Old rivalry, new fight

THERE was a time when the idea of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist taking on a karate stylist captured the imagination of the combat sports world.

Royce Gracie’s submission victory over Gerard Gordeau at the inaugural UFC in 1993 helped change martial arts forever, proving that a grappler could overcome a dangerous striker by forcing the fight to the ground.

More than three decades later, Geelong fans will get a new chapter of the old rivalry, when local Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout Max Debeen makes his professional MMA debut against Gold Coast-based Kotoni Tada at Eternal MMA on 22 August at Geelong Arena.

For anyone involved in martial arts around the Surfcoast, Debeen needs little introduction.

The Torquay academy owner has spent almost his entire life on the mats, beginning his martial arts journey at just three years of age.

Now, after 27 years of training, he boasts a resume that includes 11 Pan Pacific titles, seven Australian championships, a Brazilian National Championship and a bronze medal at the world championships.

Despite those credentials, MMA wasn’t always the plan.

“George Allen and Sammy Marles had been pushing me to make the move for a long time,” Debeen said. “Eventually I just said ‘Screw it’ and jumped in. The timing felt right while I was taking a little break from competing in jiu-jitsu.”

Finding the right opponent wasn’t straight forward. Debeen was determined to debut as a professional, meaning his team spent around six months searching for a suitable matchup before settling on Japan’s Kotoni Tada, a dangerous and showy karate stylist.

Preparation has been equally demanding. Debeen has based much of his camp at Absolute MMA in Melbourne, training two to three times a day before returning to Torquay each Sunday to reset mentally.

The Geelong debut makes the occasion even more special.

“To share the show with Sam Marles, who I went to high school with, is like a dream come true,” Debeen said.

“It feels like the stars have aligned for my debut and his title fight to happen together in Geelong.”

Debeen isn’t pretending this is the beginning of a decade long MMA career. With a successful academy to run and turning 30 this year, his focus is firmly on the task in front of him.

As for how he expects the fight to unfold?

Tada brings a dangerous karate-based striking game, but Debeen has no intention of turning it into a kickboxing match, citing the blueprint was written over 30 years ago.

“I don’t see myself standing with him for long. I’ll take him to the ground and submit him,” Debeen said.

Eternal MMA returns to Geelong Arena on 22 August, headlined by Sam Marles taking on Loni Filimohala in the main event.

MATT WILLIAMS

Owner, Bones MMA