Christchurch contest will see Sonny Kirisome professionally debut

A heavyweight showdown in Christchurch this weekend will mark the professional debut of Australian-Sāmoan fighter Sonny Kirisome.

Kirisome is set to face Dhcamad Armstrong in the co-main event at Wolfbrook Arena, where Armstrong will defend his Ultimate Badass Champion belt as part of the Stealth Fighters League card.

Speaking to Pacific Huddle host Tuilagi William Leolahi, Kirisome says the fight represents the culmination of an unexpected journey.

He explains he only began training in 2021 after signing up for a 20-week Wimp 2 Warrior programme, renamed to the Ultra programme.

“You train for 20 weeks and have a fight at the end of it - I just saw that on Facebook,” Kirisome says. “I grew up playing rugby league, and I never trained in any combat sport, but I've always been interested in it.

“When I saw that ad, I looked it up on YouTube and just started watching fights.”

Confident he could take on some of the guys he saw on YouTube, Kirisome thought he would give the programme a go; however, he was humbled when he hit the gym.

“I wasn't as good as I thought, but that is what drives me to keep going. It was fun to learn, and when I did my fight, I won it in round one in 27 seconds or something - and that feeling of winning, it was addictive. My coaches were like ‘you could do something with this’.

With newfound belief instilled by his coaches, Kirisome is now making his professional debut.

Listen to Sonny Kirisome's full interview below.

The night will also feature a middleweight title contest for local fighter Fergus Jenkins and a flyweight title bout between Nikora Lee-Kingi and Viet Anh Do.

For Kirisome, professional-level opportunities have been difficult to secure, with several contracts falling through.

To secure this fight, in the Stealth Fighters League, it is a coup, along with fighting for a belt, which Kirisome says is unheard of for a professional debut fight.

“I'm glad they reached out and I'm grateful that Mr Armstrong also accepted this fight knowing it's my debut - he has a wealth of experience,” Kirisome adds.

“If I'm able to put on the performance that I want, I can make a statement and get my name out there. That’s what I want, to stamp my name into the pro-scene and make my way to the top from there.”

Kirisome credits his training partners and growing Christian faith for shaping his mindset ahead of the contest. His day-to-day includes “putting nails in the gym”, putting work in with his team, going to church and praying.

“I am just trying to not take on too much and leave it up to God. I put in the work and I follow God's plan - I'm excited for the night.”

He also draws inspiration from Sāmoan fighters such as Mark Hunt, who have shown Pacific athletes can succeed at the sport’s highest level

As fight night approaches, Kirisome insists he will embrace the moment regardless of outcome.

Ultimately, he hopes to motivate young Polynesians not only in fighting but in any career.

“For me to also try and inspire other young Polynesians is a big thing because that was me once upon a time,” Kirisome says. “I look up to Mark Hunt and what he did for the sport so I know what it's like to see Polynesians doing their thing.

He encourages aspiring young Pacific fighters to chase what they are hungry for, and to take the first step towards achieving that goal.

“That was the hardest thing for me, getting out of my comfort zone and worried about being judged. There's always higher expectations from Sāmoan parents, especially my old man.

“He wanted us to focus on our education and sometimes that's not for all of us, ao, as vital as it is, sometimes you have to chase what you want. If you have a good family, good support, you'll get there...take that first step.”

The Stealth Fighters League 3 event takes place this Saturday, with tickets available on Ticketmaster.