Who are your coaches: Dylan Andrews and Vincent Perry
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist: Fought over multiple disciplines and hold a blue belt in BJJ
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up: Family were rugby heads, but I was always attracted to combat sports. I also surfed growing up.
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: I was first introduced to MMA when I was a teenager back in Auckland. I stopped because I wanted to pursue surfing instead. Fast forward to 2020 and I fell down the rabbit hole of MMA again. Two years later I debuted and have been hooked on the sport ever since.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: Saturday sparring becomes really competitive when someone’s in camp. This time we have four of us on the card so the room is electric. Nowhere to hide — if you aren’t switched on, you’re getting lit up. No questions asked and definitely no sorrys.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: No slouch on the ground and I love a good wrestling exchange or scramble — but my fight IQ is going to be the problem this fight.
How would you describe your fighting style: Smack bang right in the middle. Love to wrestle, but I love punching people in the face just as much.
What is your favourite sport and why: Surfing. It lets you be as creative as you can, with elements of pressure and decision-making. Translates to fighting very well.
Who is your favourite athlete: Mick Fanning
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: Robert Whittaker
What are your immediate and long-term goals: Short term: beat Mitch convincingly. Long term: turn pro.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: First-round finishes.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: I asked for Mitch. I wanna see what the hype is about. He’s a tough cat, but I feel like I’m gonna be one step ahead the whole time.
A final message to any friends, family and supporters: Thank you everyone who was a part of this camp — my teammates, friends, and family. It’s gonna be another night to remember.
Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials: Instagram: @jaysparrowjay
Watch Jay Jay Ioane fight at Eternal MMA 98on Saturday, September 13
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist: Black belt in BJJ, Black belt in Taekwondo
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up: Soccer, Karate
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: I did a few kickboxing fights between 2012–2014, then got offered an MMA fight while training BJJ.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: MMA sparring — I love punching people.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: Confident and aggressive. I love violence.
How would you describe your fighting style: Street fighter
What is your favourite sport and why: Hunting — I like the skill and being outdoors.
Who is your favourite athlete: Don’t really have one.
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: All the fighters in the PRIDE & K-1 GP days.
What are your immediate and long-term goals: Take out all the major Australian welterweight titles and fight in the USA.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: Violence.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: I see my opponent being very keen to take it to the ground, like most of his fights. I can see myself getting the finish as he gets desperate to avoid keeping it standing.
A final message to any friends, family and supporters: Love my people — makes this journey that much more enjoyable with them along for the ride.
Which gym do you train out of: Team Compton Training Centre
Who are your coaches: Ryan Doyle & Steve Compton
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist: BJJ Black Belt – 1st degree
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up: All of them — footy, cricket, rugby, basketball and athletics (track & field)
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: Started as a hobby in 2011, turned pro in 2018.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: Sparring, of course. Nothing quite like punching someone in the face — and vice versa.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: My ability to bounce back from adversity — you could say I’m hard-headed, haha.
How would you describe your fighting style: Annoying pressure. I walk my opponents down — it’s suffocating for them.
What is your favourite sport and why: MMA, of course. It’s what I’m good at — or so people say.
Who is your favourite athlete: GSP
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: GSP & Volk
What are your immediate and long term goals: Immediate goal is always the opponent in front of me. Long term — to become the best undisputed fighter in Australia & New Zealand, and earn myself a contract on the world stage.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: Excitement — and lots of smiles. I absolutely love what I do, so it’s impossible for me not to smile. Fans can expect to see me bring something new every time I step in the cage, plus the usual suffocating pressure.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: I never predict the outcome of my fights, but my pressure is a nightmare to deal with. I always look to take my opponents into deep water — and if an opportunity arises, finish them.
A final message to any friends, family and supporters: Thank you to my wife, family, friends, coaches, teammates and sponsors. Thank you to the fans that always show up.
Which gym do you train out of: Oasis Fight Academy
Who are your coaches: John Martin Fraser, Ryan Doyle, Jordan Scouse
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist: White Belt BJJ, 3-1 Boxing, 2-0 Muay Thai, 1-1 MMA
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up: I played field hockey until I was 16 years old.
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: I started boxing at 19, then transitioned to Muay Thai when I was 21. Then, for the last year and a half, I’ve been doing MMA and have been taking it seriously for a little over a year.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: I love all of it, but especially love the boxing and wrestling components.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: My greatest strength is my athleticism and the amount of work I put into my training.
How would you describe your fighting style: Sprawl and brawl with good boxing fundamentals.
What is your favourite sport and why: MMA — it’s the greatest expression of physicality, mental toughness, and skill.
Who is your favourite athlete: Ilia Topuria
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: Ilia Topuria
What are your immediate and long-term goals: Immediate: get back in the win column after the results of my last fight. Long-term: become a professional MMA fighter.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: An exciting fight — something that could end at any second.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: A striking match on the feet with a 3-2 combo finish.
A final message to any friends, family, and supporters: Just a thank you to everyone who supports me and appreciates it so much.
Which gym do you train out of: CMBT Training Centre
Who are your coaches: Miles Muecke, Brentin Mumford, Jesse Yada
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: Soccer and footy, followed by MMA
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: When I moved to the Gold Coast at the start of 2023. I’ve now fully committed to it.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: All of it. I just love learning every day and improving my skill set.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: My drive and determination to succeed.
How would you describe your fighting style: High volume and always looking to put on a fun fight.
What is your favourite sport and why: MMA, because I’m obsessed with it.
Who is your favourite athlete: All MMA fighters.
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: Tom Aspinall
What are your immediate and long-term goals: Immediate goal is to get my hand raised on September 13th. Long-term goal is to reach the UFC and turn this into a career.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: A very entertaining fight that they won’t want to miss!
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: I see it being a dominant performance that makes a statement and shows the level I’m at.
A final message to any friends, family and supporters: I appreciate every single person that supports me on this journey. Let’s do it!!
Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you on socials: Instagram: @mitch_rapson
Watch Mitch Rapson fight at Eternal MMA 98on Saturday, September 13
Which gym do you train out of: Fight Club Jiu Jitsu / Black Dragon Kai
Who are your coaches: Gavin Hain Geordie Lavers-McBain Daniel Lima
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Purple Belt – BJJ
Brown Armband – BDK Muay Thai
Orange Belt – Judo
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up: BMX, swimming, karate, gymnastics
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: I trained karate at age 7 for two years as a hobby. I started judo at 15, and then joined Fight Club at 16. Since then, I’ve been training five days a week with the goal of fighting.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: Probably Muay Thai — but I enjoy everything almost equally 😆
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: I want to be good everywhere the fight goes. Having participated in many sports growing up (and currently), I feel some things come to me easier than they do to others.
How would you describe your fighting style: Not a striker, not a grappler — I’m a mixed martial artist. I know I can knock my opponent out, and I know I can submit them.
What is your favourite sport and why: Other than MMA, probably Muay Thai. I love the high stakes and the fact that a fighter getting dominated most of the fight can still turn the tides at any point.
Who is your favourite athlete: Max Holloway (I don’t watch sports outside of combat sports 😆)
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: Max Holloway
What are your immediate and long-term goals: Short-term: Win my pro debut convincingly and excitingly. Long-term: Become a UFC champion and be an exciting fighter.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: A fighter who’s looking to hurt his opponent and get the finish.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: Not going to tell you 🤫
A final message to any friends, family and supporters: Thank you to everyone — your support is very appreciated!
Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you on socials: Instagram – @nikita_laptsevich
Watch Nikita Laptsevich fight at Eternal MMA 98on Saturday, September 13
Which gym do you train out of: Shindo Newbreed MMA
Who are your coaches: Coach Kerry Dunne
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist: Blue belt in BJJ
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up: Basketball, touch football, swimming, soccer
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: I started in 2022 and just loved it. From there it took over.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: Saturday fight training is my favourite session. It’s a big push with a lot of sparring. You get to test everything you’ve worked on and see it unfold. It’s really rewarding.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: I think I’m unique with the way I grapple and I’m always looking for different techniques. I can be creative and flashy but also hold strong fundamentals. I like to be a bit unpredictable.
How would you describe your fighting style: Unique and entertaining. I want to always give people a reason to watch. I’d like to get to the point where no one even blinks when I fight, otherwise, they might miss something.
What is your favourite sport and why: MMA. Nothing else comes close. There are no distractions, no timeouts, and no shortcuts. It’s just you and your opponent and who wants it more.
Who is your favourite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: Alexander Volkanovski
What are your immediate and long-term goals: I want to let loose in the cage and show what I’m capable of. I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself in the past, so I want to enjoy the process and grow through it. Longer term I want to teach and help people grow the way I have. I already work as a disability support worker and PT, so I enjoy giving back.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: They should expect movement, pressure, and creativity. I’m not giving you time to warm up.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: I see myself finding opportunities early. I know where I’m strong, and I’m going to push the pace from the start.
A final message to any friends, family, and supporters: Thank you all for being by my side from the start. Nothing has ever gone unnoticed. Much love.
Where will any fans or supporters be able to find your socials: Instagram: @bax_pickering
Watch Baxter Pickering fight at Eternal MMA 98on Saturday, September 13
On July 25, 2015, Eternal MMA made its long-awaited debut in Perth with Eternal 11 — a grassroots event that would quietly lay the foundation for a movement. Held inside a boxing ring at the WA Italian Club due to the state’s then-active cage ban, the night featured 11 fights, six finishes, and an energy that hinted at what was to come.
For Western Australia, this event meant more than just fights. It was the beginning of a pathway — a platform for local talent to compete, grow, and eventually rise to the highest levels of the sport.
Eternal 11 // July 25, 2015 // WA Italian Club, Western Australia
Headlining that historic Eternal card was Ryan Gray versus Bowen Cornish. Gray wins with a triangle choke in Round 2, just 57 seconds in. Also, on the card was Mitch Martin, who would go on to become one of Eternal’s most dominant champions — finishing his career undefeated at 8-0, with three knockouts and three submissions to his name.
Mitch Martin appeared on Eternal 11 and eventually became the Eternal bantamweight champion and retire with a perfect 8-0 record.
“It was the beginning of wearing multiple hats,” recalled Eternal director and Scrappy MMA head coach Ben Vickers. “I had a million fighters on the card, including the main event, and I was also promoting the show. But I knew that night it was the start of something. The atmosphere in that place was unique and intimidating — so awesome.”
According to Eternal MMA CEO Cam O’Neill, the vision for bringing Eternal to Perth came from a clear need.
“We always believed in the talent here — but what we saw was a serious lack of opportunity,” O’Neill said. “No dedicated MMA events, no athlete pathway, and fighters from Western Australia were too expensive to fly east — so they were constantly overlooked. I could see it clearly: fighters in Western Australia needed their own platform.”
That’s where the partnership between Cam and Ben took root.
“Ben had a gym full of killers and nowhere to showcase them. Together, we knew Eternal needed to go national, then global… and Western Australia was the perfect place to start.”
Before Eternal 11, WA’s fight scene was patchy at best. MMA fights were squeezed into hybrid shows, and pro fighters had to travel east — often at their own expense — just to compete. Eternal’s arrival changed that, bringing regular events and a structure that WA athletes could build careers around.
From that first event, Eternal would go on to host seven more shows in the ring, including Eternal 13, which featured the debut of a young Jack Della Maddalena, who would later become the UFC welterweight champion of the world. That card was headlined by Myles Simpson versus Ryan Gray.
In June 2017, the cage ban in Western Australia was finally lifted — a move that Eternal MMA had actively advocated for.
“The cage ban being lifted was incredible for Perth,” Vickers said. “It meant the UFC could consider the city for events, gyms were busier, and the sport truly started to thrive here.”
Just two months later, Eternal 28 was the first Eternal cage event in the state, headlined by Josh Della, who scored a devastating first-round knockout over Brandon Ropati.
Building a Perth Legacy: The Events That Followed
From there, Perth became a regular stronghold for Eternal MMA:
Eternal 25: Mitch Martin claimed the bantamweight title; Anthony Drilich (future flyweight champion) also competed and won his bout.
Eternal 28: New South Wales’ Josh Togo (future lightweight champion) competed in WA, beginning his climb in the division.
Eternal 31: Casey O’Neill fought in Perth for the first time, while Jack Della Maddalena continued his ascent.
Eternal 34: Cody Haddon made his debut with a first-round submission over Danial “Mini T” Williams — both would go on to compete on the world stage.
Eternal 37: Jack Della Maddelena defended his belt; Quillan Salkilld made his debut, and Ryan Jankowski emerged as a contender.
Eternal 40: Featured future UFC fighters Callan Potter and Carlos Ulberg.
Eternal 44: Moved to HBF Stadium (now Perth HPC), headlined by UFC veterans Steven Kennedy and Ben Alloway, with rising stars like Seb Szalay and Quillan on the card.
Eternal 47: Steve Erceg defeated Paul Loga, alongside strong showings from Cody, Seb, and Quillan.
Eternal 48: While not held in Perth, this event marked a pivotal moment in Eternal history — the beginning of the promotion’s partnership with UFC Fight Pass, a global distribution deal that brought more exposure than ever before to Australian fighters.
Eternal 51: Jack Della headlined; Casey O’Neill returned for her second fight in Perth.
Eternal 53: Jack Della’s final Eternal appearance before joining the UFC, defeating Aldin Bates in a rematch. Cody and Quillan also featured.
Eternal 60: A wild main event between Steve Erceg and Cody Haddon had the entire stadium on its feet — both fighters later signed to the UFC.
Eternal 53 // October 10, 2020 // This was Jack Della’s last fight on Eternal MMA in Perth.
Eternal’s International Impact
Since then, Eternal’s influence has only grown:
Eternal 73: Steve Erceg earned his UFC contract after defeating a top Japanese contender.
Eternal 76: Quillan Salkilld became lightweight champion, a superstar selling out venues.
Eternal 87: Kevin Kophamel VS Harry Webb went down as one of the greatest Australian MMA fights ever, with Webb crowned the new champ.
Eternal 97: A full-circle moment — Jack Della Maddalena returned to Perth with the UFC belt.
Eternal MMA has now held nearly 100 events, with Eternal 99 set to return to Perth — a milestone that speaks to the promotion’s consistency and growth. The promotion directly injects over $750,000 annually into the WA economy, brought international fighters from America, Thailand, Japan, and Korea, and given both homegrown and interstate athletes a legitimate pathway to the world stage.
Today, Perth is home to four fighters currently signed to the UFC — Jack Della Maddalena, Steve Erceg, Quillan Salkilld and Cody Haddon — with three of them being former Eternal champions. Eternal also played a major role in elevating talents like Casey O’Neill, Carlos Ulberg, and Callan Potter, who used their opportunities in WA to launch global careers.
A Decade of Impact
There’s something special about Perth fight fans — loud, loyal, and proud. From a boxing ring in an Italian social club to roaring stadiums and UFC glory, they’ve backed their own from the very beginning.
Among those who’ve witnessed Eternal’s growth firsthand is Leanne Phillips, who began as a timekeeper at the WA Italian Club and eventually went on to judge, work with the Combat Sports Commission, and now the UFC.
“Back at the Italian Club, it was all heart and hustle,” she recalls. “That grassroots experience grounded me in what this sport is really about — giving fighters a platform and growing something real.”
Over the years, she’s seen MMA in WA shift from misunderstood to mainstream.
“Eternal helped legitimise the sport. Their professionalism, structure, and focus on fighter development made people take MMA seriously. It’s been incredible to watch it evolve — and Eternal has been at the centre of that evolution.”
“And one of them, our former welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena, has gone all the way to become the UFC welterweight world champion. Let that sink in — a kid who fought for us here in Perth now wears UFC gold,” said O’Neill. “WA has always been a hotbed for talent — they just needed the stage. Eternal MMA became that stage. And 10 years on, we’re still here, louder and prouder than ever.”
Through it all — from venue challenges to the uncertainty of the pandemic — Eternal MMA never wavered. While much of the country was locked down due to COVID, Eternal rolled the dice and kept the show going. Against the odds, the team persevered, ensuring that Australian fighters — including those in Western Australia — had a platform when the world stood still.
“The scene has blown up since those early days,” said Gray, the former Eternal Featherweight champion. “Now it’s not just hardcore fans in the room — it’s a legit night out. Eternal has been a big part of making that happen.”
“It all started with a ring, a relationship between Cam and I, and a whole lot of hard work,” said Vickers. “Ten years later — look where we are.”
As Cam O’Neill put it best: “Here’s to the past 10… and the next 10 to come. Perth — thank you for riding with us. We’re just getting started.”
Eternal 97 lit up Perth over the weekend with a sold-out show at Perth HPC, headlined by Abdalla “The Nubian Warrior” Biayda and Campbell Symes. With 1,950+ fans in attendance, the energy was electric — and none more so than inside the Proper No. Twelve Champions Club.
A full 215 guests experienced Eternal MMA the Proper way, with a private area, food and drink packages, and an exclusive meet and greet with the UFC’s newly crowned welterweight king: Jack Della Maddalena.
Jack’s appearance wasn’t just a star cameo — it was a triumphant homecoming. The Perth native and former Eternal MMA welterweight champion (2017–2020) was welcomed with thunderous applause as he returned to the platform where his legendary rise began. With an 18-fight win streak, 10 Eternal fights, and titles like UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year (2022) under his belt, Jack’s presence added a touch of greatness to an already stacked night.
Champions Club attendees were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime moment: a photo with the champ and a proper reminder of where greatness starts.
As for the fights — they delivered in every way. From crisp submissions to devastating knockouts, Eternal 97 showcased the best of Australian MMA. The main event ended in highlight-reel fashion with Biayda landing a third-round walk-off KO to seal the deal.
From the roar of the crowd to the clink of Proper No. Twelve toasts, Eternal 97 was an unforgettable experience — especially for those lucky enough to enjoy it from the best seat in the house.
Which gym do you train out of: Guardians / Wilkes MMA
Who are your coaches: George Garley, David Wilks
What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist: Blue belt in Jiu Jitsu Brown belt in Judo
What sports or activities did you participate in growing up: I did Judo and played football – that was it.
When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession: I began my MMA path in 2017 under my Estonian coach Henri Hiiemäe. He was a professional fighter himself, and when he moved to my hometown, I immediately started taking MMA seriously.
Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why: I like to push the body to its maximum and love the feeling of accomplishment. My favourite session of the week is sparring – I enjoy the flow, the chaos, the transitions. Sparring can be so many things at once, but when the mind stays composed, it all makes sense.
What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter: My mindset and willingness to learn. I also adapt well to any scenario.
How would you describe your fighting style: Flowstate – there is no opponent, only reactions. The way the body moves is how the mind responds.
What is your favourite sport and why: MMA – because it’s the ultimate blend. That’s why it’s called mixed martial arts. Many styles at once.
Who is your favourite athlete: Jon Jones – for his fighting IQ. Also Chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen – his understanding of mental warfare sets him apart.
Who is your favourite combat sports athlete: Jon Jones and Petr Yan.
What are your immediate and long term goals: To become the best version of myself. That’s what makes all the difference.
When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect: Expect the unexpected.
How do you see your upcoming fight playing out: I’m always hunting the finish when the opportunity arises – but I’m more than ready to go three rounds.
A final message to any friends, family and supporters: Thanks to everyone for the support – coaches, training partners, friends and family. Whether you’re on the other side of the world or right here, we share the same values. I appreciate you all.
Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you on socials: Instagram: @egert_messek
Watch Egert Messek fight at Eternal MMA 97 on Saturday, June 28.