Aldin Bates, a 37-year-old Australian MMA fighter with English & Jamaican heritage, is making waves in the Australian MMA scene.
Training out of Wolves Den Academy in Joondalup, Western Australia, under coach Stephen Walton and mentored by UFC veteran Ross Pearson, Bates is proving that age is just a number when it comes to knockout power. With an impressive 9-3 record, including a win over current UFC #9-ranked welterweight Jack Della Maddalena, Bates is on a mission to break into the UFC, despite the promotion's notorious preference for younger fighters.
Bates' career highlight came earlier this year when he claimed the Hex Fight Series 170-pound title by defeating now UFC fighter Jono Micallef in a thrilling fourth-round stoppage, a bout many called a "Fight of the Year" contender. While Micallef later earned a UFC contract by defeating Matt Vaile and Mohammed Ado on Dana White's Contender Series, it was Bates who handed him his toughest & only loss. However, controversy struck when Bates was later stripped of his title just 6 months into his reign, to pave the way for a Kitt Campbell vs. Kaleb Rideout.
Bates' relentless pursuit of success continues as he now prepares for a high-stakes clash against Ireland’s Stephen Costello (5-2) at Eternal MMA 89, set to air on UFC Fight Pass. Costello, a rising star in European MMA and the Fight 2 One Champion from Spain, trains under the renowned John Kavanagh and David Roche at Straight Blast Gym, home to UFC stars like Conor McGregor. This interim welterweight title bout is a critical opportunity for Bates to reclaim his dominance and prove that his knockout power can’t be ignored, even by the UFC.
At 37, Bates faces an uphill battle against the UFC's tendency to overlook older fighters, but his devastating knockouts and his relentless drive make him a wildcard. Known for his ability to end fights in brutal fashion, Bates is keen to showcase his skills on the biggest stage and force UFC president Dana White to take notice.
This upcoming fight is loaded with storylines beyond Bates' quest for redemption. On the same card, his teammate Moses Deng will look to bounce back after a knockout loss, while rising star Steven Wong, a long-term training partner of UFC prospect Quillan Salkilld, makes his technical pro debut after years in the amateur ranks. Another fight to watch is Laurence Whitesmith vs. Kye Bicknell, which is already generating buzz as a potential Fight of the Night.
The co-main event will see Raymart Quintana, trained by UFC veterans Suman and Ashkan Mokhtarian, continue his quest for UFC glory after a five-year layoff. Quintana shocked the MMA world by knocking out former UFC fighter 'Blood Diamond' and will now face Daichi Kamiya. Originally scheduled to fight Chris Fishgold, a former Cage Warriors champion and UFC veteran, Quintana has quickly become one of Australia’s most underrated fighters.
For Aldin Bates, Eternal MMA 89 is more than just another fight, It’s a chance to defy expectations, prove that age is no barrier to success in MMA, and, perhaps, force the UFC to reconsider its unofficial stance on signing fighters over 33. With a proven track record of victories over elite talent and a fighting style that delivers highlight-reel knockouts, Bates is determined to make his name in the sport's biggest promotion. Can Bates land another knockout blow and prove he belongs in the UFC? All eyes will be on him as he takes centre stage at Eternal MMA 89.
Check the event out LIVE in person at HBF Stadium or on UFC Fight Pass at 6pm AWST on October 26th - TICKETS
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