From rugby to MMA: Howard Sililoto set to debut at the Stealth Fighters League

Amateur MMA fighter Howard Sililoto is embracing his late entrance to the sport as he prepares for his debut at the Stealth Fighters League event.

Sililoto is eager to stamp his mark at Manuka Doctor Arena later this month where he will face Hamilton's Henare Ngahure in Auckland.

Speaking with Pacific Huddle's Tuilagi William Leolahi, Sililoto reflected on the nostalgia that inspired his leap into combat sports.

“I was a big fan of wrestling growing up so I was a massive fan of The Rock. And there was one day I got a DVD from one of my mates in school and it was an MMA organisation and I was hooked.

“The hype and everything else was real, so that’s what drew me into it and I got into training a few years ago and now I’m here.”

Having switched from rugby to MMA just a few years ago, the proud East Aucklander is adamant on not letting age keep you from doing what you love.

“For me, I'm a bit older in this fight game... but there still is hope for you from chasing your dreams, even if you're at an age like mine."

While Sililoto is confident in his abilities inside the cage, priding himself on his unpredictability and agility, those strengths were earnt through a career turning point: his first loss overseas in December 2024.

“I felt like I lost myself because mentally I wasn’t there and I was emotional. That was the toughest… a mirror being put up and I couldn’t really recognise myself.

Howard Sililoto representing the Northland Taniwha's in the 2020 National Provincial Championship. Photo/Facebook

“And I just felt like I was stuck in a wet blanket and I couldn’t get out. So that was the toughest for me, realizing you might not be there [mentally] and it’s going to be really dangerous.”

Sililoto also shares that his faith in Jesus has “always pulled me through all the tough times” and it has helped him develop other areas for his success.

“I’ve discovered that being happy has been really helpful for me, but I used to feel like I have to be angry,” saying the anger would take him to a “real emotional spot where I wasn’t myself and I couldn’t recognise myself.”

Listen to Howard Sililoto's full interview below.

“So having that mindset of just being happy and grateful to have the opportunity to show what I can do” Sililoto says.

Sililoto will compete in one of four matches in the ‘Up & Comers’ amateur division, with the co-main and main event to follow.

Despite only recording two fights, Sililoto says he just wants to put his “best foot forward, not just for myself, but for my community and my people.”