EXCITEMENT is building for this year’s Mortal Combat Fight Night, which will see an Ōpōtiki fighter going for a New Zealand title.

Liam Witbrock will fight Lockie Cameron from Freestyle MMA in Morrinsville for the New Zealand Muaythai Championship title at the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall on November 2.

Event organiser Carl Cowley said the super lightweight title was sanctioned by International Kick Boxing Federation.

Witbrock, who works at a kiwifruit orchard, coming from a boxing background and has trained with Cowley’s Whakatāne Fight Club for seven years.

“Carl gets me the fights and I do it the way he tells me.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity he has given me.”

He also trains at the Scorpion Claw Fight Club in his hometown.

“I’ve been training with the Ōpōtiki club for one year – to do extra training and find different people to spar with,” Witbrock said.

Witbrock said he has had “10 or 11” fights – two losses, one draw and the rest wins.

He has met Cameron twice before, in boxing and kickboxing.

“I drew against him in boxing and won in kickboxing,” he said.

No matter what happens on the night next Friday, he said he would “keep training and keep fighting”.

Other Eastern Bay fighters on the card are Mickey Downes, Whare Williams, Deyshon Murphy, Haki Grant, Wiremu Shortland, Steven McMillin, Sitiveni Kutalele, Sharma De La Flavell, Kylani Parata, Keiden Tebbutt, Christiaan Nel, Potiki Smallman, Autahi Williams, Kyrus Richmond, James Whitcombe, Hunter Taia, Keelyn Moana, Ricco Winder, Saph Carmichael, John Butler-August, Gabriell Anderson, Seth Anderson, and Niko Pritchard.

Doors will open at 4pm with the first fight at 5pm.

Cowley said ringside tables were already sold out, but door sales were available.

Security and Māori Wardens will be on site to ensure no drinking or “pre-loading” in the War Memorial Hall car parks or surrounding areas.

Cowley said no alcohol, food or drinks could be brought onto the premises and tidy dress was essential with no gang regalia or colours.