Local fighter, gym owner, and coach Rick Judd will send four fighters to Albury next month for Battle on the Border 5, a showcase event hosted by Hurricane Combat at Albury Entertainment Centre.
Locals Dru Brodin and Tom Diggins will fight alongside former Junee Diesel Tyler Edwards and Wagga fighter Ben Andrews, competing in a mixture of Muay Thai, modified Muay Thai, and Boxing matches on the night.
At only 19, Brodin will debut in a Muay Thai bout, and Tom Diggins will make his boxing debut.
Edwards is another 19-year-old and is having his fourth modified Muay Thai fight, while Ben Andrews, at 31, will make his modified Muay Thai debut.
Judd owns Adapt Muay Thai & MMA gym in Wagga and is excited to see his four fighters in action.
“These guys have shown their skill over an extended period and warrant us approaching them and having that conversation about taking a fight,” Judd said.
“We’ve asked if they want to compete, and generally, every student tells us if they are looking for a fight in the future, and these four were all keen to give it ago.”
Judd touched on their preparation leading into the December 2 fight night.
“They’re at the gym multiple times a week but have been in camp officially for the last four weeks,” Judd said.
“We try to keep it as healthy as we can, and they run every day, at five kilometres each day, and there are hill sprints, which are increased in increments.
“They are sparring once a week and do at least one pad session, plus bag work six days a week.
“They get one day off for complete rest, but it’s pretty intense, and they are all working hard.”
The four fighters will contest three two-minute rounds, and with a big crowd on hand and bragging rights up for grabs, Judd is just hoping his fighters put their best fist forward.
“I just hope they can put on the best display for themselves,” Judd said.
“As much as they represent me and the gym, I only want them to put on their best Muay Thai and Boxing skills.
“A lot of people debuting get the shivers on the night and don’t necessarily represent themselves the best, but I’ve talked to the boys, and win, lose, or draw, as long as they show their best on the night, that’s all I’m looking for.
“Still, I am confident if they put their best forward, we’ll come away from the night four from four.”
Judd is born and bred in June, with the 31-year-old a former Diesel and Gundagai Tiger.
He kicked off his fighting career as a 19-year-old and has since taken to coaching and developing young fighters.
“I did the whole football thing and loved that, but I got into fighting and have the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) background, but Muay Thai is far more popular in rural areas, and I would say that 90% of my clientele is training in Muay Thai,” Judd said.
The pandemic made things hard for his gym, with numbers dropping off, but now there is a resurgence and a tight-knit community of fighters out of Wagga, Junee, and surrounding communities.
“It is a good, fun community and a good group of people there,” Judd said.
“When we kicked it off, the community got behind us, and it’s booming again now.
“We have 20-odd students privately, but we get to the point that we are turning away people because I have to find that good mix between work, family, and what the body can handle, as it takes its toll when you have too many on board.”
With the Battle on the Border 5 getting closer, Judd is organising a bus to the event.
Doors open at the Albury Entertainment Centre at 6 pm, and fights start at 7 pm.
Tickets are $70 for seats and $45 for standing, and there will be pick-up points from Junee and Wagga with a return ticket worth $30 each and non-refundable.
It will be first in best dressed, and readers can contact ‘Adapt Muay Thai & MMA’ on Facebook for more details.