Born on August 5, 1993, in Launceston, Tasmania, Shaun Etchell’s path to becoming one of Eternal MMA’s most iconic champions began far from the cage. A natural athlete, he grew up playing AFL, racking up more than 150 senior games before making a life-changing switch to combat sports. At just 18, he walked into a gym for the first time, trained for two weeks to take his first amateur fight, and only three weeks later made his professional debut. It was the kind of boldness that would come to define his career.
Under the guidance of longtime coaches Steve Wallace and Twigs Millwood at Furnace MMA and the Launceston Boxing Club, Etchell built a reputation for his relentless pace, explosive speed, and endurance. His walkouts, backed by Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival, became an unmistakable signal for fans , “The Buzzsaw” was coming. Etchell’s style was all pressure: a forward-moving storm of striking and aggression that kept opponents guessing and audiences on their feet.
That energy carried him to history. On July 19, 2014, at Eternal 6, Etchell crossed the Bass Strait with an undefeated record to face hometown favourite Tim “Quickdraw” Moore at a sold-out Coolangatta Hotel. Headlining an eight-fight card, the two flyweights went to war trading takedowns, scrambles, and exchanges the full distance. When the dust settled, Etchell’s hand was raised by unanimous decision, crowning him the first-ever Eternal Flyweight Champion and marking Tasmania’s arrival on the national MMA map.
Years later, after a brief hiatus from competition, Etchell returned to the cage to chase something no one had achieved before. On May 7, 2021, at Eternal 59 in Melbourne, he stepped up to challenge “Slammin” Sam Hibberd for the bantamweight title. It was a main event worthy of the moment, five hard-fought rounds of grit and skill, with Etchell once again dictating the pace. When the judges delivered their verdict, it was unanimous. Etchell had done it again, this time making history as Eternal’s first-ever two-division champion.
Following that triumph, Etchell’s performances earned him an opportunity to represent Australia on the international stage through Road to UFC. Even though he didn’t come away with the win, he showed the same grit, heart, and determination that made him a fan favourite back home: the kind of fighter who never backs down, no matter the stage.
From humble beginnings in Launceston to standing atop two weight divisions, Shaun Etchell’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and pressure. He’s faced and fought against some of Australia’s toughest names, including Shane Parker and Rod Costa, sharing the cage with fellow icons who helped shape the country’s MMA landscape. Every time Bad Moon Rising hits the speakers, fans know exactly what’s coming: chaos, heart, and the unmistakable buzz of a fighter who made history and gave them some of the most memorable nights in the Eternal cage.
Shaun Etchell returns to the cage at legendary Eternal 100 on Friday, November 14 in a rematch with Sam Hibberd. Book your tickets now to Eternal 100 now.
