Know Your Fighter: George Mangos

Full Name:
George Mangos

Age:
22

Where were you born:
Sydney

Where do you live:
Sydney

Which gym do you train out of:
Lions Den Academy

Who are your coaches:
Luke Pezzutti

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:
Soccer and MMA.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I started MMA when I was 8 years old and knew I wanted to become a fighter at 13. I had my first amateur fight at 15, which I won by first-round RNC.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring — it’s the closest feeling to a real fight.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
High fight IQ and great cardio.

How would you describe your fighting style:
All-rounded and aggressive.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — no other sport is as exciting.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Michael Jordan.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Ilia Topuria.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Right now, I’m focused on knocking out Justin in round 1.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
An exciting, one-sided matchup.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Dominant — I get it done early.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to everyone that tunes in and supports me.

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

Watch George Mangos fight at Eternal MMA 101 on Saturday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Justin Van Heerden

Full Name:
Justin Van Heerden

Age:
31

Where were you born:
South Africa

Where do you live:
Wollongong

Which gym do you train out of:
Freestyle Fighting Gym

Who are your coaches:
Joe Lopez

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Rugby, wrestling, athletics, and gymnastics.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
In 2017.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Spyda sessions in camp — they make a fight feel like a cakewalk.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My cardio and my wrestling.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Relentless, high-level MMA.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — because it’s the hardest sport in the world.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Michael Jordan.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Georges St-Pierre (GSP).

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Smoke George and sign to the UFC.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
“Anyone, anywhere” energy.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I finish George.

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

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

Watch Justin “Lockjaw” Van Heerden fight at Eternal MMA 101 on Saturday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Chris Power

Full Name:
Chris Power

Age:
26

Where were you born:
Macksville

Where do you live:
Coffs Harbour

Which gym do you train out of:
Coffs Combat Academy

Who are your coaches:
Shane Cassidy, Daniel Almeida, Matt Davis

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
4th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, Brown Belt in BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Taekwondo and AFL.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I was very interested in MMA as a teenager but only had Taekwondo available in my town. After getting my licence, I began training in BJJ, kickboxing, and developing my MMA skill set.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Friday night open mat — it’s a tough session with plenty of opportunity to refine both new and old skills. The best way to start the weekend.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My well-rounded skill set and my drive to finish fights make me a tough opponent for anyone.

How would you describe your fighting style:
I’m a technician — any range, any skillset. My strategy and technique give me the edge over my opponents.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — it’s constantly evolving and the most exciting sport to watch.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Anderson Silva.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Anderson Silva.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To win my next fight, reflect, and continue pursuing my MMA career with 100% commitment.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
A masterclass — expect an exciting fight and a performance of the night.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I don’t think my next fight will require judges.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to my friends and family for your continued support — it truly means the world to me.
To my sparring partners and teammates, thank you for the sacrifices you make — this wouldn’t be possible without each of you.
And to my coaches — thank you for your commitment and dedication. There’s no one else I’d rather share this journey with.

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

Watch Chris Power fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Niam Stephen

Full Name:
Niam Stephen

Age:
27

Where were you born:
Newcastle

Where do you live:
Newcastle

Which gym do you train out of:
Nova MMA

Who are your coaches:
Rod Staader, Jamie Ballard

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

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

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Started MMA in 2011 and began taking it seriously that same year.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring — I get to put what I’ve learned all week into live practice.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My striking, my will to win, and my counter-wrestling.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Pressure-heavy and precise.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — it’s all I live and breathe, there’s nothing like it.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Jiří Procházka.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Mike Tyson.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Immediate goal: win my next fight.
Long-term goal: become a UFC Champion.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
A fight that gets them out of their seats.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Me winning by any means necessary.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you for all the support and everything you’ve been there for — this one’s for you.

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

Watch Niam Stephen fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.

Know Your Fighter: Matt Fordham

Full Name:
Matt Fordham

Age:
26

Where were you born:
Sunshine Coast

Where do you live:
Sunshine Coast

Which gym do you train out of:
Collective Grappling Co, Ignite

Who are your coaches:
Jeremy Green, Jake Trindall, Ryan Dunstan

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Jumped around a lot of different sports, but got really into BJJ when I was 14.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
When I first started MMA at 16, I knew it was what I wanted to do. As soon as I started fighting in 2022, I took it seriously.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring — nothing better than cracking on with mates.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
The perfect combination of a meticulous mindset and brutality.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Absolute mauling.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — because I’m good at it.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Me.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Me.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Immediate goals: maul.
Long-term goals: maul everyone.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Same shit, different day — gonna go in and do what I do to everyone.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
They all know what to expect.

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

Watch Matt “The Marauder” Fordham fight at Eternal MMA 100 on Friday, November 15.

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.