David Bendall started the Muay Thai Christchurch (MTC) club in 2016. Since then, the club has grown dramatically, to the point where David has over 100 students. He has been training kickboxing for 14 years, starting his journey at Proactive Martial Arts and progressing from there.

David is currently 28 years old but started fighting back in 2009, fighting at a range of weights from 85kg up to 100kg. In his fight career, he has fought in many high-profile fights including numerous title fights. He holds a record of 14-5-0 and is heading to Wellington this weekend to take on the Lion Pit's Navajo Stirling for a New Zealand Full Thai rules title.

Fight News’ Harry Greenfield went to MTC to visit Dave on his home turf and ask him about his fighting career.

Hi Dave. I hear you have a New Zealand title fight in Wellington this weekend against Navajo Stirling. Have you changed anything up in this camp to deal with his height and reach?

“Yeah, the last guy I fought – John Henry Love – was quite tall and was a southpaw. So, that was a pretty good lead-in to this, I think he was 6’4”; the same height as Navajo. He was my first fight back in a while. He was a good opponent for me; he was tough.

“With Nav, I know he’s a slick operator, so I really feel like he’s a good test to measure myself against.”

You’re known as something of a murderous puncher. What is your favourite ruleset to fight under?

“Am I? Hahaha.

“I like Thai. I prefer Thai rules, but I’ll fight anything. That’s what this weekend’s title fight is under; full Thai rules. I’m not so much of a fan of the other stuff. K1 is all good, though, haha.”

What are your most memorable achievements?

“My best achievements during my time of consistent fighting were the North Island K1 title, the South Island Full Thai title, and the New Zealand K1 title. I sort of just went from one to the other; bam, bam, bam.

“For a while there I would win a couple, then lose one, then win a couple. But then I went on a streak where I won my next 10 fights in a row between about 2012 and 2015, before losing to Ricky (Esilva) on a return.

“Also, I went to Spain to represent New Zealand in 2015 and won two gold medals.”

You won two gold medals in Spain? What weight class were these fights in?

“The three earlier titles were at 90kg; two had same-day weigh-ins and the other was the day before.

“The fights in Spain were open weight. I went all the way over there and I missed my weight class, eh, haha.”

Well, you still won gold! Which weight are you fighting at this weekend?

“This weekend’s title fight weight limit is under 100kg. I’m on weight now though; for this whole camp I’ve just been smashing Burgerfuel just to keep my calories up, eh.”

What are your roots in fighting; how did you get started?

“Just me and my cousin (Luke Graham). He’s actually down here now to be my pad holder. We used to always watch martial arts movies together and fast-forward to the fight scenes.

And then the movie Ong Bak came out. Before it was in English, it was all in Thai. We fast-forwarded Ong Bak and we were like ‘Muay Thai!? What the f***! This is awesome!’ and that’s how I got started, haha.”

Which is your most satisfying victory so far?

“Yeah it would be my New Zealand title fight, against a very explosive puncher. It was good fun, like, I was half-concussed during that fight. That’s probably the worst I’ve ever felt from getting hit during a fight.

“I can’t remember the guy’s name, but it was a New Zealand WKA title under K1 rules at 90kg, when I was a little bit lighter, haha.”

What is your opinion on the standard of officiating in New Zealand fight sports?

 “I have seen some occasions where a fight has gone on too long, where it’s upset me to see a fighter’s eyes and know that he is gone, yet the ref lets it go on. I’m thinking ‘what are you doing? Why is this fight going on?’. He might be standing, but he’s not there.

“I never like to see someone get properly hurt like that when it can be avoided.

(Regarding fight officiating) “Yeah, some people are pretty passionate about it. I’m fine with it. We’re all trying to do our best; all the fight promoters, all of the gym owners and trainers. No one is trying to be a dick or anything; we’re all just doing our best.”

Do you want to eventually become a full-time coach when you stop fighting?

“Yeah, I’m already a coach, I’ve got over 100 students, haha. I think a lot of other coaches would agree that there’s not the best amount of money involved in this game.

“I’ve got a pretty good career as well (sales manager), but I just wanna give this another go. I’m gonna try to whack this next four years out consistently.”

So, you’re going to keep fighting hard for another four years?

“Yeah. I still feel like I’m still way off the mark yet. I might be jumping into these fights but in terms of my physicality; I’m not where I should be. I could be in a lot better physical condition. I’m gonna give it another good push for the next four years.”

Thanks for taking the time, Dave. All the best for your title fight this weekend!

David fights Navajo Stirling for a NZ title fight this Saturday night at Roar Fight Night 3 which takes place at the Lower Hutt Event Centre. Ticket information is available at www.roarfightnights.com.

Check out Muay Thai Christchurch at Unit 6, 515 Wairakei Road in Burnside, Christchurch. Or on their Facebook page.