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Eternal MMA 107: Van Heerden vs. Hekimoglu Heads Historic Geelong Debut

  • Writer: Abdul-Ahad Patel
    Abdul-Ahad Patel
  • Jun 9
  • 2 min read

Eternal MMA 107 takes place on Saturday, 13th June 2026, at Geelong Arena in Victoria, marking the promotion’s first-ever event in Geelong. The card is headlined by a lightweight bout between former champion Justin Van Heerden and undefeated finisher Emrehan Hekimoglu, with global broadcast coverage on UFC Fight Pass.


Main Event

Justin “Lockjaw” Van Heerden brings the experience edge into the main event. The former Eternal champion owns an 18-10 record and is known as a submission specialist who can wear opponents down with pace, pressure, and veteran composure.


Emrehan “The Ottoman Mutant” Hekimoglu arrives as the younger, more explosive threat. He is 5-2 as a professional, but his reputation is built on fast starts and a perfect first-round finishing rate across his wins, including a 14-second submission at Eternal 105.


That matchup creates a classic clash of styles. Van Heerden will try to drag the fight into deep waters and test the challenger’s cardio, while Hekimoglu will look to make it violent and brief before the former champion can settle in.


Historic Venue

This event matters beyond the main event because it brings Eternal MMA to Geelong for the first time. Hosting a card at Geelong Arena gives the promotion a new regional foothold and adds another city to its Australian footprint.


Co-Main And Support

The co-main event features Jett Fisher against Jesse Swain at featherweight, giving the card another likely high-paced matchup. Featherweight also appears multiple times on the main card, which should help keep the action moving.


Other notable fights include Kim Tran vs. Alish Smith at strawweight, Dee Samasoni vs. Connor Downey at welterweight, and Val Sharipov vs. Alexander Poniris at featherweight. With 13 bouts scheduled, the lineup has enough depth to feel like a proper milestone event rather than a one-fight showcase.


Fighters To Watch

Hekimoglu is the name to watch if you want early finishes and chaos. His recent form suggests he is at his best when he can immediately force transitions and capitalize before opponents warm into the fight.


Van Heerden is the more proven presence and the fighter better suited to a long fight. If he can survive the opening surge and apply his submission game over time, he has a strong route to victory.


Event Importance

Eternal MMA has built a reputation as one of the more important regional promotions in Australia, and this card reflects that growth. A new city, a former champion, and an unbeaten finisher on top gives the show the kind of narrative that can raise its profile.


The supporting cast also helps, with a mix of local talent and international names spread across the card. That should make Eternal MMA 107 one of the more significant Australian MMA cards in June.


Final Outlook

Eternal MMA 107 has the ingredients for a strong regional showcase, led by a genuine style clash in the lightweight main event. Van Heerden’s experience versus Hekimoglu’s explosive finishing ability gives Geelong a clear headline story.


If the veteran can drag the fight into later rounds, the champion’s path back to the top gets clearer. If Hekimoglu gets another fast finish, he could leave the event as one of the promotion’s most dangerous rising names.

 
 
 

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