Know Your Fighter: Luke Matchitt

Full Name:
Luke Matchitt

Age:
29

Where were you born:
New Zealand

Where do you live:
Perth

Which gym do you train out of:
Wolves Den

Who are your coaches:
Stephen Walton

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
White Belt – 4 stripes

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Boxing

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I decided to give MMA a go in 2021, training on my RNR when I wasn’t working away.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring — I love the intensity and implementing what we’ve learnt over the week.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Grit, determination, and power.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Explosive.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA. Two thousand years ago it was the Colosseum — now it’s the cage. Combat sports are deeply rooted in human nature and everyone gravitates towards it, even if you’re not a fan.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Prime Conor McGregor before the Mayweather fight — dude could have done anything.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
At the moment, Ilia Topuria.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Immediate goals: winning my Eternal bout.
Long-term goals: the pursuit of excellence, being the best martial artist I can be.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I don’t think this fight goes the distance. We’re both going to be looking to land big shots and get the finish.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
You won’t see me in a boring fight. Expect fireworks.

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

Watch Luke Matchitt fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Kaleb Steinnokel

Full Name:
Kaleb Steinnokel

Age:
27

Where were you born:
Perth

Where do you live:
Perth

Which gym do you train out of:
Luistro Combat Academy

Who are your coaches:
Romell Luistro

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:
Muay Thai and boxing

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I started training MMA in 2019 at the age of 21, and had my first fight four months later.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
I really enjoy wrestling and striking.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My greatest strength is my striking and the power I can generate.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Striker.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Robert Whittaker.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Robert Whittaker.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
My goals at the moment are to get back in the win column and turn pro.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
They should expect nonstop action and always an entertaining fight.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I see Luke and myself bringing an entertaining, back-and-forth fight no one wants to miss.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you all for the continued support — I really appreciate it.

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

Watch Kaleb Steinnokel fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: A’Keitheon Whitner

Full Name:
A’Keitheon Whitner

Age:
30

Where were you born:
Atlanta, Georgia

Where do you live:
Phuket, Thailand

Which gym do you train out of:
Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA

Who are your coaches:
Frank Hickman, George Hickman, James Heelan

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:
Division 1 football player

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
2021

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Wrestling.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My God-given athletic ability.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Well-rounded.

What is your favourite sport and why:
Wrestling and football — I grew up playing football, and it took me far.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Me.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Me.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Get better every day. Be the light that God placed me on this earth to be.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
100% effort, 100% of the time.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I get my hand raised.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Jesus is the way, the truth, the light.

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

Watch A’Keitheon Whitner fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Ran Deng

Full Name:
Ran Deng

Age:
24

Where were you born:
Cairo, Egypt

Where do you live:
Ipswich, Queensland

Which gym do you train out of:
NTG Fight & Fitness / Atlantic Grappling Team

Who are your coaches:
Nugget McNaught, Franky NTG, Jason Phi, Kalob Gray

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:
Athletics, football (soccer), touch football, basketball

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
At the start of 2025, after visiting Phuket and training alongside MMA professionals.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Anything and everything. I love the game — grappling, striking, sparring, weights, even talking about concepts and techniques.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My ability to adapt, my length, athleticism, and understanding of my gameplans and goals.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Sharp, clinical, and creative.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — because anything can happen. Nothing is promised.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Cristiano Ronaldo

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Israel Adesanya or Carlos Prates

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Win fights → fight for and win the Eternal belt → fight on DWCS → fight in the UFC.

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Finding my range early, landing big shots, and finishing the fight.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
I wouldn’t be here without you all. I appreciate the support always.

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

Watch Ran Deng fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Shai Krimotat

Full Name:
Shai Krimotat

Age:
23

Where were you born:
Sydney, Australia

Where do you live:
Sydney, Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Igor MMA

Who are your coaches:
Igor Breakenback, Josh Culibao

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
N/A

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Played soccer for most of youth before switching to MMA

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
As soon as I walked into the gym — I haven’t looked back since

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring, because it’s when I get to really test everything I’ve been working on

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Adaptability — being able to mix it up and adjust to opponents to come out with the win

How would you describe your fighting style:
Measured

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — since starting, it’s the only sport I consistently consume weekly. Easy to appreciate from techniques to storylines to the mental battles.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Alexander Volkanovski

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Alexander Volkanovski

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Stay present and focus on where I’m at right now — good things will follow

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Entertaining yet technical fights

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
A competitive back-and-forth fight where ultimately I get my hand raised

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Appreciate all the support — wouldn’t be where I’m at without the circle I have surrounding me

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @shaikrimotat1
TikTok: @shaikrimotat

Watch Shai Krimotat fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Takeshi Taniguchi

Full Name:
Takeshi Taniguchi

Age:
27

Where were you born:
Japan

Where do you live:
Kobe

Which gym do you train out of:
CMBT and Shoot Gym Kobe

Who are your coaches:

  • CMBT: Miles Muecke, Jesse Yada, Brentin Mumford
  • Shoot Gym Kobe: Daiki Tubota, Kenya Hattori, Billy Hoker

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Eternal Flyweight Champion

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Soccer, Skateboarding, Snowboarding, BMX

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
When the coronavirus was spreading

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
All — enjoy and look forward to the next

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Staying calm amid excitement; also, try not to get drunk

How would you describe your fighting style:
NRL, NHL, Boxing (inspired by multiple sports)

What is your favourite sport and why:
Just amazing

Who is your favourite athlete:
Japanese sumo fighter Chiyo no Fuji

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Same

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To be able to play future matches without injury while still enjoying love of martial arts

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Beer — extremely exciting

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Extremely exciting

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
The reason I am able to fight like this is thanks to my teammates and family. Thank you as always.
If there’s something we don’t like, let’s turn it upside down. We’re not a company or a school, we’re the best of fellow, we’ll light a fire under each other’s asses and push each other to the top. Let’s go see some great scenery.

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

Watch Takeshi Taniguchi fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Wes Capper

Full Name:
Wes Capper

Age:
37

Where were you born:
Australia

Where do you live:
Perth

Which gym do you train out of:
Scrappy MMA, Costa Academy

Who are your coaches:
Ben Vickers & Danny Petanovic

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
Couple here and there

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Ballet

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
18

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Eating

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My good looks

How would you describe your fighting style:
Deadly

What is your favourite sport and why:
Chess — mind games.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Steven Bradbury

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Roy Jones Jr.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Stay alive

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

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Left right, goodnight

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Tomorrow’s never guaranteed

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

Watch Wes Capper fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Anthony Drilich

Full Name:
Anthony Drilich

Age:
31

Where were you born:
Logan, Queensland

Where do you live:
Perth, Western Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Scrappy MMA, DCA MMA

Who are your coaches:
Ben Vickers, Brandon Drilich, Josh Della, Ryan Gray

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, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, BJJ, and MMA

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
I started taking MMA seriously as a hobby at 14, and as a profession around 22.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
My favourite aspect of MMA is how dynamic it is — it’s always evolving with new skills and techniques. My favourite session is sparring because I can test new techniques on my training partners.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
My dedication to learning and improving, along with my sheer will and ferocity.

How would you describe your fighting style:
A mix of sharp striking and grappling.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA — because of its ever-evolving techniques, skills, and the strategies that come into play during a fight.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Manny Pacquiao

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Fedor Emelianenko

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To get into the UFC.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Fireworks and a smart, technical fighter.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
With my arm raised in the second round — either by submission or KO.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you to all my family, friends, and supporters for having faith in me. I’ll see you all on October 11 with the belt around my waist.

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

Watch Anthony Drilich fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Brentin Mumford

Full Name:
Brentin Mumford

Age:
38

Where were you born:
Lismore

Where do you live:
Gold Coast

Which gym do you train out of:
CMBT Training Centre

Who are your coaches:
Miles Muecke

What belts or rankings do you currently possess as a martial artist:
None

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Ice hockey

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
Fighting since 2011.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Sparring.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:
Exciting.

How would you describe your fighting style:
Exciting.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Don’t have one.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
Don’t have one.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
Stay above ground.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
An exciting fight for however long it lasts.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
Back and forth striking battle.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Tune in — you never know when the gloves will be hung up for good.

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

Watch Brentin Mumford fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.

Know Your Fighter: Abdalla Biyada

Full Name:
Abdalla Biyada

Age:
29

Where were you born:
Khartoum North, Sudan

Where do you live:
Western Australia

Which gym do you train out of:
Kickass MMA

Who are your coaches:
Steve Kennedy, Ben Vikers, Zach Welch

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

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:
Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Boxing

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:
2022

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:
Strength and conditioning — it pushes your mentality, that’s why it’s my favourite.

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

How would you describe your fighting style:
A mixed martial artist — I mix everything to get a win, no matter what.

What is your favourite sport and why:
MMA, because I get to mix all the disciplines of combat sport together. Best sport in the world.

Who is your favourite athlete:
Myself first, then Terence Crawford, Michael Jordan, and GSP.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:
GSP, Anderson Silva, and Demetrious Johnson.

What are your immediate and long-term goals:
To become a three-division world champion and be inducted into the UFC. To be the greatest martial artist that’s ever lived.

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:
Extreme violence, blood on the canvas, and nonstop action.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:
I see my hands raised. Expect a stoppage — either by submission or KO. I’m looking to finish this fight.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:
Thank you all for always believing in me and supporting me. I appreciate the love and support — we’re going to take this to the TOP.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you (socials):
Instagram: @nubianwarrior_
Facebook: Abdalla.biyada
TikTok: @abiyada3

Watch Abdalla Biyada fight at Eternal MMA 99 on Saturday, October 11.