SALT’s grand return to the Surf Coast

BONES MMA fighter Dave “Versace” Mirabelli was unable to come away with the win inside his former high school stadium at SALT Fight Series 1 back in November, but the Torquay local said his fight against Rethik Nath at the second installment will be different.

The combat sports scene returns to the Surf Coast in just over a fortnight, and local fighters are ready to put on the show of their lives in front of an expected sell-out crowd on March 18 at Wurdi Baierr Stadium.

“It was really, really special for me to fight here in Torquay in the first SALT Fight Series, in the main event performing in front of friends and family, it was really, really surreal,” Mirabelli said.

“My training has been much easier for this fight because whenever I’m sore, I think back to my loss at the last SALT, and I’m reminded of how much I want to win this time around on my home turf.

“It’s a good motivator.”

Mirabelli joins five other locally based Bones MMA representatives in SALT 2’s card including Sloan Sambucco, Drew East, Scarlett Orwin, Lachlan Paterson and Norlane resident Sam Barriball, another fighter preparing to emerge victorious in two weeks’ time.

“My opponent is a grappler, so the strategy is to keep long and outstrike her, that’s what I expect will happen,” Barriball said.

“Funnily enough, I wasn’t too surprised about the success of SALT 1 last year.

“Torquay is the place that facilitates the full community spirit of Bones MMA, it’s a really laidback setting to fight, it’s not at all daunting, and was extremely fun to be a part of.”

Barriball is pitted against Taylor Ly in a rematch of their first encounter at SALT 1.

Torquay local Lachlan Paterson will square off with Shi Lee-Esmail in his first SALT Fight Series show.

“I’m extremely excited to be a part of my first SALT,” Paterson said.

“I’m ready to go, I’m ready finish someone, I’m keen.

“I definitely perform better in front of a crowd; it adds an extra element of flair to my game.”

Stage one tickets are expected to sell out quickly for SALT Fight Series 2. Stage two tickets were released on February 21.

To purchase tickets and view the full 16-bout fight card head to www.saltfightseries.com.au