The annual Mortal Combat Fight Night has once again unearthed a national champion.

Ōpōtiki’s Liam Witbrock is now the International Kick Boxing Federation New Zealand super lightweight champion following his victory at the weekend.

He took on Rotorua’s Ryder Onfroy, who was an injury replacement for Morrinsville’s Lockie Cameron.

Onfroy, an international representative from Forged Fitness in Rotorua, last month fought the Tahitian Champion for the IKBF Pacific Championship Title, narrowly losing in a split points decision, and proved a difficult opponent for Witbrock.

Organiser Carl Cowley said it was a fantastic performance by Witbrock against a tough opponent.

“Liam winning a New Zealand title in spectacular fashion was a real highlight for me,” Cowley said.

“The first round was very competitive with not much separating the two. In the second round, Liam increased the pressure, landing powerful headshots to down his opponent.
“He then applied more pressure with devastating leg kicks which buckled and downed his opponent for the second 8-count of the round.

“With his opponent hurt both upstairs and down, Liam applied more pressure, landing continuous punches, knees and elbows knocking his opponent to the canvas, where the referee stopped the contest.”

Cowley was stoked with how Witbrock asserted their game plan perfectly and wore his opponent down.

“Essentially, once Liam had him hurt, he systematically broke him down and finished him off.”

Cowley was full of praise for Onfroy, who took the fight on with four days' notice.

Eighteen fights took place in the Mortal Combat Fight Night at the Whakatāne War Memorial Centre on Saturday night.

While some of them were one-sided, many of the bouts were even and provided great entertainment for the large crowd.

The card featured a heavy amount of Eastern Bay kickboxers with 22 fighters from Whakatāne, Otakiri, Ōpōtiki, Murupara and Rūātoki competing for bragging rights.

Other fighters travelled from Rotorua, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa and Taupō for the event.

Cowley was pleased with how the night went overall.
“Many of the visiting clubs and spectators commented on how they enjoyed the night and how well organised the tournament was.

“For many of the local fighters getting a chance to perform in front of their club members, family, friends and workmates/schoolmates was exciting.

“Of the 15 fights that went to a decision, half were split decisions (an indication of how fairly matched the fights were). A lot of work goes into this and making sure they are as even as possible.”

Cowley is confident the event, which has been going for several years, will be back in 2025.

Results:

Fight 1: Seth Anderson beat Potiki Smallman by unanimous points decision.

Fight 2: Sharnese Tutara beat Sasha Turfrey by split points decision.

Fight 3: George Flowerday beat James Whitcombe by split points decision.

Fight 4: Tiapakeke Takuira O’Sullivan beat Felix Gerrard by unanimous points decision.

Fight 5: Tiffany Ten Haaf beat Kylani Parata by split points decision.

Fight 6: Nathan Codrewy beat Deyshon Murphy by TKO in round 1 (due to accidental dislocated elbow).

Fight 7: Fight called 'No Contest' for Mickey Downes and Dre Rimene due to unsporting behaviour.

Fight 8: Kyrus Richmond beat Ricco Winder by split points decision.

Fight 9: Keelyn Moana beat Keiden Tebbutt by unanimous points decision.

Fight 10: Wiremu Wineera beat Honore Williams by split points decision.

Fight 11: Gabriell Anderson beat Iriapa Matekino by unanimous points decision.

Fight 12: Sharma De la Flavell beat Saph Carmichael by split points decision.

Fight 13: Wiremu Shortland beat Dion Fafeita by unanimous points decision.

Fight 14: Whare Williams beat Will Poharama by unanimous points decision.

Fight 15: Haki Grant beat Christiaan Nel by TKO rd 2 (due to perforated/burst eardrum).

Fight 16: John Butler beat Niko Pritchard by split points decision.

Fight 17: Steven McMillin beat Adam Carter by unanimous points decision.

Fight 18: Liam Witbrock beat Ryder Onfroy by TKO in round 2 to win the New Zealand Muay Thai Title.