Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles watches son Sam Marles in mixed martial arts fight

Richard Marles was ringside in Melbourne to watch his son make his professional mixed martial arts fight debut.

Sam Marles, the son of deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, won his first mixed martial arts fight against Michael Tepou on Friday night. Picture: David Crosling

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles put official duties to one side to be ringside in Melbourne as his son Sam made his professional mixed martial arts fight debut on Friday night.

Watching on with the Deputy PM was former Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren.

Also taking a keen interest was boxing star Michael Zerafa.

Sam Marles did not let his high profile supporters down.

The ripped and well-liked 26-year-old took on Michael Tepou in the cage fighting bout at the Hex Fight Series 26 at the Melbourne Pavilion.

Doting dad and deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles watches his son make his mixed martial arts fight debut. Picture: David Crosling

Sam Marles took on Michael Tepou. Picture: David Crosling

Their welterweight fight, which was the first match up of the night, was scheduled for three, five minute rounds.

However Sam ruthlessly disposed of Tepou with seconds to go in the first round.

Sam, 26, has politics on both sides of his family.

His mother is Richard’s first wife, former Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville.

Richard has three younger children with his second wife, Rachel.

Richard has not been shy about supporting his son, who is also a talented golfer, liking and commenting on the Hex Fight Series 26 fight posts on social media.

He and Eren were at home among the sold out crowd of cage fighting fans, arriving about an hour before the bout and having a drink in the public bar area at the venue in Kensington.

Eight bouts were on the Hex Fight Series 26 evening card with the headliner being a showdown between Kevin Jousset and Kitt ‘The Killer’ Campbell for the welterweight title.