Kaleb Rideout took home the vacant Eternal welterweight championship with a competitive split decision victory against Kevin Jousset on Saturday night.
The bout headlined Eternal MMA 67 which took place at the Gold Coast Sports Precinct was broadcast on UFC Fight Pass.
The scorecards were mixed across the board, with one judge giving it 48-47 to Jousset but the other two gave it to Rideout by a larger margin 50-45 and 49-46, who deservedly walked away victorious.
Rideout utilised crisp striking to get the advantage on the feet and for the most part, shut down Jousset’s ground game when the fight did hit the canvas.
Big scalp for Rideout who moves to 7-2 as a professional who is currently riding a five-fight win streak.
“Ever since I was born I always wanted to entertain people. No matter what I do, I try to make people laugh, make people cry. Try to get you all cheering. I come out of here to fight, to win but I come out here to put a show on and that is all I do in my fights. I just want to show up and entertain you guys because you guys are the ones who pay the hard-earned money to come here. I try to deliver my promise in every one of my fights, to entertain,” Rideout commented post-fight.
The welterweight belt was previously held by Jack Della Maddalena who vacated to sign with the UFC.
Mohammad Alavi’s undefeated streak came to an end as he was submitted by Justin Van Heerden in the co-main event.
Alavi was making his long-anticipated Eternal debut however that party was wrecked by “Lockjaw” Justin Van Heerden who submitted the previously undefeated Alavi in the co-main event.
Van Heerden overcame some first-round adversity as Alavi looked to take the back before taking over the wrestling in the second round where he secured the top position, took the back and locked in the rear-naked choke to get the tap.
The end came 3:08 into the second round as Van Heerden took his record to 10-5 and put himself at the front of the line for a potential featherweight title shot against Jack Jenkins.
“If you keep doubting me, you have to get in here with me and look what happens. You doubt me, you give me an opening and I put people away.”
Van Heerden went on to thank his team, Joe Lopez, Alex Volkanovski and the team at Freestyle Fight Team before yelling for a title shot.
Earlier on the card, Adam Cook looked impressive as he stuffed out Tristan Murphy for a unanimous points decision victory while Jimmy O’Brien submitted Bayden Mandich while Tom Nolan remained undefeated with a stoppage over Niam Stephen.
Fight Card (Pro):
- Kevin Jousset vs. Kaleb Rideout – Eternal welterweight title
- Justin Van Heerden def. Mohammad Alavi via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 3:08
- Adam Cook def. Tristan Murphy via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jimmy O’Brien def. Bayden Mandich via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 3:23
- Tom Nolan def. Niam Stephen via TKO (Strikes), Rd 1, 3:54
- Ben Johnston def. Kahn Sandy via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 3:04
- Jamie Edenden def. Angelka Momcilovic via Decision (Unanimous)
- Hoani Selwyn def. Darcy Spowart via Decision (Split)
Fight Card (Amateur):
- Naveed Hassanzada def. Zac Gregson via Decision (Unanimous)
- Christian Lapham def. Alfred Stoddart via Decision (Split)
- Mackenzie Jean def. Danielle Curtis via Decision (Unanimous)
- Beau Berg def. Kean Morris via Decision (Split)
- Mayson Chin def. Isaac Small via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jono Aiello def. Jack Edmonds via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 2;00
- Jay Martin def. Patrick Thomson via Decision (Unanimous)
