All Blacks bounce back, UFC takes over Perth

Malo e lelei! It’s been another huge week in sports here in the South Pacific, with the Rugby Championship in full swing, while the fight for a finals spot in the NRL heats up and the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC took over Perth in Western Australia. Let’s get stuck in!

1. UFC 305 takes over Perth

There was plenty of action on Sunday as Perth hosted three New Zealand-based fighters, and two Pacific athletes in the UFC305 card. The bout began at 7am local time, and the main card did not get underway until three hours later - crazy!

For our fighters involved, the card kicked off with heavyweight Junior Tafa, who was stopped after a verbal tap-out against Valter Walker. The Avondale-raised fighter was unhappy with the decision to end the fight, after he felt he had success on the feet stunning his opponent early on. He slapped his opponent in frustration following their contest.

Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa followed Tafa in the first bout for the main card. Tuivasa has been on a losing streak and needed a big win but the mountain seemed too high to climb against Jairzinho Rozentruick from Suriname in South America.

Tuivasa was outstruck on the feet, and lost by decision. Though, one of the judges who scored the fight in favour of Tuivasa, was shockingly fired mid-broadcast. How bizarre.

Dan the “Hangman” Hooker was up next, pulling off an outstanding win against fifth-ranked contender Mateusz Gamrot. Hooker weathered the Gamrot’s takedown attempts with excellent defence. With his forward pressure and clinical striking, he secured a split-decision win.

Kai “Don’t Blink” Kara-France did not disappoint in his return to the octagon. The #3-ranked flyweight secured his 12th knockout in the division, finishing Perth-native Steve Erceg in the first round. When asked how he secured so many KOs, Kara-France said, “Because I’m Maori, bro”. How good is that.

And finally, Israel “the Last Stylebender” Adesanya returned to the ring for the first time in five year to face the Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. Adesanya looked clinical during the striking exchanges, with both fighters giving it their all. Adesanya was forced to submit in the fourth round, breaking the hearts of fans around the world.

It was great to see our corner of the world put on a show for the UFC, which draws millions of viewers around the world.

2. All Blacks defend Eden Park record

They’ve done it. Fifty test wins at the Garden of Eden! There was speculation the ABs couldn’t get it done after their upset loss to the Pumas last week. But the men in black came out with a vengeance securing a 42-10 drubbing of the visitors from Argentina.

The All Blacks looked in control from the first whistle, and were rewarded for their physicality and slick ball play led by Damian McKenzie and captain courageous Ardie Savea, who demanded physicality from his forward pack. And that’s what he got.

The ABs now head to South Africa where they face the World Cup champion Springboks for the first time since the two sides met in the 2023 RWC final in Paris.

The All Blacks will need to continue that physicality coming up against the back-to-back world champs, which will open space for their finishers, who were clinical against the Pumas, to score points.

3. Warriors drop game to in-form Sea Eagles

Ah yes, my beloved Warriors, again have lost to round out a frustrating season. The Wahs looked great in the first half, but again, the second-half effort from the side didn’t hold out Manly, losing 24-10 at 4 Pines Park in Sydney.

The Warriors’ forward pack were monstrous, with Addin Fonua-Blake and Mitchell Barnett often marching the team down the field.

But their finesse to score points once in the Sea Eagles’ red-zone was not good enough. Their options on attack were often shut down by Manly’s strong defence, and the wet conditions did not help, making it difficult for the boys to get any forward-going.

Watch the our full sports wrap here:

4. Neilani Helu defends Pacific title

One of Tonga’s champion boxers continued her reign for the South Pacific title, winning her bout against Tinta Smith at the weekend.

Helu has been absent from the ring for a year, and accepting this fight against Hamilton-based Smith happened within a month’s notice.

“It was a very busy, active fight, and hey, it could have gone either way. I don't want to sound biased, but I honestly thought my girl had done enough, but hey, a big ups to Nailini." said Tinti Smith's head coach and event organiser Dion McNabney.

"She fought her heart out as well, and yeah, it was a brilliant eight rounds and the girls put on an unbelievable performance to a sold out house.”

Their first fight in 2022 ended in a majority decision in favour of the Tongan fighter, and this fight was no different. Stretching the full eight rounds, Helu raised her hand with a split-decision win.

5. The Bloodline lay waste to the OTC

All eyes were on the “Ula Fala” in the latest episode of Smackdown, as the Original Tribal Chief Roman Reigns returned to reclaim his title as leader of the Bloodline.

Reigns stormed to the ring to take out Tama Tonga, and Solo Sikoa, beating them inside and outside of the ring. Sikoa was disarmed of the Ula Fala, leaving Reigns to pick it up and put the famed necklace back on himself in an emotional reunion.

Reigns breathed a huge sigh of relief, but the moment was short lived. Jacob Fatu returned to the ring and put a beating on Reigns. The brawl spilled outside the ring where the Bloodline power bombed Reigns into the table.

Dragging Reigns back in the ring, the Bloodline stood above the OTC in a moment of dominance.

Condolences:

Our deep condolences go to Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa’i), whose father Leati Sika Amituana'i Anoa'i and uncle Gataivasā Afa Amituanaʻi Anoaʻi the “Wild Samoans” passed away in the past two weeks.

Matty’s Golden Point

Matty’s Golden Point is a piece of advice shared on 531pi’s Pacific Grandstand show.

“Some have the will to win, but others fail to have the will to prepare to win.”

Inky Johnson