June 17, 2025
Matty Iann: "I'm the Champion Already" Ahead of Eternal MMA Interim Bantamweight Title Clash
A Star in the Making
Matty Iann may be just 2–0 as a professional, but he carries himself like a seasoned veteran. Training out of Australian Top Team in Sydney, Iann steps into the cage on June 21 to take on knockout artist Conor Birch for the Eternal MMA Interim Bantamweight Title, a bout that could define the next generation of Australian MMA.
"I'm not too fussed about the belt. I'm more worried about taking heads and putting names on my record."
Mental Edge and a Change of Scenery
Despite his youth, Iann brings a wealth of experience from a long amateur career. For this camp, he and his team made the decision to finish training in Thailand, near the iconic Tiger Muay Thai, seeking fewer distractions and a tighter focus.
"We just came over here and got the work in. Less distractions, more time to train."
With coach Suman Mokhtarian by his side for every session, Iann insists this move wasn’t about replacing coaches but refreshing the mind.
The Birch Challenge
Conor Birch is known as the boogeyman of the bantamweight division, a reputation Iann doesn’t shy away from.
"I heard people say it would be a good fight. As soon as I heard that, I told Suman: 'Get me the match.'"
With crisp striking, fluid movement, and a reputation for adjusting mid-fight, Iann is confident his style will be too much over five rounds.
"If it gets to Round 4 or 5, you're going to see a better version of me."
What’s at Stake
While Kuya Ito remains the undisputed champ on paper after his Road to UFC run, the winner of Iann vs Birch is expected to be next in line for a unification bout. Iann, however, already sees himself at the top.
"To me, mentally, I am the champion already."
UFC Dreams, Real Plans
Iann has been planning this life since he was 16, writing down goals and chasing them relentlessly. With a plumbing trade behind him and full-time fight training now his focus, he’s gunning for a UFC contract by 2026, and his team believes he’ll make it.
"Everything's gone, if not better, than I planned."
Built for the Game
A fighter with instincts, discipline, and flair, Iann credits his upbringing in Blacktown and early start in kickboxing for his toughness and style. With a fighting IQ sharpened by constant tape study, he describes his instincts as his biggest weapon.
"I'm a fighter in life. I always win those 50-50 battles."
Final Prediction
Expect fireworks. Iann predicts a war early, then a late finish:
"We're going to have a f***ing war for the first three rounds, he's going to start wilting because I'm a durable person... I'm going to finish him in the fourth or the fifth."
