Eternal MMA 93 Full Fight Card

Main Card

Flyweight Main Event

Anthony Drilich vs Brian Hyslop

Drilich returns to the cage after a challenging stint on Dana White's Contender Series, where he faced a unanimous decision loss to fellow Australian Sean Gauci... Despite the setback, Drilich remains determined to make a statement and fast-track his path to a UFC contract once more, beginning with his upcoming bout against Scotland's Brian Hyslop.

With what seems like dynamite in his hands, Drilich possesses the tools to secure a decisive finish. However, Hyslop brings a wealth of experience and resilience, aiming to derail Drilich's plans. At 33, Hyslop is dropping down from bantamweight to seize this opportunity, as he seeks to continue his career rejuvenation after several setbacks. He’s fought just twice in the past decade, having been a promising 6-2 in 2014.

This matchup sets the stage for an exciting clash of styles, with Drilich’s knockout power meeting Hyslop’s well-rounded experience. Both fighters are hungry to make a statement, making this a pivotal contest that could shape the next phase of their careers.

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Flyweight Division

Ryan Jankowski vs Percival Mwambi

In a compelling rematch, Jankowski and Mwambi meet again, this time on the professional stage... nearly three years after their initial amateur bout where Mwambi secured a unanimous decision victory. Both fighters have since honed their skills, becoming well-rounded martial artists, making their upcoming strategies on Saturday night an intriguing spectacle.

Jankowski, known for his striking prowess, will likely aim to keep the fight standing, utilising his reach and precision to control the bout. Conversely, Mwambi, who describes his fighting style as technical violence, is confident in his ability to match Jankowski on the feet but may seek to take the fight to the ground, where he can explore his dangerous submission skills.

This matchup promises a blend of tactical striking and grappling exchanges, as both athletes strive to showcase their evolution since their last encounter.

Welterweight Division

Adam Lawrence vs Farhood Khalatbar

This fight announcement has grabbed attention nationwide as Khalatbar steps in for Benjie Tabaranza to make his Eternal and professional debut on the main card. Lawrence, who started his amateur career 0-3, also enters the pro ranks riding a three-fight amateur win streak. Both fighters carry serious knockout power, with Khalatbar fully aware of the challenge ahead. “Adam doesn’t have many holes in his game. He is a well-rounded fighter. This matchup will come down to who brings more heat, who sets the higher pace, and who wants the win more.”

Despite not yet making his professional debut, Khalatbar has long treated fighting as a full-time pursuit. The prominent figure at Australian Top Team, he holds a karate black belt, as well as a BJJ blue belt. “I haven’t had a camp,” he explains. “I am a 365-day fighter, always grinding and in the gym. Every aspect of my game needs work week in and week out.” What fuels that relentless drive? “My motivation is simple. I want to be a UFC pay-per-view star. When my name is on a card, people talk. I am the most watched, the most looked at. I put in the hard work, and the fans get what they pay for. Win or lose, I put on a show.”

With both men eager to make a statement in their professional debuts, this matchup has all the makings of a must-watch fight.

Featherweight Division

Julian Giustinian vs Jesse Swain

Both fighters are eager to return to the win column after recent setbacks, finding themselves matched up after their original opponents withdrew. As a result, Swain will make both his professional and Eternal debut, while Giustinian steps into the cage for his third professional fight and sixth appearance on an Eternal card. Both bring strong ground games, with Giustinian’s collegiate wrestling background making him a formidable challenge in grappling exchanges.

Swain makes the trip from Sydney alongside fellow main card competitor Farhood Khalatbar, representing Australian Top Team and looking to make an immediate impact in the professional ranks. While his well-rounded skill set has served him well in the amateurs, stepping up to this level presents a new challenge he is eager to embrace.

Giustinian, on the other hand, will be looking to use his experience and physicality to bounce back from his last outing. With both fighters having plenty to prove and the grappling battle likely to play a key role, this matchup could turn into a fast-paced chess match on the mat.

Lightweight Division

Owen Tincombe vs Emmanuel Ritti

Tincombe’s 4-3 record may not stand out at first glance, but a closer look at his three losses shows how he has faced quality opposition throughout his amateur career. After more than a year away from the octagon, he returns as a professional, carrying all four of his amateur wins by submission. His goal is clear, to get another finish within the 15-minute window. “After that, I plan to finish off my apprenticeship as a mechanic before I look for another matchup,” he explained, taking a more methodical approach to his development.

Looking to spoil Tincombe’s pro debut, Ritti enters the fight riding the momentum of a highlight-reel first-round knockout at Hex 33 less than three months ago. The quick turnaround could play to his advantage, giving him a sharpness and confidence that Tincombe may need time to settle into after his layoff.

Both fighters are well-rounded and bring an aggressive style, making a finish seem almost inevitable. Whether it is Tincombe’s slick submissions or Ritti’s knockout power, fans should expect an exciting start to the main card.

Flyweight Division

Jesse Wynne vs Sang Kyu Park

After headlining Domination MMA 9 with an impressive bantamweight performance against Louis Christophersen, Wynne was set to return to flyweight for his professional debut against Korea’s Sang Kyu Park. However, with Park withdrawing, Wynne is now without an opponent this weekend unless someone steps up on late notice.

Prelims

Lightweight Bout

Wyatt Fraser vs Ayden Todoroff

Headlining the preliminary card, both fighters take the leap to the professional ranks as they continue their promising MMA careers. At just 19 years old, Todoroff has ambitions beyond his years, setting his sights on both the Eternal lightweight and featherweight championships. At 25, Fraser brings more experience to the cage, preparing for his seventh Eternal appearance after compiling an impressive 5-1 record in his previous six bouts.

Todoroff is a proven finisher with the skills to back it up, though he was unlucky last time out at DMMA 9, dropping a tough split decision. Determined to start his run toward double-champion status, he hopes to make a statement with a finish on Saturday.

Fraser, meanwhile, will look to match Todoroff on the feet while utilising his well-rounded grappling to keep Todoroff from dictating the pace.

Featherweight Bout

Paddy Cameron vs Nima Behrouz

The #5 and #9 amateur featherweights in the country collide in a highly anticipated matchup, with one rising prospect set to lose their undefeated record. Both have been active across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, entering the octagon with a combined 9-0 record over the past 24 months. Representing Kickass MMA and Scrappy MMA, they carry the banners of two of Australia’s top gyms into this clash.

The younger of the two, Behrouz, brings an impressive wrestling pedigree as both a state and national champion. He blends his grappling seamlessly with powerful boxing and has high ambitions for the future. “(I want to) keep winning fights. I’m hoping to go professional very soon, depending on how this fight plays out.”

Cameron, in contrast, only began training in 2021, a far cry from Behrouz’s deep wrestling background. However, he embraces the process of improving as a martial artist. “My favourite class is beginners BJJ because I’m a slow learner,” he told Eternal. Fighting started as a hobby to keep him out of trouble, but after this bout, he has plans to move to Thailand to train and meet his wife. Add to that his unconventional techniques, a touch of what he calls dark magic, and a nickname like Daddy, and Cameron has all the elements, inside and outside the cage, to capture attention.

With their unbeaten records on the line and unique personalities, this showdown has all the makings of a career-defining fight to remember.

Middleweight Bout

Harry Michetti-Bennet vs Noah Staines

Adelaide native Michetti-Bennet makes the trip across the Nullarbor, looking to take advantage of a huge opportunity to progress his career. “I’m always driven and motivated for every fight, but this one in particular against a tough and talented opponent,” he explained. “I want to get to that next level, and this is the perfect opportunity to get a finish against a talented up-and-comer.”

Staines has earned that respect with an incredible unbeaten run to start his career, going 3-0 in dominant fashion over the past eight months. He uses his powerful frame to control opponents, thriving when he can dictate the fight against the cage or on the ground. Michetti-Bennet sees his advantage on the feet if he can keep it there. “I feel like there will be openings. I can definitely see myself getting it done on the feet.”

This matchup is shaping up as a battle between Staines' suffocating control and Michetti-Bennet's striking precision.

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Flyweight Bout

Finn O’Keeffe vs Nathan Rousseau

After finding success at flyweight in his last outing at DMMA 9, O’Keeffee remains in the division as he makes the jump to the Eternal stage for a highly anticipated showdown with Rousseau. A dynamic and explosive prospect out of Scrappy MMA, O’Keeffee possesses lightning-fast speed and a high-paced style that makes him a dangerous threat in any exchange.

Standing across from him is Rousseau, an impressive talent in his own right. Known as The Bunbury Bruiser, he made his mark at Eternal 89 just a few months ago, delivering a dominant performance that earned him a unanimous decision victory. With O’Keeffee’s speed and explosiveness meeting Rousseau’s proven toughness and well-rounded skill set, this matchup has all the ingredients for an exciting clash between two rising flyweight prospects.

Featherweight Bout

Krane Burke vs Yohanes Lorot

Burke returns to Eternal after an unforgettable battle with Isaac Small, a Fight of the Night performance that, despite ending in a split-decision loss, showcased his grit and skill. This time, he hopes to deliver another crowd-pleasing war while securing a different result on the scorecards.

Standing in his way is Lorot, a dangerous and well-rounded prospect who enters the matchup with a significant 10cm height and reach advantage. Lorot will be equally motivated after finding himself on the wrong end of a controversial decision in his last outing. Determined to set the record straight, he brings a versatile skill set and the confidence to mix it up wherever the fight goes.

Bantamweight Bout

Louis Christophersen vs Joshua Thomas

Despite losing his undefeated amateur record to Jesse Wynne, Christophersen’s stock continued to rise with a strong performance, while Wynne went on to turn professional. Similarly, Thomas, who also suffered his first loss to Wynne, returns to the octagon after nearly a year away. The similarities do not end there as both fighters hold a blue belt in BJJ and share ambitions of turning professional in the near future.

At just 19 years old, Christophersen’s potential is clear as he prepares for his third Eternal appearance, edging closer to the main card. A key figure in the future of Wilkes MMA, he has already travelled as part of Steve Erceg’s corner and will play a prominent role in Erceg’s preparations for Mexico. Christophersen will look to impose his strong ground game to neutralise Thomas’ striking, while Thomas remains confident he can finish the fight early, predicting a knockout in the second or third round.

Christophersen describes his style as fireworks, while Thomas simply calls it violence. While both bring intensity, this matchup offers more than just chaos. Expect a high-level display of skill and precision from two of Australia’s most promising prospects.

Welterweight Bout

Rowan Breedt vs Kaleb Steinnokel

After nearly three years away from the octagon following a tough five-fight skid, Steinnokel made the move to Luistro Combat Academy in 2024 and is eager to showcase his refined skill set while getting back in the win column. Standing in his way is Breedt, a boxer out of Scrappy MMA who is just as comfortable wrestling as he is trading punches.

When Steinnokel last had his hand raised at Eternal 56 in February 2021, Breedt was still 14 months away from even starting MMA training, a testament to the unique nature of this matchup. Steinnokel’s coach, Romel Luistro, believes the time away and the change of camp have done him good. “He started his career hot at 3-0, then went on a slump. With the time off and moving to a new gym, he is coming back refreshed and ready to go. He loves to kickbox but is not shy to grapple either.”

Steinnokel agrees. “This has been the best fight camp I have ever had. Past camps were inconsistent because of FIFO work,” he explained. “Rowan has good hands and solid pressure, but I do not think he has faced someone like me. I am going to be a real test for him.”

For those expecting the Steinnokel of old, he promises they are in for a surprise. “People might think they will see the same fighter from two years ago, but they have no idea how much I have improved and matured.”

Featherweight Bout

Jack Hooper vs Jim Relleno

An intriguing featherweight matchup that could have put one fighter back in the win column will unfortunately not go ahead. Adding to his frustration, Relleno was unable to secure a short-notice replacement. “I told myself I was going to take a big break after Eternal,” he explained. “So, I probably won’t compete at DMMA 10 either.” Whatever comes next, his return to the octagon will be highly anticipated.

Meanwhile, Hooper remains focused on snapping a four-fight skid as he looks to get back on track.

Featherweight Bout

Joseph Bird vs Brian Lim

Kicking off the action on Saturday night, Bird will look to impose his elite ground game and smother his way to another dominant performance, having earned all three of his amateur victories by unanimous decision. Originally set to face Jesse Swain, who has since turned professional and secured a main card spot, Bird now prepares for a new challenge in Lim. Lim will aim to keep the fight standing and showcase the striking skills he displayed in his only other amateur appearance at DMMA 9.

Welterweight Bout

Aron Santino vs George Va’a

The opening fight of the card has been lost, with Va’a forced to withdraw from his Eternal debut. However, he remains optimistic about his return. “I’ll be back for Domination next month,” he stated, a promising sign following his statement TKO victory at DMMA 9.

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