Goodna resident Markell Alaiasa has always had a passion for fighting and it was an epiphany that shifted his focus from boxing to MMA in January 2022.
“One day, I just had an intuition that I was going to do MMA and be good at it,” he said.
“It came as a shock to many of my friends and family around me.”
In just 11 months, Markell had his first MMA fight, marking the beginning of a dedicated career that has now spanned over two and a half years.
His commitment to the sport is evident in his rigorous daily training regimen.
A typical Monday starts with a hearty breakfast prepared by his partner, Brooklyn, followed by intense mile intervals.
“This is one of my harder sessions of the week as my heart rate is in the red zone for the majority of the time,” he explained.
His day includes multiple training sessions focusing on different aspects of MMA, such as striking and wrestling, with no two days being the same.
Markell says that MMA has evolved into its own distinct discipline, combining elements of various martial arts.
“I spend a lot of time doing kickboxing and jiu-jitsu, but it’s the ability to understand what in those arts I can use for MMA,” he said.
Motivation for Markell stems from his family and he wants to give them the life they deserve.
“I’m obsessed with changing my family’s life for the better,” he said.
“There is nothing more that I want than the ability to give them financial freedom.”
Looking ahead, Markell has clear goals.
In the short term, he aims to win his professional debut against Brody Ede at Eternal 88 in Southport, with his long-term vision being even more ambitious.
“I will become a world champion and become one of the biggest sporting icons in Australian history,” he said.
As he prepares for his next fight on August 31, Markell remains confident and strategic.
“Preparations are going great, I’m working hard every day and never taking shortcuts,” he said.
“Another man is trying to stop my dreams and the answer is a simple right hand on the chin, and the ref will call it a night.”
