The main card of Eternal 50 at Sky City Convention Centre had more than its share of action. City Kickboxing extended their unbeaten streak to six for the evening, as BJ Bland took out tough veteran Iain Blade via guillotine choke in round two.

Blood Diamond took out a gutsy Dimps Gillies over three rounds, while Talor Wetere strangled James McBride via rear naked choke in round one.

Iain Blade (Lost Boys) vs BJ Bland (City Kickboxing)

Round one saw Bland as the aggressor early, backing Blade up and landing n overhand right which staggered Blade, who transitioned into a double-leg against the fence. Bland snatched his neck and cranked the standing guillotine, using it to end up on top of Blade.

 Blade turned towards him and tried to stand up, but Bland advanced towards the mount, scooping up Blade’s legs with his own. Bland dropped some hard punches from the top when Blade tried to get up, taking the back and sinking in both hooks. Blade fought the hands enough to prevent the choke, but it seemed that Bland was one step ahead, scrambling effectively and keeping a dominant position for most of the round. 10-9 Bland.

The second round saw Blade fight from the outside as Bland chased him down into the clinch, quickly locking up a guillotine. This one was too tight and Blade succumbed, tapping out in submission.

Dimps Gillies (Bodyshot FC) vs Blood Diamond (City Kickboxing)

Mike Blood Diamond had perhaps the most entertaining walkout of the evening, dancing to the ring wearing a purple tracksuit. Dimps a Kiwi but fighting out of Brisbane.

The first round belonged to Blood Diamond, as he made Dimps pay for every clinch with knees on the inside and headkicks on the break. Clearly the superior striker, Diamond kept Dimps off his hips and kept him at bay with nasty straight punches and kicks, narrowly missing a couple of spinning kicks.

The second round was closer but began with more of the same, with Dimps getting worked on the feet but being unable to find much success in the clinch. Dimps was indomitable though, keeping the pressure on and not letting his opponent rest for a second, finding some success with pressure and landing a couple of punch combinations on his way into the clinch. Towards the end of the round Dimps landed a nice superman punch but ate a couple of hard elbows. A closer round but still Blood Diamond’s.

Round three saw Dimps take the centre but eat a few straight shots before finally getting Mike to the canvas. Mike quickly got to his feet, that CKB wrestling training on full display. In a wild exchange, Blood Diamond landed a three-piece and soda which rocked Dimps’ head like a pinball machine. Dimps is tough as a coffin nail, though, coming on ever stronger and keeping the pressure on, seemingly impervious to lasting damage.

To close the fight a wild exchange ensued, with Dimps trying for that home-run hit, but Diamond too slick., taking a clear unanimous decision victory.

James McBride (Lost Boys) vs Talor Wetere (City Kickboxing)

After a fiery start wherein both men traded blows, Talor ‘the Swift’ Wetere made short work of James McBride in his professional debut. Stunning McBride with a punch he followed up on the ground, dropping some ground-and-pound as McBride scrambled to attack a single-leg.

Wetere spun on top, keeping the pressure on until McBride gave his back, at which point he pounced and sunk a hook in, already threatening the choke. McBride tried to scrape him off against the cage, but Wetere was not to be budged, sinking the second hook and inexorably getting his arm under the chin.

McBride tried to fight the hands, but it was too late. Wetere had the choke sunk and McBride tapped after around a minute of the first round.