The Eternal 10-year anniversary weekend got underway on Friday night with former champion David Martinez reclaiming his title with a dominant performance against Aidan Aguilera.
Aguilera started the fight with some crisp strikes before Martinez secured a takedown to put Aguilera on his back, only 60-seconds into the contest. There Martinez stayed strong in half-guard, landing short strikes before moving to side control, ending the round looking for a D’Arce choke and taking the back.
The second round started much the same, with Aguilera looking to unload with strikes but Martinez found his way in for another takedown. Martinez took mount which forced Aguilera to turn. Martinez immediately attacked the neck, forcing it under and putting Aguilera to sleep to claim the lightweight title.
“My style is like a friggin train. You can’t stop it. You just have to get out of the way,” Martinez commented post-fight after honouring the title to former UFC fighter Elias Theodorou, who passed due to a secret battle with cancer recently.
Asked who he would like to face next, Martinez called out another former champion.
“Personally, I really want a rematch with Dan Hill. So Dan Hill, if you are listening, I would really like to face you in December. Merry Christmas Mother F’er.”
In the semi-main event, Diego Pereira forced Alan Philpott to tap, securing “El Pantera Negra” an important win in the featherweight division. Philpott was looking comfortable until an ill-advised guillotine choke submission gave Pereira the top position in the second round. There Pereira went to work and ultimately secured the back to get the win.
Asked about a potential title shot against former team-mate Justin Van Heerde, Pereira responded “I look forward to that rematch. I have been doing some work. After that first match we had, he came and joined our team. We became teammates for a couple of years. He helped me, I helped him and we developed. He had to leave and he is at a different camp. He has made improvements. It’s been a while since that first match.”
“But listen. Justin is there doing his thing. I’m here doing my thing. If he thinks it’s going to go any different, he is out of his god damn mind, because the Black Panther is here to stay baby.”
In a close catchweight bout, the middleweight champion John Martin Fraser stepped up on a week’s notice and left victorious with a unanimous decision against Mat Myers. It was Fraser’s first bout since March 2021, and he moves his professional record to 6-2.
After the frustration of being out of the cage for so long, Fraser is keen to take on all comers in the coming months.
“I don’t give a f**k who I fight next, I just want to fight. I literally do not care. I want to be prepared for the next fight. I’ve had enough of not fighting. Just f**king give me an opponent,” Fraser commented post-fight.
He gave credit to Myers who was stepping up from the welterweight division and took this fight at a 90kg catchweight.
Eternal 69 took place at the Southport Sharks Club on the Gold Coast, with the Eternal 70 scheduled to take place in the same venue on Saturday.
Fight Card (Pro):
- David Martinez def. Aidan Aguilera via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 1:46 – Eternal lightweight title
- Diego Pereira def. Alan Philpott via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 2:58
- John Martin Fraser def. Mat Myers via Decision (Unanimous)
- Val Sharipov def. Darcy Spowart via Submission (Head-Arm Choke), Rd 1, 4:14
- Niam Stephen def. James O’Brien via Decision (Unanimous)
- Gina Gee def. Jamie Edenden Decision (Split)
Fight Card (Amateur):
- Jesse Murray def. Ryan Leavey via Decision
- Tom Pratt def. Liam Brewster via Decision (Unanimous)
- Tahlia Graetz def. Alessandra Inacio via TKO (Knees), Rd 1
- Jamie Spaseski def. Kelton Tabor via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
- Nick Morgan def. Elexis Rodger via TKO
- Damian Volar def. Mahu Rotana-Teika via TKO
- Rory Turner def. Rohnan Duksic
