TWO of Raymond Terrace trainer Rod Staader's best mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters will compete for Australian belts in the next two months.
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Matt Sullivan, who holds five state titles, will look to add two Australian title belts to his collection with fights scheduled for October 19 and November 22.
Blake Edwards, a state and East Coast belt holder, also has an Australian title fight lined up for November 1, which could be downgraded by the fight promoter to an interstate title.
"They have really lifted their level in the past two years," Staader said.
"Blake and Matt have built themselves up from the amateur ranks and now they are aiming for that Australian title."
Edwards, from Beresfield, and Sullivan, from Barnsley, have trained with Staader at Nova MMA and Kickboxing for five and four years respectively.
Edwards had his debut MMA fight in Cambodia in March 2013.
He faced a heavier and heavily favoured opponent only to win in the second round.
Since then, Edwards has earned the East Coast Muay Thai belt in the 60 and 64-kilogram divisions plus a NSW state title.
Sullivan has earned three International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) belts in the 64.5kg division and two World Kickboxing Association (WKA) belts.
Edwards and Sullivan are Staader's first two fighters to go through the ranks and debut in fights.
He said he had another handful of fighters who have come up through the ranks that had a good shot at successful fighting careers.
"There are another five fighters behind them [Edwards and Sullivan] who are doing really well and have a chance at a state title."
Nova MMA and Kickboxing operates out of the Raymond Terrace Squash Court.