Rob Russell, left, versus Justin Mitchell at Saturday night’s Undisputed Fight Series. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
EMILY IRELAND
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Caged mixed martial arts fighting made a debut in Wairarapa on Saturday night – raising funds to help Wairarapa young people learn the discipline.
The Undisputed Fight Series event was organised by Undisputed MMA Masterton and was held at the Trust House Recreation Centre.
Trainer manager Jania Russo said the fight evening was successful, attracting a crowd of from 250 to 300 people.
Five Wairarapa fighters competed on the night, and others came from Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Wellington, Whangarei, and Hamilton.
Undisputed MMA Masterton does not get funding, Russo said, and so events like fight nights were a main fundraising stream for the organisation.
“The whole event was based on our kids who come and do our classes – providing free classes for those kids is the main thing.
“Some kids we have, they can’t afford to train, so we’ve been funding that out of our own pocket.
“It gets a little bit hard, so we have to find ways to make it happen for our kids.
“We haven’t got funding, so we do it the only way we know how, which is putting on events.”
Russo said Undisputed MMA Masterton had received a lot of support locally – “it goes to show how much Wairarapa gets behind our kids”.
“We’re all looking out for our babies – that’s the main thing … I mean they’re our future.
“We’re trying to change their outlook on life.
“It’s not just about fighting, it’s about supporting our kids and teaching them discipline.
“That’s the goal. It gives the kids something different to do.”
Undisputed MMA Masterton would like to thank its senior fighters who took part on the night, including the undefeated Chris Peachy who won the WKA Lower North Island Championship Title.
They would also like to thank supporters Amble Inn Motel, Wairarapa Rape and Sexual Abuse Collective, The Sign Factory, Jackson Street Bar, Trust House, World Kickboxing Association, and MTF Finance Masterton.
Undisputed MMA Masterton is located on Queen St, Masterton.
Find them on Facebook by searching Undisputed MMA Masterton
