Blair Bretag’s Big Shot: A New Middleweight King on June 21?

After tearing through the ranks, Blair Bretag steps into the Eternal cage with nothing to lose and everything to gain. A product of Team Compton, he trains alongside elite company, Tom Nolan, Stew Nicol, John Martin Fraser, and Dave Martinez, all of whom are either UFC-bound or have flirted with that level.

"I'm either going out on my shield in a minute… or I’m finishing it in a minute." – Blair Bretag

Bretag brings a dangerous blend of athleticism, Muay Thai experience, and a mature, methodical approach—refined through a late start in MMA after nearly pursuing a professional AFL career with the Brisbane Lions Academy.

The Return of Vendy

For Darcy Vendy, this title defense could be his final appearance on home soil. Many expected his win over John Martin Fraser to be his Eternal send-off before a UFC Contender Series call-up.

Now, with one more challenge on the table, he's back to prove he's the best middleweight in the country.

“If Darcy beats Blair, it’s hard to argue against him going straight to the Contender Series.” – Mitch Tinley, Australian MMA Podcast

Bretag’s Rise Through the Chaos

Bretag’s path to the title hasn’t been straightforward. After his hard-fought loss to Cam Aston, rather than sit on the sidelines, he stepped up a division to stay active and sharpen his tools at light heavyweight. That adaptability, and mindset, reflect a fighter who isn’t waiting for the stars to align.

"Instead of staying stagnant, I jumped up to light heavyweight and stayed ready."

With the middleweight division opening up after John Martin Fraser's loss, this fight against Vendy became inevitable.

Grappling Questions, Championship Answers

Bretag has heard the online critiques of his ground game. And with Vendy’s skill set, it’s fair to expect some heavy grappling pressure.

“We’ll find out next week… but yeah, I think Darcy’s going to want to grapple a little bit.”

Yet don’t mistake Bretag’s respect for fear. He’s fought high-level competition before—and plans to make this his moment.

The Next Generation is Here

Blair represents a wave of Australian MMA talent rising fast. In an era where fighters like George Mangos and Maran Rihiki leap into title fights with undefeated records, Bretag’s trajectory is a signal that the sport is evolving fast, and so is its audience.

Beyond the Cage: Blair’s Business Moves

Away from the cage, Bretag runs a growing coaching business and YouTube channel, capturing the culture and chaos of Team Compton from the inside. He’s documenting the journey—not just to connect with fans, but to build something lasting after the gloves are hung up.

"You’re funding something with no short-term return, but it’s all about building for the long game."

Prediction Time

When asked for his prediction, Bretag doesn’t mince words:

"You’ll have a new middleweight champion."

Whether that plays out in one minute or five rounds, fans can expect fireworks when Blair Bretag vs Darcy Vendy headlines Eternal 96.

Fight Details:

• 🥋 Eternal MMA 96
• 📍 Southport Sharks, Gold Coast, QLD
• 📅 June 21, 2025
• ⏰ Stream begins 8:00 PM AEST on UFC Fight Pass

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