Know Your Fighter: Tasar Malone

Full Name:
Tasar Malone

Age:
29

Where were you born:
Gold Coast, Australia

Where do you live:
Gold Coast, Australia

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:
Purple Belt – BJJ

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
I grew up as one of six kids on some property up in the Gold Coast hinterland, where I learned the value of hard work and perseverance. Growing up in a big family surrounded by nature and on acreage was the best place for us kids to grow up, run and play. We didn’t have much, but my parents taught us the value of making the most of what we did have. They instilled in us a strong work ethic and the understanding that nothing worth having comes easy.
That mindset has carried over into everything I do — and I wouldn’t change a thing.

After chasing a soccer dream but falling short, then chasing an AFL dream only to fall short again, I found MMA. I had my first fight in 2019 and decided I was going to give this my all. Though it wasn’t easy — from working odd jobs to pay for training and food, to living and sleeping on the very mats that I trained on, and later in my career, living out of my car — my determination never wavered.

Fighting is my way of showing that no matter where you come from, or the challenges you face along the way, you can rise above, make something of yourself, and help inspire others to do the same.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I was always active and had an interest in becoming a professional athlete. So whatever I did, I put my heart and soul into.
When I decided AFL wasn’t the path for me, I got into MMA — and I knew from the first day that I would take it seriously and take it all the way.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
My favourite session of the week is sparring, because I get to put together all the skills I’ve been developing throughout the week.
The session allows me to be creative and fight the way I want to fight. Every sparring session is different — with different bodies, looks, and intensities. I enjoy practising being comfortable in the chaos.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
I’m confident in all areas, and I believe my pressure, pace, and preparation will be too much. My nickname’s The Machine for a reason. Once I start, I don’t stop.
I’m ready to push the pace, break my opponent, and get my hand raised inside the distance. I recently completed UFC comparison strength and conditioning testing and my results were world-class.
That’s what you’re going to see come fight night.

How would you describe your fighting style:
I bring intensity, chaos, and pressure that melts my opponents.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA. It is the peak of human athleticism, intelligence, and grit.
It feels primal. It’s always been a part of life, and I resonate with the life of warriors.

Who is your favourite athlete:
GSP — the ultimate reference of a martial artist. Great person, intelligent, high skill level, and had the determination and discipline to do what it took to become a great champion.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Same as above — GSP.

What are your immediate and long term goals:
Immediate goal is to win this next fight. Then it’s straight to the Eternal Featherweight belt where I claim my rightful position as the number one featherweight in this country.
Not like all of these other bums getting opportunities on the big stage by picking easy opponents — I have gone through the gauntlet to deserve my place at the top.
Then, we fight to be on the biggest stage to realise my dream of becoming a UFC athlete.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
No matter who is headlining the card, I am the people’s main event. I bring the crowd, excitement, and what it means to enjoy a fight show.
I’m always going to fight for a finish and everyone knows that I leave it all in there.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
His team already said it themselves… second round flying knee.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
My family, friends, and supporters are everything to me — because I would truly struggle on this path without them.
I not only fight for myself, continuing to prove to myself what I am capable of, but also for them.
I want to inspire them as much as they inspire and motivate me. We are in this together.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you on socials:
Instagram: @iamtasar

Watch Tasar Malone fight at Eternal MMA 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Jayden Le Petit

Full Name:
Jayden Le Petit

Age:
26

Where were you born:
Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Where do you live:
Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Unite MMA

Who are your coaches:
Brad Gawthorne
Tessa Gawthorne

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:
Surfing

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
In 2023, I had my first amateur MMA fight.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Favourite aspect of training is how it makes you feel afterwards. Doesn’t matter if you’ve had a bad day — every session on the mats makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My will to keep moving forward and never give up.

How would you describe your fighting style:
A pressure fighter, constantly moving forward and putting pressure on my opponent.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — I love the variety in it. There’s so much to learn and everyone does something a little bit different. I love how everyone has their own style. Every day there’s something to improve on. It’s a very addicting sport.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Mike Tyson

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Alexander Volkanovski

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To get one more fight in by the end of the year and fight 2–3 times next year.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Non-stop action.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Constant pressure and overwhelming my opponent.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you for supporting me — I hope you enjoy the show.

Instagram:
@jaydenlepetitty

Watch Jayden Le Petit fight at Eternal MMA 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Makani Gray

Full Name:
Makani Gray

Age:
18

Where were you born:
New Plymouth, New Zealand

Where do you live:
Gold Coast

Which gym do you train out of:
DTV Academy

Who are your coaches:
Dylan Andrews

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Purple belt in BJJ

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

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I started to take MMA seriously when I finished high school so I could focus on MMA full time.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Favourite aspect of training is wrestling — it really forces you to push hard. Favourite session of the week is Saturday morning sparring; I get to mix everything together and practice what I’ve learnt.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My BJJ experience and consistency.

How would you describe your fighting style:
A mix of everything.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — because it’s a solo sport and it’s the greatest sport on earth.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Georges St-Pierre

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Ilia Topuria

What are your immediate and long term goals:
My immediate goal is to win my MMA fight on September 13. My long-term goal is to be UFC champion one day.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
1st or 2nd round finish in my favour.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to everyone who supports me — I’m just getting started.

Instagram:
makani.gray

Watch Makani Gray fight at Eternal MMA 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Jay Jay Ioane

Full Name:
Jay Jay Ioane

Age:
31

Where were you born:
Auckland, New Zealand

Where do you live:
Gold Coast, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
DTV Academy

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 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Matt Vaile

Full Name:
Matt Vaile

Age:
34

Where were you born:
Hamilton, New Zealand

Where do you live:
Hamilton, New Zealand

Which gym do you train out of:
Core MMA

Who are your coaches:
Luke Jumeau, Ethan Brocket

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.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:
Instagram: Matt Viper Vaile
Facebook: Matt Viper Vaile

Watch Matt Vaile fight at Eternal MMA 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: David Martinez

Full Name:
David Martinez

Age:
32

Where were you born:
Darwin, NT

Where do you live:
Buderim, Sunshine Coast, QLD

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.

Instagram:
@davidmartinezmma

Watch David Martinez fight at Eternal MMA 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Bailey Rach

Full Name:
Bailey Rach

Age:
23

Where were you born:
Bundaberg

Where do you live:
Sunshine Coast

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.

Instagram: @baileyrhach10

Watch Bailey Rach fight at Eternal MMA 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Mitch Rapson

Full Name:
Mitchell Rapson

Age:
25

Where were you born:
Melbourne, Australia

Where do you live:
Gold Coast, Australia

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 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Nikita Laptsevich

Full Name:
Nikita Laptsevich

Age:
23

Where were you born:
Minsk, Belarus

Where do you live:
Gold Coast, Australia

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 98 on Saturday, September 13

Know Your Fighter: Baxter Pickering

Full Name:
Baxter Pickering

Age:
24

Where were you born:
Queensland, Australia

Where do you live:
Gold Coast

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 98 on Saturday, September 13