Darcy Vendy | Eternal MMA

Eternal MMA 2025 Awards

Standouts of Year 2025

To kick off our 2025 Eternal MMA Awards, we’re shining a light on the amateurs who stood out in 2025. Breakout performances, big moments, and fighters proving they’re ready for the next level 🔥 These are ones to watch out for…

Knockout of Year 2025

In 2025, we saw so many iconic knockouts that even narrowing it down to the nominees was no easy task. There were countless finishes deserving of their own flowers; Chili’s KO at Eternal 95 on just 10 days’ notice, Kane Rickus’ head-kick KO at the legendary Eternal 100, and Sam Marles’ savage comeback KO at Eternal 95, just to name a few.

But one moment stood above the rest. Darcy Vendy’s walk-off, lights-out KO at Eternal 96 to retain his Eternal middleweight title in the main event. After weathering the storm from Blair Bretag in rounds one and two, Darcy stayed composed, picked his moment, and delivered a statement finish on the biggest stage.

A definitive Knockout of the Year 2025.

Breakthrough Fighters 2025

Many fighters made the jump to the professional ranks in 2025, and it was a year full of breakthrough moments. Immediate impacts were made across the board, but two fighters stood above the rest, so close that they were impossible to separate.

That’s why this year, we’re doing something special. For the 2025 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year, we’re recognising not one, but two athletes. Jesse Swain and Michael Alsop both turned professional in 2025, went undefeated at 2–0, and delivered back-to-back knockout finishes.

Both men wasted no time making a statement, debuting as pros and maintaining a 100% finish rate with quick turnarounds throughout the year. We’re excited to see what’s next for these two as they continue to build their careers, because this is only the beginning.

Submission of Year 2025

In 2025, we saw plenty of lightning-fast finishes, but one stood above the rest. A Round 1, 14-second armbar from Cyprian Rogozinski.

Cyprian returned in 2025 after a four-year layoff and made an immediate statement with back-to-back armbar submissions at Eternal 96 and 98. But it was his 14-second finish at Eternal 98 that truly separated itself, earning Submission of the Night.

A clear Submission of the Year 2025 🏆👊

Fight of The Year 2025

What a year 2025 was. Narrowing down the nominees for Fight of the Year was no easy task, with so many unforgettable battles deserving of recognition. Fights like Marles VS Law at Eternal 95, Vendy VS Bretag at Eternal 96, Filimoehala VS Kelly at Eternal 98, and Lam VS Van Ingen at Eternal 101 could each stand alone as award-worthy performances.

Choosing just one felt almost impossible, but one fight had everything you could ask for. Kevin Kophamel VS A’Keitheon Whitner delivered a relentless, back-and-forth war, with both athletes showcasing every facet of mixed martial arts. A true showcase of MMA that had fans on their feet and begging for more.

Kophamel VS Whitner: a very deserving Fight of the Year 2025.

Fighter of The Year 2025

What a year 2025 was for so many fighters, for so many reasons. Undefeated streaks were maintained, legacies were built, and the toughest challenges were accepted. Fighters proved they could not only win, but return weeks later and deliver back-to-back statement performances. Many athletes put their name on the map and established themselves as real threats inside the Eternal Cage.

But one fighter stood above the rest. Darcy Vendy is your Eternal MMA Fighter of the Year.

Headlining two championship events, Darcy showed why he is the king of the middleweight division.

At Eternal 94, he took on Mat Myers in a grueling title fight, pushing the pace and securing a vicious third-round rear-naked choke. Three months later at Eternal 96, he returned to defend his belt again, delivering a Round 2 lights-out knockout against Blair Bretag.

Two championship fights, two finishes, and extending his win streak to 6 in a row, Darcy proved in 2025 that when the stakes are highest, he delivers. Finishing elite opponents, defending titles definitively, earning Darcy his place as Eternal MMA Fighter of the Year 2025.

Darcy Vendy: The Usurper’s Rise to Eternal MMA Glory

At Eternal 91, the stage was set for a clash of titans. Darcy “The Usurper” Vendy, representing The Fight Centre Brisbane, stepped into the cage to challenge the seasoned John Fraser, a two-time Eternal MMA Australian middleweight champion with a storied legacy. In a battle that captivated the MMA world, Vendy delivered a stunning third-round knockout, claiming the coveted Eternal MMA Middleweight Championship and cementing his place among Australia’s elite fighters.

A Legacy to Uphold

For Darcy Vendy, the stakes were more than just “gold”. The belt he sought had recently been vacated by his coach and mentor, Ben Johnston, a legend in Australian combat sports. Johnston’s own reign as champion ended with his retirement, leaving the belt vacant and a void to fill. Adding to the intrigue, Johnston had also defeated John Fraser during his championship run. With this backdrop, Vendy faced immense pressure to uphold his team’s legacy and prove himself as a worthy successor.

The Journey to Championship Glory

Darcy Vendy’s rise in the Eternal MMA ranks has been nothing short of inspiring. Born in Ararat, Victoria, and now based on the Gold Coast, the 29-year-old fighter represents the next generation of Australian MMA with six appearances on Eternal MMA (including a Reign Fighting appearance). Training out of The Fight Centre Brisbane under the guidance of Ben Johnston and Thomas Cooper, Vendy honed his skills through relentless effort and a strategic approach to the sport.

Vendy entered the Eternal 91 main event on a three-fight win streak, boasting a professional record of 6-3, including three knockout victories and two submissions. Among his notable wins are triumphs over Jack Della Maddalena, Alfred Stoddart, and Ty Duncan, as well as Jack James and Abel Brites. Known for his athleticism, endurance, and problem-solving abilities, Vendy’s fighting style emphasizes dismantling opponents’ skill sets, leaving them with no path to victory.

The Fight: A Defining Moment

The clash with John Fraser was billed as a battle of contrasting narratives. Fraser sought to reclaim his glory and solidify his legacy as the best middleweight in the country. Vendy, on the other hand, was determined to seize his moment and usher in a new era. The fight’s tagline captured the drama: “Will John Fraser reclaim glory, or will Darcy Vendy rise as Australia’s new middleweight king?”

The fight unfolded as a technical and physical showcase. Vendy’s preparation and game plan shone through as he weathered Fraser’s attacks, controlled the clinch exchanges, and capitalized on openings. In the third round, Vendy delivered a decisive blow, a knockout that not only ended the fight but also marked the beginning of his reign as champion.

A Champion’s Reflection

In his post-fight speech, Vendy opened up about the personal growth that paralleled his athletic journey. He spoke about the time he’d spent repairing relationships with his parents and how deeply fulfilling it was to have their support. Surrounded by people who push him to chase his goals, Vendy emphasized the importance of community and connection in his success. His heartfelt words resonated with fans, showcasing the character behind the fighter.

What’s Next for The Usurper?

Darcy Vendy’s victory at Eternal 91 is a stepping stone to even greater ambitions. While his ultimate goal is to enter the UFC and compete at the highest levels, his current focus is clear: to defend and reign as the Eternal Middleweight Champion for as long as necessary. Vendy is committed to solidifying his dominance on the regional stage before making his mark on the global MMA scene.

For fans, seeing Darcy Vendy’s name on a fight poster is a promise of high-level competition, strategic brilliance, and explosive finishes. As the Eternal MMA Middleweight Champion, Vendy is poised to inspire the next generation of fighters and continue building his legacy in the sport.

Rewatch Darcy Vendy’s incredible performance at Eternal 91 today on UFC Fight Pass.

Follow Darcy Vendy on Instagram at @theusurpermma to stay updated on his journey and witness the rise of one of the most dangerous middleweights in the region.