Main Card Results (UFC Fight Pass):
Kuya Ito defeats Rod Costa (c) via Split Decision - 135lbs Title
Anthony Drilich (c) defeats Max Hunter-Leali via KO/TKO Round 1 - 125lbs Title
David Martinez defeats Wes Capper via Unanimous Decision (30-27) - 155lbs Title #1 Contender Fight
Jack Becker defeats Koshi Matsumoto via Unanimous Decision (30-26 x 2, 30-27) - 155lbs
Kevin Kophamel defeats Joe Davis via Submission (Round 1 - 4:56) - 145lbs
Khan Deatta defeats Hoshi Friedrich via KO/TKO (Round 1 - 3:46) - 170lbs
Main Event: Rod Costa (c) vs. Kuya Ito - Bantamweight Title
In a perplexing contest, Rod Costa's grappling prowess was on full display against Japans Kuya Ito. Costa controlled the early rounds with takedown after takedown, and high level ground dominance. Despite Ito's spirited efforts in the exchanges, he did seem to land more ‘damage’ to Costa when strikes were to fly. After a pretty lackluster main event, Rod Costa found himself on the wrong side of a split decision when the fight head to the judges, handing the title to Ito. Eternal MMA now has their first international champion. It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out with the Eternal MMA 135lb title now residing nearly 8,000km away…
Co-Main Event: Anthony Drilich (c) vs. Max Hunter-Leali - Flyweight Title
Anthony Drilich showcased his striking power once again, ending Max Hunter-Leali's challenge in dramatic fashion. Drilich dropped Hunter-Leali with a late first-round flurry, knocking him out cold with just seconds left on the clock. A statement finish that retained his title impressively. He ultimately called for a shot in the UFC post fight, and it’s starting to get hard to argue.
Fight 4: Wes Capper vs. David Martinez - Lightweight
David Martinez's relentless grappling proved too much for Wes Capper in this #1 contender fight. Despite Capper's resilience and brief striking success, Martinez controlled the bout with takedowns and ground pressure. Martinez secured a unanimous decision victory after three dominant rounds. Martinez will now book a flight back to Perth in August to take on the newly signed Harry Webb for a shot at the recently vacated lightweight crown.
Fight 3: Jack Becker vs. Koshi Matsumoto - Lightweight
Jack Becker's calculated approach paid off as he methodically dismantled the 40 fight veteran Koshi Matsumoto. Becker landed the cleaner strikes throughout, even rocking Matsumoto with a flying knee. Becker sealed his unanimous decision win (30-26 x2, 30-27). It was a nice emotional full circle moment for the man that lay in the same spot with a snapped leg just two years earlier..
Fight 2: Kevin Kophamel vs. Joe Davis - Featherweight
Kevin Kophamel returned to the cage with a vengeance after a 2 year layoff, defeating Joe Davis via submission. After some early grappling exchanges and a couple of inadvertent low blows, which cost Kevin a point, Kophamel capitalised on a sprawl to secure a modified guillotine choke, ending the bout at 4:56 of the first round.
Fight 1: Khan Deatta vs. Hoshi Friedrich - Welterweight
Khan Deatta made quick work of Hoshi Friedrich, finishing the fight with a left hook followed by ground strikes. Deatta's dominant TKO victory marks his resurgence in the division, and he set his sights on a title shot by calling out top contenders Lachlan Sitt and John Vake.
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Overall, Eternal MMA 85 delivered an action-packed night with a mix of strategic grappling and explosive knockouts, leaving fans eager for the next event. There’s plenty of story lines and highlights to recap, so be sure to check out Australian MMA on Youtube & Spotify for the breakdown soon…
- Mitchell Tinley
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