Last Friday, doors opened at 6 pm at The Ukrainian Hall on Russell Street in Essendon, and the VAMAA Fight Night for February was underway! We had two of our amateur team members competing on the card, organized by the Melbourne Fight Club. Duy took out a win via first-round stoppage, and Cindy Huynh (CBD) sustained a loss via decision in her debut match, against an experienced opponent with three fights experience. We are supremely proud of both our students, who looked composed and strong in the ring and displayed great technique! Well done team!
Saturday saw our Member of the Month for February 2020 and dedicated Muay Thai student Danielle Franks take on opponent Lorana Foster in a 60kg matchup with 3×2 minute rounds at Hardcore Promotions 3. Cornered by Coaches Joe Boobyer and Glen Fraser, Danielle won a comfortable decision here, leg chopping her way to the win! We look forward to seeing Danielle get back in the ring again soon!
The team took on some interstate action at Coastal Combat 7, with Mixed Martial Arts team members Lisa Kyriacou and Jake Savic heading to Queensland to fight. On fight seven of the card, Jake Savic sustained a loss via points decision against opponent Jayden Walsh. Lisa “Savage” Kyriacou fought against opponent Hannah Thomas on fight 10 of the card, securing the win via a points decision. Lisa did well to deal with Thomas, showing good cage control against an aggressive, forward-moving fighter. Congratulations to Lisa, who looks to make her professional competitive debut in April. We look forward to seeing her take this next step going forward!
At the BJJ Australian Open in Byron Bay, Coach Cooper Burnham and the team hit the mats in a submission only team event. In Cooper Burnham‘s match, his opponent began by pulling guard. Cooper went on the attack against a largely passive opponent, moving in and out of his opponent’s closed guard. Using his strength and agility, Cooper continued to try and compensate for the gap in weight against his heavier opponent. With his opponent happy to sit in closed guard, Cooper did a phenomenal job of creating opportunities for himself whilst having to be very careful in not losing position. Four minutes in, Cooper easily defends a cross collar attempt from his opponent, as well the following triangle attempt. The referee then reset the two contenders to the same position in the middle of the mat with thirty seconds to go. Cooper knows he has limited time left and doubles down on his attempt to break his opponent closed guard, just breaking the guard unfortunately as the match concludes. This match concluded in a draw.
Despite the team losing by one submission to take away silver, they put on a great show and we would like to congratulate Cooper in particular for taking on his first competition as a brown belt, and in a match against a significantly heavier opponent.
Photography: Cindy Huynh, W.L fight photography, Coastal Combat MMA, Cooper Burnham.