydrate, I feel like I’m going to be the same size as I am as a lightweight. Because of how the weight cut is, where I normally sit and what I walk back in at; I feel like I’m going to rehydrate exactly the same as I would at lightweight, but as a featherweight.
“To say I’m going to be too big for the division? Yeah, I’m going to be big. These featherweights? I don’t know how they are going to handle this power.”
It’s a chilling prospect for any competitor who dares to share the cage with Kuhne at any weight, let alone in a weight class that he will have a potentially distinct size advantage in. With a renewed focus on conditioning, diet and an overall approach to the game, Kuhne assures that his newfound home at featherweight will still see him accompanied by the Kamikaze spirit.
“I go out there and I press the action, that’s still me,” he said.
“You are still going to get the Kamikaze performance (but) there’s going to be an element of professionalism that wasn’t there last time, implemented this time.”
“They put me on this platform for a reason, there’s a reason people tune in watch my fights. I make people feel those raw emotions. I make people feel like they are in the Gladiator times. I want people to feel those raw emotions when they see me fight.
“That’s what I do when I get in there. I’m there for the people, I fight for the people and I’m an entertainer at heart.”
Eternal 72 can be versed Friday, December 2nd live and exclusive on UFC Fight Pass. Fans can visit eternalmma.com to purchase tickets for this event.
Eternal 27 saw a young Justin Van Heerden make the walk for just his second professional fight after winning his debut by submission in the first round at Eternal 26.
Fighting against a more experienced opponent in Diego Pereira – who at the time had already competed in four professional matches, Van Heerden would suffer his first defeat at the hands of the Brazilian by way of first round knockout.
Fast forward more than five years later, the former training partners are set to face each other once again. This time, they are set to battle it out for the now vacant Eternal MMA featherweight championship.
With a professional record that now stands at 10-5-0, Van Heerden’s recent resume boasts an impressive three-fight winning streak. During this run, all three wins came by way of submission, with his most recent win coming via a signature rear naked choke against an opponent seemingly no one else was lining up to fight.
Van Heerden recently picked up his 3rd straight win at Eternal 67.
Now with his first chance to become an Eternal MMA champion, Van Heerden is primarily focused winning the belt itself, rather than avenging a previous loss to his fellow title challenger.
“Obviously being that it’s a title fight – that’s pretty cool,” said Van Heerden.
“It’s big that’s it’s on Eternal, it’s the biggest promotion in the country. It’s got that meaning behind it. Obviously, its shown that if you win that title and hold that title, it can open some pretty big doors.
“In terms of the rematch with Diego and trying to get one back – I’m going to relish the opportunity to do that. But, in terms of me sitting there and thinking like I need to go out of my way to do that? No, not really.”
“I’m happy. I’m getting in there and fighting for a title and I’m fighting someone else that’s been around for a hot minute doing their thing. But do I think that it’s something that I needed to get back? Not really.
“The only loss that really stings when I look at it would be the (Rod) Costa fight. The Diego loss was early in my career, it was my second pro fight. Back then I was barely even training any striking. I was just relying on what got me to the dance and that was my wrestling. I went in there with a more experienced guy, a more well-rounded guy at that time.”
“When I called him out after the (Alan) Philpott fight, it just made sense at the time. I wouldn’t say I’ve dwelt on it and thought that I need to get that one back. But I have an opportunity to do that and (also) win a belt. So, it means a bit more than the first fight.”
Five plus years removed from their first meeting; it is fair to say that both athletes who will be competing for the now vacant featherweight title have made considerable growth as mixed martial artists. Both men have since gone earn their place amongst the most popular and widely respected athletes in the country today.
For Van Heerden – a native of South Africa who now calls Australia home, the man who faced Diego Pereira in just his second pro fight is all but a distant memory. The man who will step into the cage to fight for his first championship belt will reflect years of dedicated obsession to the craft – a complete transformation from the boy who couldn’t count on the resources he has at his disposal today.
Van Heerden has improved leaps and bound since his first fight with Pereira.
“Vastly, completely different,” said Van Heerden of his metamorphosis.
“Obviously, I’m older – I’ve matured not only as a fighter, but as a man. I was a young guy getting into MMA and I was just relying on a one-dimensional approach. I didn’t have the knowledge and the approach I have now. I didn’t have the help of my nutritionist; I didn’t have the help with my strength and conditioning; I didn’t know anything.
“Now, the man that’s walking into that cage is a well-rounded mixed martial artist – I think I’ve shown that fight to fight this year, especially in my last fight with (Mohammad) Alavi.
“If (Diego) is coming into this fight and thinking that it’s going to be the same type of fight and it’s going to be the same type of guy (from the previous fight) you are getting in there with, you’re in for some nasty surprises because I’m dangerous everywhere.
“If there’s a lapse at any point, I’m going to put you away.”
Training out of Freestyle MMA, it must be almost impossible for any fighter who wants to dedicate himself to the sport to not make exponential growth within their respective skill sets. At the same time as receiving his tutelage under the legendary Joe Lopez – Van Heerden has the enviable resource of training alongside the UFC pound for pound greatest fighter on the planet in Alexander Volkanovski, who of course currently holds the most prestigious featherweight title in the world.
With Van Heerden looking to follow suit and claim Australia’s most prestigious belt in the same weight class, he admits that the advice he receives from Volkanovski has been invaluable to his career aspirations.
“I take a lot from the example that Volk sets, and he is always someone that has said ‘you have to be undeniable’ – I feel like that’s what I’ve done this year. I’ve worked very hard to take the tough fights and take the people that no one wants to fight – go out there, get the wins and not only get the wins but get the finishes in these fights and make myself undeniable.
“I feel like I’ve done that, especially with the Alavi fight. He was undefeated, I beat him and made myself the undeniable number-one contender – made myself the undeniable number-one featherweight in the country by a mile.
“This fight here (with Diego) is my fourth fight inside ten months. Another win, another finish – that’s four fights, four wins plus an Australian title… Its pretty hard to argue that I’m not the best featherweight in the country and not the most deserving of what’s next.”
Undeniable is certainly the most appropriate phrase that comes to mind regarding Justin Van Heerden’s claims. His surging run of late has painted a picture of a fighter who is beginning to scratch the surface of his high potential – a dedicated student of the game who is yet to enter the prime years of his fighting career.
4 straight wins and a belt could open some doors for Van Heerden.
With Eternal 72 just around the corner, Van Heerden assures fan he is looking to keep the momentum in his favour.
“I believe I’m going to get a finish inside the distance,” he said.
“I’m going to find a finish and it can come at any point. It could be on the feet, it could be in the grappling, it could be anywhere at any time. I’m trusting in my ability; I’ll just stick to what I need to do – go out there and perform the way I perform, and the finish is going to come. I don’t need to rush anything. The better part is I’ve got an extra ten-minutes to do my work, if needed. So, we’ll just go on that.”
“Anyone watching this fight, anyone attending the show, they can expect that it’s going to be an action-packed fight. They can expect that they are going to see a very high-level of mixed martial arts and they can expect that they are going to see a finish – that’s what I’ve brought this year, that’s what I’ve brought fight to fight. I’ve showcased improvements fight to fight, so it’s going to be no different (in this fight).
“If you’re watching this co-main event, it’s not going to be boring and it’s going to be a finish.”
Eternal 72 can be viewed Friday, December 2nd live and exclusive on UFC Fight Pass. Fans can visit eternalmma.com to purchase tickets for this event.
