Beatdown Promotions 5 saw the local promotion continue its unprecedented early run of successful and high quality MMA events here in Queensland. With arguably one of its biggest headlining fights to date, the main event saw local star Jamie Edenden take on former Bellator fighter and international women’s MMA icon, Janay Harding. In an upset that has truly shaken up the local scene and potentially catapulted a burgeoning star to the international scene, Beatdown Promotions delivered another exciting night of fights for the local scene.

The main card had several highlight moments. Jackson Weir White continued building his name as one of the most devastating opponents on the local scene in Australia, surviving a bad eye poke in the first round before securing a devastating knockout over a very game Matt Kindness. Max Kelly, a fighter with the gift of gab and exciting fight style also gained his first professional victory at Beatdown, a significant milestone for the young prospect fighting out of Base.

Local flyweight sensation Stewart Nicoll once again displayed why he is one of the most exciting prospects out of Australia. Gaining another dominant win via his patented grappling game, Stewart made it clear that the time is soon upon us for him to make his mark on the international scene. With a 7-0 record and six of his seven wins coming via finish, it is more than likely that international fans will soon be introduced to this up-and-coming Australian flyweight. In building a division that has quickly gone from one of the most overlooked divisions to one of the most exciting in the UFC, Mick Maynard and the UFC should definitely keep a close eye on Stewart Nicoll.

Stewart Nicoll After Another Dominant Victory
Photo Credit: Beatdown Promotions

Undoubtedly, the performance of the night belongs to Jamie Edenden. Heading into her high profile matchup with Janay Harding, it would not be hyperbole to say that practically no one was giving Jamie a legitimate chance of beating Janay Harding. Based primarily off Janay’s international experience against tough opposition, it was assumed that her range, striking and experience would simply be too much for the local fighter to handle. Jamie kept her composure and worked a simple yet incredibly effective gameplan of staying on the inside and utilizing her forward pressure to offset Janay establishing her range early. This approach put Janay behind on the score cards early, leading to Jamie, essentially, pulling away with the fight throughout three rounds before securing a dominant takedown towards the end of the third round, leading to a unanimous decision victory.

In her post fight interview, Jamie called her shot for the PFL or Bellator, this win certainly adding legitimacy to her being ready for the international stage.