Combat Corner column

OWNER, Bones MMA

The Surf Coast combat sports scene was back on the front foot at Melbourne Fight Series 2 on Saturday night, with Torquay’s Matt Ward and Jake Bibic both stepping out under the bright lights.

Ward looked sharp early in his ninth amateur bout, settling into the contest with a strong kicking game and clean boxing from the outside. But once trapped against the cage, Jono Williams clipped him with a powerful punch, and the referee waved the fight off in the first round.

For Bibic, the result was equally frustrating, with the Jan Juc local ending up on the wrong side of the judges after being out-grappled by a skillful opponent from Concept BJJ.

While the results didn’t fall their way, both performances were viewed as important steps forward.

Head coach Jordan Wallace praised the development shown by both fighters.

“Success in amateur MMA isn’t defined by wins and losses, but by the experience gained and the progress made along the way,” Wallace said.

That experience might prove valuable as doors open closer to home for combat sports athletes.

News leaked during the week that a major Australian MMA promotion is set to break ground in Geelong this June, a significant moment for the region’s fight scene and a potential pathway for local athletes to compete on a platform with a global viewership. The event is expected to host professional mixed martial arts in the Geelong region for the first time, and some well-known local names are already being linked to the card.

With competition pausing over the Easter break, the work continues quietly in the background as local fighters reset and prepare for the next wave of opportunities.

The Muay Thai Nationals and Melbourne International Open are fast approaching, with both events set to run side by side at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

The Melbourne International Open will run as a standalone open-entry competition, welcoming Australian and international fighters.

With over 400 competitors already confirmed, it will be the biggest event of its type every held in Victoria.

Bones MMA is set to field a team of 10 athletes, including two selected for the Victorian state team, as they push toward national contention and the world championships in Antalya, Turkey latMATT WILLIAMS

Owner, Bones MMA

The Surf Coast combat sports scene was back on the front foot at Melbourne Fight Series 2 on Saturday night, with Torquay’s Matt Ward and Jake Bibic both stepping out under the bright lights.

Ward looked sharp early in his ninth amateur bout, settling into the contest with a strong kicking game and clean boxing from the outside. But once trapped against the cage, Jono Williams clipped him with a powerful punch, and the referee waved the fight off in the first round.

For Bibic, the result was equally frustrating, with the Jan Juc local ending up on the wrong side of the judges after being out-grappled by a skillful opponent from Concept BJJ.

While the results didn’t fall their way, both performances were viewed as important steps forward.

Head coach Jordan Wallace praised the development shown by both fighters.

“Success in amateur MMA isn’t defined by wins and losses, but by the experience gained and the progress made along the way,” Wallace said.

That experience might prove valuable as doors open closer to home for combat sports athletes.

News leaked during the week that a major Australian MMA promotion is set to break ground in Geelong this June, a significant moment for the region’s fight scene and a potential pathway for local athletes to compete on a platform with a global viewership. The event is expected to host professional mixed martial arts in the Geelong region for the first time, and some well-known local names are already being linked to the card.

With competition pausing over the Easter break, the work continues quietly in the background as local fighters reset and prepare for the next wave of opportunities.

The Muay Thai Nationals and Melbourne International Open are fast approaching, with both events set to run side by side at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

The Melbourne International Open will run as a standalone open-entry competition, welcoming Australian and international fighters.

With over 400 competitors already confirmed, it will be the biggest event of its type every held in Victoria.

Bones MMA is set to field a team of 10 athletes, including two selected for the Victorian state team, as they push toward national contention and the world championships in Antalya, Turkey later this year.