Australia and New Zealand prepare for 2021 IMMAF season with Australasian Championships

By Caoilte de Barra

On June 26th, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation of Australia (IMMAFA) sent a team of top amateurs to Auckland, New Zealand to face some of the best fighters the New Zealand Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NZMMAF) has to offer.

The event took place as part of the New Zealand Combat Sports Expo at the EventFinda Stadium. NZMMAF played host for the Australasian Championships, taking part in the MMA part of the expo while grappling and kickboxing events also took place. 

The Aussie vs. Kiwi fights were high stakes with an Australasian Championship on the line in certain fights, along with a chance to qualify for the 2021 IMMAF World Championships for all involved. 

Two standout competitors for the Australian team were the Mayocchi brothers. Both Brodie and Kyle put on technical displays and finished their foe within the distance, the latter earning himself an Australasian Jr. Championship in the process. 

For New Zealand, the 2019/2020 IMMAF Oceania Open and 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA World Champion Michelle Montague remained undefeated in IMMAF bouts but went the distance for the first time in her IMMAF career. The Kiwi is known for her high-level grappling ability and is one of the most promising amateur prospects in the World at the moment. The win sees her add a third title to her collection ahead of the upcoming IMMAF campaign. 

Loni Doyle Filimoehala is another familiar name on the IMMAF circuit having competed at the 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA World Championships. It would not be his night though after, with a last minute change of opponent, fill-in Zack Bennett took home gold in the final amateur bout. 

Speaking with IMMAF, NZMMAF coach Jason Vorster who ran the event said: “[It was] great to see NZ and Australia sharing the cage and building solid foundations in these uncertain times.”

Results are as follows:

Australasian Championship bouts are in bold.