Aaron Tau jumps on for a wild (and brutally honest) car-chat fresh off training — talking life, camp, the madness that comes with chasing the UFC dream, and why this Road to UFC Final in Sydney is the moment he’s been building toward.
We cover training under Dan Hooker and the Kickboxing boys, the mentality shift from “fun fighter” to “winner,” what he knows about his opponent Naz Namsa, and why this time he’s doing it for him. It’s raw, funny, chaotic, and then suddenly deep — classic Aaron.
In this episode:
Training camp updates + dieting through Christmas
Dan Hooker’s “gym etiquette” (aka tough love)
Road to UFC Final in Sydney — fighting on the same card as Hooker
What Aaron knows about Naz Namsa + the danger he brings
Losing friends/family, resetting, and getting focused
“Be you” advice from the people closest to him
The mindset shift: fighter vs winner
Aaron’s promise for Feb 1
Subscribe for more Australian MMA interviews, fight-week stories, and behind-the-scenes with the fighters chasing greatness.
Paddy Baynes from Squared Up MMA, is a New Zealand MMA journalist who covers the Australian and NZ scenes, with a big focus on the NZ regional circuit.Paddy’s stepping into the cage on December 19 through the TrainAlta program: 20 weeks of MMA training that culminates in an amateur fight. He’s doing it to understand fighters and the process on a deeper level — from the grind of camp to the nerves on fight week.Paddy’s been doing his training at City Kickboxing under Eugene Bareman, and we talk mindset shifts, training realities, and what this experience changes about how he’ll cover the sport going forward.For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Australian MMA fighter Isaac Thomson joins Mitchell Tinley for an exclusive interview after being signed to the UFC at the last minute on fight week. In this must-watch conversation, Isaac breaks down how he got the call to step in against Joanderson Brito in Las Vegas, what it means to represent Australia on the UFC stage, and how he’s preparing for the biggest fight of his career.
Training out of Team Alpha Male alongside UFC legend Urijah Faber, Isaac shares insight into his mindset, preparation, and journey from Australian MMA to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This interview gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the pressure, opportunity, and excitement of a short-notice UFC debut.
If you follow UFC, Australian MMA, or want to learn what it takes to reach the highest level of mixed martial arts, this interview is for you.
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more exclusive MMA interviews and fight-week content.
UFC 325 is OFFICIAL and the UFC is coming back to Australia! 🇦🇺
On February 1, 2026 (local time) UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 hits Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, and the full fight card is stacked from top to bottom.
In this video, Mitchell Tinley reacts to the full UFC 325 fight card announcement – breaking down the main event, co-main and the bangers all over this Sydney card:
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2 for the featherweight title
Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint Denis in a guaranteed war
Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy, Tai Tuivasa, Jimmy Crute and more Aussie favourites fighting at home
We’ll talk about:
Is Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 the right fight for the belt?
How big this event is for Aussie MMA fans
Which matchups are flying under the radar on this card
Early thoughts on who has to win on home soil
If you’re a UFC fan in Australia or you’re thinking about travelling to Sydney for UFC 325, this is your breakdown.
👉 Drop your predictions in the comments – who wins, Volk or Lopes in the rematch?
👉 Like & subscribe for more UFC reactions, previews and Aussie fight content.
TIMECODES:
00:00 - Intro
3:58 – Volk vs Lopez
7:57 – Dan Hooker vs Benoit Saint Denis
9:08 – Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio Ruffy
10:38 – Tai Tuivasa vs Tallison Texiera
13:38 – Jimmy Crute vs Dustin Jacoby
15:38 – Quillan Salkild vs Rongzhu
18:23 – Serghei Spivac vs Ante Delija
19:13 – Jono Micallef vs Oban Elliot
21:26 – Kaan Ofli vs Yizha
24:23 – Junior Tata vs Billy Elekana
25:38 – Cam Rowston vs Cody Brundage
27:30 – Jacob Malkoun vs Torrez Finney
29:23 – Road To UFC 4 Finals
For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Australian MMA is on the world stage! 🇦🇺🥊
In this exclusive interview, host Mitchell Tinley sits down with undefeated featherweight contender Sara Collins ahead of her massive PFL Women’s Featherweight Title clash with legend Cris Cyborg at PFL Lyon on December 13, 2025, at LDLC Arena in Lyon, France.
We dive into:
Sara’s journey from Australia to the global spotlight in PFL
Her game plan and mindset to dethrone Cris Cyborg
Technical breakdown of the matchup and key advantages
The pressure and pride of representing Aussie MMA on a world title stage
Predictions for PFL Lyon and what’s next for her career
If you’re a fan of PFL, women’s MMA, or just love high-level fight IQ and storytelling, you’ll get heaps out of this chat.
👇 Let us know in the comments: Who wins at PFL Lyon – Sara Collins or Cris Cyborg?
👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more Australian MMA interviews, breakdowns, and fight week content.
Website: www.australianmma.com.au
HEX Fight Series 37 Review:
Mitchell Tinley from the Australian MMA YouTube channel breaks down everything you need to know ahead of Hex Fight Series 37, going down November 22 in Melbourne.
The card is headlined by Kasib Murdoch vs Kris Ustijanovski, with massive stakes in the heavyweight title showdown between Danny Hartwell vs Ricky Biechun and the welterweight title clash Hoshi Friedrich vs JJ Ambrose.
For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Former 8–0 MMA standout and 3x Australian MMA champion Issac “Headsplitter” Hardman sits down with Mitchell Tinley to talk all things Aussie combat sports. From being on the verge of a UFC call-up, to the brutal grudge match with Michael Zerafa, and his messy fallout with No Limit Boxing, nothing is off limits. Hardman opens up about:His undefeated run in MMA and transition to boxingThe build-up and chaos around the Zerafa fightHow things really broke down with No LimitLife after the hype and his next move on the Gold Coast fight sceneFor more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
HEX Fight Series 37 Preview: Kasib Murdoch vs Kris Ustijanovski | Australian MMA,Mitchell Tinley from the Australian MMA YouTube channel breaks down Hex Fight Series 37 going down November 22 in Melbourne, headlined by Kasib Murdoch vs Kris Ustijanovski, with Danny Hartwell vs Ricky Biechun for the heavyweight crown and Hoshi Friedrich vs JJ Ambrose for the 170lb title – full card preview, key storylines, and fight picks as Aussie MMA takes over Melbourne once again. Drop your predictions in the comments and subscribe for more Hex Fight SeriesFor more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
In this exclusive interview, host Mitchell Tinley sits down with undefeated Australian MMA prospect Kim Tran, a 3-0 professional fighter representing Bones MMA in Torquay under coach Matt “Bones” Williams.Kim breaks down her rapid rise in the sport, her upcoming fight on ONE FC on November 21st, and her long-term goal of one day stepping into the UFC.We dive into her training mindset, the culture at Bones MMA, and what drives her to keep pushing toward the top of the sport.If you’re a fan of Australian MMA or love supporting rising talent on the world stage, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.👇 Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more Australian MMA content and fighter interviews.For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
In this exclusive post-fight interview, Mitchell Tinley sits down with rising Australian MMA talent George Mangos after his explosive 1:50 first-round finish over Justin Van Heerden at Eternal MMA 101.
This fight marks the continuation of their rivalry after Mangos claimed victory in their previous HEX Fight Series title bout. We dive deep into:
🔥 His thoughts on the rematch and rapid finish
🔥 Lessons learned from his recent Dana White’s Contender Series fight vs Radley da Silva
🔥 Whether a potential Eternal title bout with Kevin Jousset or Kophamel is next
🔥 His mindset and readiness if the UFC Sydney card (rumoured Feb 2026) comes calling
🔥 What’s next for one of Australia’s most exciting MMA prospects
If you love Australian MMA, this is the interview you don’t want to miss.
👉 Subscribe for more Aussie combat sports coverage, fighter interviews, and event breakdowns.
A huge weekend in combat sports, UFC 322 delivered drama, Eternal MMA 100 & 101 showcased Australia’s rising killers, and UAE Warriors 65 brought heat from the Middle East.
In this episode, we break down the biggest moments, standout performances, and why “that’s still our boy” hits different after a night like this.
If you love honest fight talk, technical breakdowns, and raw reactions, you’re in the right place.
For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
After a candid sit-down on the Australian MMA Podcast, Lisa Kyriacou lays out her game plan and championship mindset ahead of her Nov 8 clash with Fain Mesquitta for the inaugural flyweight title. Precision striking, relentless pace, and history on the line—Kyriacou is ready to claim gold.For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Fresh off her chat on the Australian MMA Podcast, Fain Mesquitta breaks down her mindset, camp, and strategy ahead of her Nov 8 showdown with Lisa Kyriacou for the inaugural flyweight championship. Don’t miss this one—two elite warriors, one historic belt on the line. Who you backing?For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Australian MMA Podcast sits down with former ONE Championship standout Reece McLaren ahead of his clash with Yamato Fujita at UAE Warriors 65. Reece opens up about why he wanted out of ONE, what the contract realities were like, getting officially released, and why the UFC dream is still burning. We also dive into his move to CMBT for camp, the Fujita matchup, mindset, and what fans can expect on fight night.In this interview:Why Reece pushed to be released from ONE and how it finally happenedWhat his ONE contract was really like—pros, cons, and lessons learnedThe path forward: calling his shot for the UFCTechnical breakdown: Reece McLaren vs Yamato Fujita at UAE Warriors 65New team at CMBT and how the switch has sharpened his gameWhat Aussie fans can expect nextIf you enjoy Aussie MMA stories and straight talk from top talent, hit Subscribe, drop a comment with your predictions, and share this with a mate.Guest: Reece McLarenEvent: UAE Warriors 65 — McLaren vs Yamato FujitaHost: Australian MMA PodcastFor more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Welsh‑Australian MMA standout John‑Martin Fraser joins Australian MMA fresh off back‑to‑back wins at UAE Warriors — a first‑round elbows finish of Abdul Elwahab Saeed and a unanimous decision over Imamshafi Aliev — to talk prizefighting, being a dad, and launching Oasis Fight Academy. Fraser is Welsh‑born and fights out of Australia, and his recent UAE Warriors run has turned heads across the region. For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Australian UFC lightweight Quillan Salkilld steps into UFC 321 on just 10 days’ notice to face Nasrat Haqparast in the featured prelim. Despite losing his Instagram account, Quillan remains laser-focused and hungry to make a statement on the big stage. With a record of (insert record, e.g. 9-2), Salkilld shares insights on short-notice preparation, mindset, and what fans can expect from his explosive return to the Octagon.
Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro & live from the Middle East
1:10 – Finally getting the UFC call-up
1:47 – Short notice fight and opponent reveal
3:31 – Flying out last minute with the team
3:55 – Instagram hacked at 53k followers
4:50 – Calling out Mark Zuckerberg for his account
5:35 – Side hustles & random hobbies
6:05 – Chess battles and brain vs brawn
7:01 – Predicting a submission win
8:21 – Fellow Aussies succeeding on Contender Series
9:00 – Cody Haddon’s New York fight
12:10 – Brutal weight cut on 10 days’ notice
16:06 – Why he loves short notice “gangster” fights
17:03 – Climbing toward UFC rankings
18:57 – What fans can expect in this fight
19:47 – Walking out at Etihad Arena
20:24 – Picks for Aspinall vs Gane
21:04 – Mum’s reaction to Australian MMA magazine cover
21:40 – Message for Aussie fans
In this episode, Mitchell Tinley sits down with rising Australian MMA talent Marwan Rahiki, who’s less than two years into his pro career and already knocking on the door of the UFC. Marwan talks about earning his shot at Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), the grind that got him there, and what it means to represent Australian MMA on the global stage.He also opens up about his teammate George Mango’s recent fight and how George’s signing with Ali Abdelaziz is inspiring the next generation of fighters. Don’t miss this candid chat about discipline, opportunity, and chasing the UFC dream.👉 Subscribe for more Australian MMA stories and fighter interviews.For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Australian fighter Stewart Nicoll joins Australian MMA to talk about his upcoming clash against Lucas Rohca at UFC Brazil. In this exclusive interview, Stewart opens up about battling through injuries, the challenges of fighting abroad, staying grounded with family, and of course — the story behind that iconic moustache.
🎙️ Interview by: Australian MMA
💥 Topics: Training camp, recovery, mindset, travel, and life outside the cage.
🇦🇺 Don’t miss this deep dive into the life of one of Australia’s rising MMA stars!
In this exclusive interview, Mitchell Tinley sits down with Aussie UFC featherweight Kaan Ofli ahead of his upcoming UFC Fight Night in Rio, Brazil (October 11th) where he faces Ricardo Ramos on UFC Fight Pass.Kaan opens up about:Preparing for the biggest fight of his career in Brazil 🇧🇷Becoming a new dad and how fatherhood changed his mindset 👶His journey from a 0-2 UFC start to rebuilding his career and mentality 🥊The support of the Australian MMA community and his message to fans 🙌Watch the full interview for a raw, honest, and inspiring look into the mindset of one of Australia’s rising MMA talents.📅 Fight: UFC Brazil – October 11th, 2025📺 Watch on: UFC Fight Pass🎙️ Host: Mitchell Tinley (Australian MMA)👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more exclusive MMA interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from Australian fighters!For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au
Fresh off his UFC Perth debut and Performance of the Night ($50K) bonus, Brando Peričić joins Mitchell Tinley on the Australian MMA Podcast with a bold prediction — he plans to be fighting for the UFC Heavyweight Title by mid-2026. Brando talks about the journey from living in City Kickboxing gym to the UFC stage, his mindset after Perth, and what’s driving his rise through the division.Watch the full interview and subscribe to the Australian MMA YouTube channel for more Australian fighter stories, interviews, and insights from the local MMA scene.
Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro: Future UFC Heavyweight Champion?
0:28 – Mitch introduces Brando Pericic and his UFC debut story
4:23 – Brando on life after his first UFC win & handling fame
5:38 – Reuniting with family in Adelaide after a year away
7:22 – Balancing Australia, New Zealand & Croatian roots
8:51 – Swearing on live TV and the Aussie crowd reaction
10:50 – Breaking down the first-round knockout at UFC Perth
12:37 – The struggle to find fights & learning on the job
16:18 – The Randall Raymond fight and lessons from loss
18:00 – The UFC dream and plans for a title shot by 2026
20:51 – Israel Adesanya & Tyson Pedro’s influence on his journey
27:42 – Living in his car and sleeping at the gym for 620 days
37:36 – Mental health battles, near tragedy, and helping others
40:03 – Fighting for purpose & how Brando wants to be remembered
For more visit: www.australianmma.com.au