Former UFC fighter and multiple time Australian MMA champion Callan ‘The Rockstar’ Potter is a self-proclaimed Australian MMA nerd. Potter has regularly appeared on ‘The Australian MMA Podcast’ and producing his own ‘Rockstar Rambles’ where he breaks down the biggest moments in Aussie MMA. This year, the Rockstar reflects on the exceptional year, presenting his choices for Knockout, Submission, and Fight of the Year in the Australian MMA scene.
The below highlights are regionally based and are only in the professional division. So send your death threats to @calpot_ufc on Instagram.
Here are your2023 winners of Knockout, Submission, and Fight of the Year in the AustralianMMA scene:
Submission of the Year: Peter Templer vs. Lachlan Stitt - Eternal MMA 75
In a battle that defied the odds, Peter Templer faced off against the division's rising star Lachlan ‘Deadshot’ Stitt, and on face level pulled off one of the bigger surprises in Australian MMA for 2023.
Peter Templer was 1-2 going into the bout and although those 2 loses came against high quality opponents in Jamie Sporne (2-1), who’s only loss has been to current undefeated Hex Fight Series welterweight champion Jono Micallef (5-0). Templer’s second loss was to David Martinez (11-5-1 NC), of whom is a former 2-time Eternal MMA lightweight champion and currently scheduled to face PFL & One FC veteran Antonio ‘The Spartan’ Caruso for the ISKA lightweight crown. So, it’s safe to say the 25-year-old Mackay MMA blackbelt, although validly credentialed, was still heavily under-dogged by the wider consensus. Which ultimate proves how scary the man standing across from him really was.
His opponent Lachlan ‘Deadshot’ Stitt, was at one point deemed by Eternal MMA promoter Cam O’Neil as the “most avoided welterweight he had ever dealt with.” That’s high praise for a man that was just 2-0 in his professional career. Deadshot had previously come off a hype article by Fox Sports Australia, an exclusive contract with Eternal, a documentary, and the signing with Rival Sports Management. A company that deals with the likes of former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, #12 ranked UFC flyweight, Steve Erceg and UFC veteran Jimmy Crute just to name a few. With a professional career spanning just 2 minutes and 38 seconds due to his ability to finish his opponent, the stage was set for Stitt to add to his highlight reel and continue on track to super stardom.
So to see thebout start standing, as all do, the wider community anticipated a quick night for Stitt & Templer, but for wildly different reasons for both. After a few nice shots from Sitt the grappling was evident, with even Stitt initiating some grappling exchanges of his own, determined to show he’s more than just one of the most feared strikers in the country. Ultimately however, Templer proved too good on the ground with the moment of the fight being a beautiful head an arm sweep from the bottom to land the Mackay MMA blackbelt in the mount. The ‘underdog’ would eventually make his way to the back of ‘Deadshot’ and ultimately finish the bout with a rear naked choke victory, shocking the SouthportSharks crowd in Gold Coast, Queensland.
Callan Potter goes on to say: “Templer, a big underdog [in the fight], [he] weathered the early pressure and secured the amazing back choke finish.”
This victory showcased resilience and supreme skill, proving that inside the cage, the underdog can emerge victorious against all expectations.
FULL FIGHT: UFC Fight Pass
Knockout of the Year: Quillan Salkilld vs Blake Donnelly - Eternal MMA 76
Quillan Salkilld is, as we close out 2023, one of, if not, the hottest Australian prospect not signed by a major promotion. At just 2-1 heading into 2023, seeing Salkilld tasked with the Eternal MMA lightweight title shot seemed somewhat premature.But after picking up a quick 1st round victory over tough Niam Stephen, Quillan was presented an opportunity to cut the cue in who would be next in line for the big show. Many were not doubting his ability, nor his eventual rise to the throne. But some, including myself (Mitchell Tinley), wondered if it was just premature to give him a shot at the king so soon.
Blake Donnelly, of whom was 7-1 going into his first title defence had just put on a dominant display to capture the title, butchering the face of 2x Eternal MMA lightweight champion David Martinez for a second time. Blake had also beaten the likes of now ADCC Oceanian and Australian national wrestling captain Ethan Thomas, hehad stepped in the cage with UFC fighters, Josh Culibao and Alex Gorgees with his only professional loss prior coming by way of a 47 second lightning quick clip by last years ‘Fight of the Year’ winner Dimps Gillies.
Callan Potter described the bout, saying, "After a very short feeling out, Salkilld landed the heavy shot to shut off Donnelly and secure the Eternal Lightweight title."
32 seconds is all it took to stun the near sold out HBF stadium with the quick and decisive victory highlighting Salkilld's prowess in the cage, making it a standout moment in the Australian MMA calendar. The moment proved pivotal, highlighting the foresight of Eternal MMA matchmakers and showing that Salkilld could in fact not wait to be king.
FULL FIGHT: UFC Fight Pass
Fight of the Year: Kevin Jousset vs. Kitt Campbell - Hex Fight Series 26
The Rockstar’s Fight of the Year unfolded between a now 2-0 in the UFC Kevin ‘Air’ Jousset and Kitt ‘The Killer’ Campbell. A bout that captivated fans from the beginning. Potter recounted the intriguing story, "From the moment Jousset stepped out of the cage after defeating Priscuss Fogagnolo at Hex Fight Series 25, for the Middleweight title. He respectfully made a b-line to Campbell (who was cage side) and challenged him for a chance to become the first ever concurrent double champion in Hex Fight Series.
Kitt Campbell, a 2-time Hex FS 170lb champion, accepted. The fight took place at Hex Fight Series 26, at a sold-out Melbourne Pavilion, with Potter recounting:
”The even fight saw Kitt pressing and landing heavy shots, with Jousset eventually securing the victory through a combination of low kicks and late-round grappling. This victory marked Jousset's second Hex title and set the stage for his international endeavours in the UFC."
As Potter reflects on these remarkable moments, he encapsulates the essence of AustralianMMA—a thrilling combination of skill, determination, and sportsmanship that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Not only was it an amazing fight for Australian MMA, it saw City Kickboxing’s and MMA globe trotter, Jousset, launch himself to where he truly belongs, in the UFC.
‘Air’ Jousset even proclaimed in a post-fight interview that that very night that his next fight will only be in the UFC, nowhere else (see it here). Just like his ability to pick his shots outside the cage as well as in, we’re looking at a future star that once called Australia home.
As we call a close to Callan ‘TheRockstar’ Potter presenting his awards for 2023, we thank him for his contribution to this page and we look forward to his expertise insight for a massive year in 2024.
Awards: Callan Potter
Written by: Mitchell Tinley
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