Sunshine Coast’s top 12 rising Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai fighters

The Sunshine Coast’s most talented mixed martial arts and Muay Thai fighters have been identified with coaches revealing which names will be ones to remember. See the list.

Sunshine Coast's best up and coming MMA and Muay Thai fighters.

Sunshine Coast Muay Thai and mixed martial arts coaches from Caloundra, Warana, Coolum and Bokarina have identified 12 of the region’s rising fighting talents that could one day be performing on the world stage.

With some already landing blows at the professional level and others on the verge of carving out elite careers, the established fighting community on the Sunshine Coast is showing no signs of slowing down.

In no particular order here’s an in depth look at which MMA and Muay Thai stars are on the rise with added comments from their coaches.

Ignite Martial Arts Academy

Erin Carter

Age/Division/Weight: 20, 61.7kg-70kg.

MMA fighter, Erin Carter. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Major Achievements: Two time Golden Gloves champion, five-time boxing state champ, 2017 gold kickboxing WMO World Championships (Ireland), 2019 Muay Thai Australian Champ, 2019 four time gold medallist at International and Thai Martial Arts game and festival in 2019, 2021 Australian club boxing champion, 2021 IMMAF Silver medallist and 2022 Commonwealth Games Trials silver medallist.

Head coach Ryan Dunstan said Carter was definitely a fighter and name to keep an eye on.

“Erin has represented Australia in three combat sports and fought at the highest level,” he said.

“She has fought from 61kg to 85kg and is willing to fight anyone put in front of her.

“It really is just a matter of time until the world knows her name.”

Jake Piper

Age/Division/Weight: 18, 61kg-66kg.

Ignite Martial Arts Academy fighter, Jake Piper. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Major Achievements: MMA record of 5-1,2022 South Pacific gold medallist and upcoming XFC Amatuer Bantamweight Title

Head coach Ryan Dunstan said Piper was an exciting and elusive rising talent.

“Jake is one of the best up and comers in Queensland and he’s shown he can finish fights anywhere the fight goes,” he said.

Piper will be fighting Liam Forrest for the XFC Amatuer Bantamweight Title on Saturday, September 3 at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane.

Combat Lab Martial Arts

Daniel Staveley

Age/Division/Weight: 25, middleweight

Combat Lab Martial Arts fighter Daniel Staveley. Picture: Coastal Combat MMA

Major Achievements: Purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu and upcoming XFC Amatuer Middleweight Title

Head coach Joel Szepsevary said Staveley had plenty of good attributes that made him such a fierce opponent.

“He’s famous for having a granite chin,” he said.

“Guys just don’t even try to knock him out because the only time he gets beaten is when they sit down and lay on him.

“No one can knock him out because his jaw is just incredibly strong which is definitely not the best way to approach a fight, just wearing them out, the classic Homer Simpson approach.

“He is six-foot-six as well so he’s special to watch, he’s an exciting fighter and whether we give him a game plan or not he’s still going to end up standing toe-to-toe and swinging.”

Staveley was one of three Sunshine Coast fighters that would be taking part in the XFC58 card on Saturday, September 3 at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane.

Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing Centre

Josh Robson

Age/Division/Weight: 12, 38-40kg

Rising Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing Centre fighter Josh Robson.

Major Achievements: Josh has had 17 fights already, he is the Queensland WKBF Championship Belt holder, Siam Cup Championship Belt holder and recently competed in the IFMA World Games over in Malaysia against Iraq and Uzbekistan.

“Josh is a very aggressive fighter and just loves to fight,” his coach Joe Hilton said.

“He is a work in progress and we’re still working on lots of skills, but he has the mindset to make it to the big time.

“Josh’s favourite choice of weapon is the Superman punch.”

Jorja Hersey

Age/Division/Weight: 15, 57-60kg

Jorja Hersey in training mode at Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

Major Achievements: Recently coming home with a silver medal from the IFMA World Games in Malaysia after competing and winning against Sri Lanka before later fighting against Russia for the Gold medal.

Head coach Joe Hilton said Hersey had established herself as a real threat in the ring.

“Jorja has trained at the gym for five years, starting at the age of 10,” he said.

“She has developed into a very powerful puncher and kicker, winning most of her fights by way of stoppage.”

Skylah Hamill

Age/Division/Weight: 16, 51-54kg

Rising Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing Centre fighter Skylah Hamill.

Major Achievements: Skylah has now had 26 fights with only two losses. She is a three-time IFMA World Games gold medallist, one time bronze medallist, a four time Australian National gold medallist, current Siam Cup junior champion, current WKBF Light StrawWeight titleholder and was awarded Most Outstanding Female Athlete for the entire IFMA World Games competition.

Head coach Joe Hilton said Hamill had plenty of attributes that helped her stand out.

“Skylah started training with us when she was nine and now at the age of 16 has no one in Australia left to fight,” her coach Joe Hilton said.

“So we are on the hunt to find an overseas opponent until she becomes an adult and then we can hopefully find a fighter more local.

“She is very determined and has a well-balanced skill level and mentality of a professional fighter already.

“We’re extremely excited to see where she can take it into the future.”

Integrated MMA and Fitness

Brianna Waters

Age/Division/Weight: 15, 50kg

Brianna Waters from Integrated MMA and Fitness has been named by her coaches as one to watch.

Major Achievements: Second place at state championships for BJJ, multiple gold medals in Gi and No-gi BJJ.

“Brianna’s success comes from her aptitude for training and fascination for the grappling martial arts,” her coaches said.

“Although she is one of the smallest in her class, she is so fierce and formidable it’s rare the bigger and larger boys she trains with get a chance to attack her before she is tapping them out with a choke.

“She currently trains four to six days a week, often with professional athletes and adults.

“While Brianna is typically the lightest girl in her division it’s very rare she doesn’t find herself on the winners’ podium.

“Brianna is currently training for the national BJJ championships in Melbourne, if her training pays off, she will be crowned the best grappler for her division in the country.”

Jordan Southern

Age/Division/Weight: 24, Flyweight Division (56kg)

Jordan Southern from Integrated MMA and Fitness has been named by his coaches as one to watch.

Major Achievements: MMA record of 3-1, third fight was title fight, multiple gold medals competing in BJJ at regional and state level.

“Jordan has always fought difficult opponents, earning him a place in the Australian top 10 rankings early in his career,” Southern’s coaches said.

“It has also made him one of the only fighters on the Coast getting all his wins from shows not associated with his gym.

“If the rest of the year is successful for Jordan, he will finish in the top two rankings nationally.

“During fight camps, it’s common practice to break the will of the fighter several times a week but this has proved a difficult task training Jordan.

“He requires several rested training partners while under the stress of fatigue if we have any hope of testing his mental fortitude.

“Jordan’s success has made it difficult to match him, in some cases he has fought opponents with three to six times the fight experience he has.”

Solomon 'Dirty Boy' Zero Davis

Age/Division/Weight: 15, Flyweight

Solomon Zero Davis from Integrated MMA and Fitness has been named by his coaches as one to watch.

Major Achievements: Had first Muay Thai fight aged 10, all of his grappling matches have ended via submission and has received gold medals in Lockdown and Grappling Industries tournaments.

“When I worry about the lack of discipline and respect in our youth today, I remind myself of Solomon,” his coaches said.

“Those of us who have come to know Solomon‘s strength of will and character find solace knowing some among our youth still value discipline, work ethic and a positive mental attitude.

“Solomon regularly trains in the adult classes and spars alongside our professional team.

“The love, support and practice fighting Solomon receives from his brothers is a major ingredient in the recipe for Solomon’s success.”

Declan Wolfinden

Age/Division/Weight: 24, Welterweight (77kg)

Declan Wolfinden from Integrated MMA and Fitness has been named by his coaches as one to watch. Picture: Coastal Combat MMA.

Major Achievements: 2022 middleweight Queensland champion for BJJ, welterweight MMA champion for Coast Combat and holds a current MMA record of 4-1.

“Declan’s only loss came from a close match with the number one ranked fighter in his division in the country,” his coaches said.

“He is fierce and well rounded, making it almost impossible to devise a successful game plan against him.

“Many fighters increase their intensity before a fight for their fight camp but Declan remains fit and disciplined with his training all year round.

“Many of Declan’s experienced training partners are excited to see him on the world stage later in his life.”

Wolfinden will fight a Tasmanian titleholder on the XFC58 card on Saturday, September 3 at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane.

“If Declan wins his match next weekend, it will give him one of the most successful records fighting on shows independent from our gym,” his coaches said.

Team Stalder Muay Thai

Dré Stalder

Age/Division/Weight: 16, 55kg

Dre "TSMT" Stalder from Team Stalder Muay Thai. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Major Achievements: WMO Australian title, silver medallist at the WBC Muay Thai World Youth Championships in Canada and current Destiny title belt holder.

“Dré had just returned from Canada fighting some of the world’s best 16-year-olds,” his coaches said.

“He beat a strong boy from America and came a close second to United Kingdom’s number one boy that had over 65 fights to Dre’s now 20.

“Dré has his goals set and continues to fight anyone put in front of him.

“Taking it all in his stride and always giving us 110 per cent.”

Stalder was able to raise more than $5500 from working full time, training junior fighters, running personal training sessions and receiving donations to help fund his trip to the World Youth Games in Canada.

Jayden Carroll

Age/Division/Weight: 13, 46kg

Team Stalder Muay Thai fighter Jayden Carroll (right) and his coach Brodie Stalder.

Major Achievements: Siam Australian Title, Destiny show title belt holder, Retribution show title belt holder and fighting on October 1 on “Conquest Fight Promotions” for a Queensland title.

“Jayden has been training with us for five years and has gone from strength to strength,” his coaches said.

“Training five to six days a week, always fighting people with more experience or up a weight and beating the majority along the way.

“Jayden is extremely technical, loves to learn and picks up on things fast which is always helpful.

“From a little boy, he’s now a teenager and role model within the gym.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast’s top 12 rising Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai fighters