MMA: National title 10 years in making

BJ Bland (centre) shows off his MMA national welterweight belt with Chris eaton (left) and Kim Eaton. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

WHEN BJ Bland was 13 he took up kickboxing because a teenager robbed him of his hoodie in his hometown of Stratford, Taranaki - so he decided to join a karate club.

"He was a bigger fellow so I had to learn to stand up for myself," said Bland, who has been living and working as a builder in Hastings for the past four years.

But little did he know that a martial arts discipline would 14 years later put him on the national sporting grid.

On Saturday, Bland was crowned the New Zealand Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) champion in the welterweight division after he defeated John Vake, of Auckland, in a split points decision.

"My footwork was better and I landed clearer shots," said the 27-year-old before he returned with his belt from Auckland following the main event of the 13-bout promotion under the Shuriken New Zealand umbrella.

A "stand-up" exponent who does a bit of grappling, Bland faced Vake, who comes from a power wrestling background, in three five-minute rounds at the North Shore Events Centre.

"He pushed me up against the fence in the first half of the opening round but I defended myself and after that I stayed in the middle of the cage and threw some clean shots."

He said Vake had entered the ring with the ISKA welterweight New Zealand belt around his waist.

"It's my first national title. I've been fighting for 10 years and always came up short so it's my best achievement to date."

Hawke's Bay Magpie Chris Eaton is his strength and conditioning coach.

"I've seen some high level athletes but you'd be hard pressed to find someone with a better training ethic," said Eaton whose older brother, Kim, runs the Combat Room Hawke's Bay gym in Hastings with Bland.

Kim Eaton is Bland's grappling and MMA coach while Ryan Whittaker, of Napier Boxing Gym, is his boxing mentor.

Bland intends to jet off to the Gold Coast in Australia before Christmas to hone his prowess.

"I'll stay there early into the new year," said the man who had his first MMA bout when he was 18.

Bland thanked his Hastings sponsors, Relocate Homes, and Panel and Paint who operate from Henderson Rd, adding it would be tough without them.