Rod Costa has double-champ ambitions ahead of Eternal 71.

Eternal MMA returns to Perth this Saturday for Eternal 71 with another strong card of fighters set to impress the Western Australian audience.

Standing atop the bill for his third main event in a row will be local fan-favourite and former featherweight title challenger, Rod Costa.

Coming off an impressive submission win at Eternal 68 over an eager up-and-comer in Michael Mannu in his bantamweight debut, Costa has no doubt that he has rightfully earned his second shot at Eternal silver wear.

“I think some people were saying that they didn’t understand why it was a number one contender fight, because he hadn’t fought in a couple years,” said Costa.

“To be honest, even though I got the finish and didn’t get myself into too much trouble, he was very good. Things just clicked for me in that fight.

“I’m happy because it was my first bantamweight fight. I think I made the weight easy. I felt really good on the day, and I really do think he’s one of the best guys I’ve fought in terms of skill.

A successful Bantamweight debut for Rod Costa.

“I felt like it was a really good win because I felt his potential. I’m looking forward to seeing who he fights next and how that goes because I don’t think he sat on the couch for two years doing nothing (prior to our fight), I think he was training, and he was very sharp.”

After mounting back-to-back wins against two of Australia’s elite regional scene contenders in Justin Van Heerden and Diego Pereira, Costa would ultimately fall short in his first bid for a title belt at the hands of former Eternal MMA featherweight champion and now UFC prospect, Jack Jenkins.

Fighting at featherweight for most of his career, Costa saw an opportunity for a competitive reboot with a drop down in weight class.

In a move that paid immediate dividends, Costa shared that while the extra cut in weight was always going to be mental challenge, the physical rewards were ultimately worth the added stress.

“I felt really good,” said Costa.

“It’s what everyone goes through – the more you cut, the more training camp becomes a bit more of a daunting task. The more you can concentrate on technique and improving in other aspects instead of focusing on your weight, I think the better it is.”

“The good part is that I feel really strong for the weight. I feel like it would be hard to find someone that could overpower me. Even if they were bigger than me, it would be hard to find someone that would be stronger than me.

“I remember talking to Mannu and he was heavier than me on the day (of the fight). I felt like strength for strength I did pretty good in that division.

“On the day, I felt really good. I felt fit, I felt like I could go forever.”

With his attention now turned to another main event title fight on October 29th at the HBF Stadium, Costa feels he is more prepared than ever to make the biggest statement of his professional career.

Across the other side of cage from him will be Tasmanian native and former Eternal MMA bantamweight champion – Shaun Etchell.

Following an unsuccessful bid to earn himself a shot in the UFC with a first-round loss at ‘Road to the UFC 2’ in Singapore, Etchell will be looking to regain the title that he ultimately gave up in pursuit of the highly coveted intentional opportunity.

As far as Costa is concerned, he will be expecting to face a dangerous Shaun Etchell in search of redemption.

“I expect the best version of Shaun Etchell, because if it was me and I had come off a (lost) opportunity like that, I would be eager to jump straight back into another opportunity to prove that I’m better than my last showing.

“I think that’s what I did with Jenkins. I was so eager to come back and prove that I can do better.”

“I think if you are a competitive guy, which I think Etchell is, as soon as you lose, you just want that loss gone. So, I think he’s eager to come back, I think he’s going to fight as hard as he’s ever fought. I think he’s coming for it.

“I think I’m going to get the best Etchell we have ever seen.”

It’s no secret to any MMA fan who has seen Rod Costa fight that his biggest weapons lie within his truly world-class grappling game. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the world-renowned Filipe Pena as well as former medallist at the IBJJF world championships, Costa has earned himself a well-deserved reputation as being one of the most dangerous submission specialists in Australia today.

Costa’s strengths definitely lie in his grappling.

With Etchell’s recent loss coming by way of first round submission, Costa believes he will be able to find the same path to victory, though he concedes that it will be no easy task against such a high-level opponent.

“His last fight was a quick fight; he got caught with a submission and my strong game is submissions,” he said.

“I did watch that fight, people kept telling me that the way he lost is the best part of my game and so it’s a good matchup for me. But I don’t like to think that the match is going to be easier than what it’s going to be and then he comes out he’s fixed the holes that made him get caught-out in his last fight.”

“Like any fight I have, my goal is to try and get a good position with my grappling and finish from there. But also with every fight, I don’t want to rush and try to get there too quick and then make a mistake and pay for that mistake.”

“I like the match he had with Sam Hibberd, which was back and forth, and he showed a lot of heart. He basically out-paced and out-hearted Hibberd. So, I’m expecting that type of fight.”

With a renewed focus and another win under his belt, Costa is primed to make waves in the new weight class that he will compete for a championship in at Eternal 71.

As for any prospects at his former 65.7kg stomping ground, Costa is adamant that he has every intention of returning to featherweight sooner rather than later.

“I want the featherweight title after this one,” he said.

“There’s a card in February. If I’m good to go, I want to be on that card in Perth and I’d like that to be for the featherweight title. But I don’t know how quick those boys that are going to fight (for the featherweight title at Eternal 72) would want to and defend it or even if Eternal would give that shot to me. I just think it’s a really good option.”

With his previous title bout adversary having vacated the Eternal featherweight title for the UFC, Costa believes it could be the perfect opportunity to achieve double-champ status on Australian soil.

Having previously bested the two men who will compete for the vacant featherweight title at Eternal 72, Costa looks to be in prime position to see his long-term vision become reality.

“If Jenkins was still the champion, I don’t think I would get that shot, but I beat Diego (Pereira) and I beat (Justin) Van Heerden. So, I think it’s a really good story and a very good chance that I could fight for that (featherweight) title whichever way that fight goes. I think I would be a fool to not take that chance.

“If Eternal does want to give that chance to me – if I win the bantamweight title, that would be my first option. But if not, if those guys don’t want to defend that quickly, I’d still like to take a matchup in February if I’m healthy.”

Never one to overlook an upcoming opponent, Costa has always cut pensive figure when discussing his future. Never one to make brazen predictions on the outcomes of his matchups, Costa has historically laid out his plans for the long-term future while seemingly being at peace with any potential outcomes – for better or worse.

Costa has double-champ aspirations.

It is the kind of old school mentality of a storied combat sports athlete that is refreshing to see; an approach to his ambitions that reads something of a ‘let’s draw straws and see who’s going to dance’ type of story, while always being rightfully confident in his ability to get the job done. It is that same mentality and approach to his game that has led to Costa slowly becoming one of the most popular fighters competing under the Eternal MMA banner.

While he still harbours the dream of competing at an international level, Costa sees no other place he would rather compete on home soil than the organisation he believes gives athletes their biggest platform to shine in this part of the world.

“It’s no secret, I’m getting older, I’m trying to look for some kind of international opportunity,” said Costa matter-of-factly.

“I wouldn’t fight for anyone else here in Australia, I wouldn’t fight for any of these other promotions. I’m sticking with Eternal for obvious reasons. Not just because I train with Ben (Vickers) and the other guys – it’s the best promotion to give you a future in the sport. The more wins I get with Eternal, the better it is for me.”

“Obviously I have lofty goals. It might not happen at all, but if I’m planning the best future for me (it would be) – get the bantamweight (title), get the featherweight (title), then I (could) defend them once or twice, but always looking to the next international opportunity if I can get something.”

  • Eternal 71 main card can be viewed Saturday, October 29th live and exclusive on UFC Fight Pass.

SPOTLIGHT: JENKINS VS COSTA

The premiere mixed martial arts organisation in Australia is finally back in action for the first time in  2022 after a monumental run of stellar fight cards in the previous year.  

Eternal MMA navigated the uncertain waters of 2021 within the COVID pandemic to put on eight events in three different states across the country, featuring seven title fights inside four different  weight classes, four of which saw new belt holders emerge. 

One of the combatants who managed to retain the gold around their waste during the 2021 period  was the man who will once again look to defend his title in the upcoming Eternal 64 main event – featherweight champion, Jack Jenkins. 

Jenkins retained his title back at Eternal 57.

A surging Australian prospect on the regional scene, Jenkins has quickly made a name for himself as  a well-rounded fighter with a solid cardio base, high level defensive awareness and proven finishing  abilities, stopping four of his last five opponents while riding a five-fight win-streak. 

Much of Jenkins’ success up until this point in his career can be directly attributed to an unwavering  dedication to his craft. A country boy at heart out of Bacchus Marsh, Victoria – two-hour round trips  from home to his gym in the Melbourne suburbs – as well as often sleeping at the gym, point directly  to a man driven to succeed at the highest level. 

Currently sitting at 8-2-0 in his professional career, Jenkins will be looking to add some polish to his  record with a second title defence when he steps inside the cage at the GC Sports Precinct against  rising contender and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion – Rod Costa. 

Speaking with Eternal MMA, Jenkins gave his thoughts on the upcoming title fight and his career  trajectory until now and beyond. 

“I’m clearly the number one as I am right now, and Rod’s clearly the number two with the body of  work that he’s put in in the last couple of years. So, we’re going to get to it and then I think if I win  this one, I should be right to get to the UFC.” 

“I think it’s a good matchup for me. I’ve tried to build my style around not having a kryptonite – not  having one style that’s going to throw me off. My last three matches have been against grappling  specialists. To put that into account, I think that Rod is the best grappler (out of all of them). But in  saying that he’s been cracking people with his hands as well. 

“I’ve just got to be sharp and work my way in, but I’ve got five rounds to do it and that works in my  favour.” 

“If I win this one, I should be right to get to the UFC.”

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt in his own right, Jenkins believes that he will feel comfortable  controlling the fight no matter the direction it takes, but it’s his gas tank and stand-up game where  he feels he has the clear advantage. 

“I think the cardio is one thing that will work in my favour, but I know Rod is fit too, so I’m not  discounting that. I think the cardio and the fact that I will be one step ahead on the feet will be the  difference.” 

“My biggest strength is that I don’t get hit much. You can go back and look through my ten fights and  you could probably count on two hands how many times I’ve taken a significant strike.”

Anybody who follows the social medias of the two combatants will perhaps be familiar with some of  the virtual stones that have been cast ahead of the match, with some accusations of looking for  “easy fights”. As far as Jenkins is concerned, it has been all one-way traffic in that respect. 

“If Rod and I had any kind of history or if we knew each other, I might get involved in it a little bit,”  said Jenkins of the online barbs. 

“I’ve spoken to Rod one time, I walked past him and shook his hand and said, ‘good fight, mate’ and  he said, ‘yeah thanks mate’, and then I had a word to (current Eternal lightweight champion) Jack  Becker who was standing next to him. I don’t know if he thinks he can just make it up on the spot  and I’m just going to bite at it, but I’m not really interested in that. 

“Rod’s a good fighter, I’m a good fighter and we’re going to and have a f**king scrap, so we’ll figure  it out from there.” 

The confidence levels for the Absolute MMA product are at an all time high and for good reason. At  twenty-eight years of age, the man they call “Phar” Jack is barely entering the prime years of his  fighting career in a rich vein of form. 

A submission finish over the supremely talented Diego Pereira in 2020 to win his first title, was  followed by up by two dominating TKO victories in 2021, one of which was his first title defence and  an avenged loss against fellow featherweight – Jesse Medina. 

Jenkins’ first title defence came at Eternal 57.

The overwhelming factor in both recent fights was the sustained pressure and devastating leg kicks  that neither of his opponents could keep a poker face to. If Jenkins is to retain his title at Eternal 64,  he knows his heavy leg kicks are something he can always rely on to set the tone early, before he  sees himself getting his hand raised mid-way through the five-round fight. 

“I see it as a third round or fourth round finish,” he said. 

“I’ll have to keep my base pretty low early on and watch out for his left hook. He throws a nice left  hook off the break, and he’s got a good strong double (leg takedown) that he gets low on, so I’ll have  to keep my frame low early on. 

“I think I’ll touch his eye enough with my jab to set my distance early, and once that’s on it will just  be about taking my time. But that’s the beauty of a five-round fight. I look at the five-round fight as a  positive, not a negative, because you just get more time to work.” 

“If the finish is there, I’m going to jump on it and take it, but my plan is to do the damage over the  rounds that I’ve got rather than trying to get it done quick.” 

Of course, the man meeting Jenkins across the other side of the cage has a different scenario in mind  for the outcome of this highly anticipated title matchup. 

Riding his own hot form with five wins in his last six fights, Scrappy MMA’s Rod Costa is ready to put  his evolved skill set to the test against the reigning champ. 

If not for an extremely close decision loss against Jenkins’ teammate – Kaan Ofli (a fight in which  many fans were split down the middle in terms of who they thought won), Costa would currently be  sitting on a six-fight winning streak of his own.

Costa VS Ofli was a closely contested split decision.

Not one to dwell on what could have been in terms of win streaks, Costa’s focus is completely set on  the challenge that lies ahead and whatever obstacles Jenkins may present as an opponent. 

“I’m going to go out there and feel him up standing, if he does something that I feel presents a  takedown to me, I’ll take it,” said Costa. 

“If I go in there and he starts catching me with punches, I’m not that proud that I’m going to (feel  like) I have to prove that I can stand with Jack Jenkins. I don’t give a f**k. 

“But I don’t see that he’s got anything different than the other guys (previous opponents) had, to be  honest. He’s a little bit more powerful, I think. If you’ve seen him fight the last few times, he’s got  that calf kick that he hurt people with.” 

“For everyone that knows whats happening in this fight, it’s a matter of ‘is he able to hurt me with  those calf kicks? Is his striking going to be enough to overpower me?’ 

“On the floor, I’m not really worried. If he ends up on top, if he plans to take me down, it doesn’t  really matter. On the floor, I’m just comfortable wherever it goes.” 

Dedicated fight fans will be familiar with the evolution of Costa’s arsenal during his time as a  professional mixed martial artist. A world class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with his own gym, Costa  has shown off a much-improved striking game in his recent fights, demonstrating a fearless attitude  to stand and bang with the other elite strikers the Eternal MMA featherweight division has to offer. 

A grappler at heart, Costa is now happy to stand-and-trade, too.

It is this mindset coupled with a now highly dynamic skill and recent run of wins that has earned  Costa his first title shot, though he can’t help but speculate as to why this matchup took so long to  come to fruition. 

“I’ve only ever had one interaction with Jack Jenkins face to face. It was after I fought Kaan (Ofli),  and he was super nice to me – super respectful.  

“I’ve got nothing against him, I just just want to fight him. I think I’ve said this stuff a few times, I  don’t want to be repetitive, but I wanted to fight him and either him or someone on his team kept  refusing.” 

A recent venture for Jenkins to another MMA promotion outside of Eternal MMA also saw Costa  questioning Jenkins’ motives when it comes to fighting local competition. 

“Why would you rather fight a guy that’s 4-4, hasn’t fought in two years, in a show that no one  knows, that doesn’t bring any views, that the UFC doesn’t know what it is – rather than fighting me  on an Eternal show for a belt? 

“That (Rogue MMA) belt means nothing. Who the f**k cares about (a) Rogue MMA belt? It’s the first  fight they had. The dude is the champion of a shit promotion, who gives a f**k? He should have  fought me. If he’s that confident that he’s that good that he should be in the UFC, he should have  fought me.  

“And he might beat me, but he didn’t want to take that fight and that’s a fact and that’s all I care  about.”

The Rod Costa that fans have come to know and love during is time with Eternal MMA is one that is  willing to take any fight, anywhere at any time, even on short notice. Costa is as real as it gets. While  conceding that Jenkins has the tools to beat him, he just doesn’t believe the champion outweighs  him when it comes to heart. 

“I think he’s got a lot of doubts in his head,” said Costa. 

“Either because of him, or because of his team not wanting to fight me. He might be a tough fighter,  he might f**k me up, he might hurt my leg heaps, but I think I’m just way tougher than he is.  

“I’ve got a lot more heart, and it doesn’t matter what happens in the fight I see myself raising my  hand for sure. Not even because I’m a better fighter or anything, I just think I have more heart than  him and I’m going to find a way to win.” 

“I think he’s used to people who quit, and I’m not going to quit. He might knock me out, he might  f**k my leg up to pieces, but not going to quit, I guarantee you this. 

“I don’t think he has what it takes to go to the deep waters with me, but we’ll see. Maybe I’m wrong.  That’s the beauty of MMA.” 

Stylistically speaking, this is one of the most intriguing title fights in recent Australian MMA history. Both athletes can boast a deep toolbox of skills to rely on.  

On paper it may appear that it’s a classic case of striker vs grappler, and to a degree that is accurate.  But with submission victories on the champs record and the recent evolution of the challengers’ striking abilities, this is certainly a matchup that could have it all from both sides. 

On March 19th, we will get the answer as to who the number one featherweight in the country truly  is.

Eternal 2020-2021 Financial Year Review

    With Australia’s COVID-19 situation under tight policies and travel control, Eternal MMA proves that it is Australia’s number one MMA organisation by delivering eight events to live audiences in the 2020-2021 Financial Year.

    Eternal director Cam O’Neill says, “It’s very exciting to see the growth that Eternal MMA has made as a company in the last financial year, a year that saw a pandemic decimate sports leagues worldwide. Eternal again delivered eight nationwide shows to live audiences as well provided opportunities in a difficult time for athletes.”

    The last twelve months were unprecedented for the company with challenges to overcome, but with these challenges, Eternal has gone from strength to strength. With eight events over three major cities, fight fans in Perth, Melbourne and Gold Coast (Brisbane) were able to attend and watch live the best Australia MMA fights to date.

    “We are still in uncertain times with travel and attendance at events uncertain as Australia slips back into a series of lockdowns and increased travel restrictions. The company will continue to deliver, as we’re constantly working to react, adapt and overcome” stated Cam.

    Along with record attending audiences nationwide, new records were set from financial payouts to the athletes, numbers on worldwide audiences viewership and a numerous athletes on the Eternal roster making it to the international fight scene.

    “One of our goals when establishing Eternal MMA was to build Oceania’s number one MMA promotion and provide a pathway to the world’s number one organisation, the UFC. It’s been satisfying to sit here, nine years later after setting these goals to see more athletes that have plied their trade and carried out their apprenticeship on Eternal graduate to UFC and debut in the last financial year.” – Cam O’Neill, Eternal MMA Director

    “It has been a great year for the Eternal team; actions speak louder than words. These numbers to me are a testament to the work we put in, raising the bar for Australian MMA. Personally all I’m concerned about is rolling my sleeves up, getting back in the trenches and making these numbers look silly in twelve months time. None of this is possible without the support of fighters, coaches, family, fans and the Eternal team. I cant wait to put on some amazing fights for our fans in the 21/22 FY.” – Ben Vickers, Eternal MMA Director

    With that goal checked, Eternal MMA also set a new one for the books with “King” Casey O’Neill (2-0 UFC) being the first fighter to go through the pathway from debuting as an amateur on Eternal, progress through to as a professional and win an Eternal MMA championship title and now begin the journey to define her legacy on the world’s biggest stage.

    LIVE Eternal, REIGN Supreme.