Pacific islanders have rubbed shoulders with some of the world's best fighters and the Oceania Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championship would be no different.

Three local fighters will be jumping on the international scene to take on fighters from around the region and are hoping to come out on top as champions.

The Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) has announced its first international event of the 2023 season. New Zealand is a member of the GAMMA and will be hosting the Oceania championship 9–11 June 2023 in Auckland. 

This will be the first GAMMA event staged in Oceania and provides another opportunity for athletes from the region to compete internationally after the inaugural Asian-Pacific Championships which took place at the end of 2022 in Thailand. It has been confirmed that more than 200 plus fighters from the Pacific will be at the Championship with all vying for their shot at the much bigger stage, the ONE Lumpinee event.

Asomualemalama Saili is one of the local Samoan fighters eyeing the opportunity, having already experienced what it’s like being in the ring. 

“It has always been my dream to represent Samoa in the world of Combat sports, especially in MMA which sadly doesn’t exist in Samoa," he said.

Mr. Saili, who has already competed in multiple combat competitions and is a seasoned fighter, said it will be his first competitive fight.

“This will be my first competitive fight right after covid and I am excited to fight again.”

He has dreams of growing the sport in Samoa and eventually having it introduced to schools as an inter-school competition aside from rugby, netball, boxing, and now even weightlifting.

“I want to introduce the sport to schools and I know there are many students ready to take it up. There have always been sports competitions and I think this is also a great option for schools.”

This competition proves a great opportunity for fighters around the region to gain experience and go on to one of the biggest Mixed Martial Arts names, the ONE Championship.