Michael Alsop’s Story: How MMA Pulled Him Away From a Bad Path — Now He Fights Perci Mwambi at Eternal MMA 102

Some fighters talk about “discipline” like it’s a slogan. Michael Alsop talks about it like it saved his life.

In our latest Australian MMA Podcast episode, the professional flyweight opens up about boxing as a teenager, hitting a rough patch with family issues, falling into drinking and drugs, and the moment his partner Winnie gave him a reality check that changed everything.

That decision led him to jiu-jitsu, then back into striking, then into the Infinite MMA fight team under coach John Campbell — and now into one of the most intriguing matchups on Eternal MMA 102, where Alsop meets the dangerous Perci Mwambi in Sydney on January 31, 2026 (UFC weekend). The event streams on UFC Fight Pass.

If you haven’t watched this full interview yet, this is the one to queue up.

From Boxing to the Brink — and Back Again

Alsop boxed from around 15 to 18, but like a lot of young blokes with too much energy and not enough structure, life got messy. He speaks honestly about drifting into a bad routine — drinking, drugs, and losing direction — before Winnie stepped in and told him what he needed to hear, not what he wanted to hear.

Her message was simple: channel that energy into something constructive. Something productive.

So he did.

He walked into Infinite MMA through jiu-jitsu first, got his blue belt before fully returning to striking, and then one night watching sparring lit the fire again. A week later he wasn’t watching anymore — he was back in it.

That’s the turning point that frames the entire episode: MMA wasn’t just a sport for him. It was a steering wheel.

Life as a Pro Flyweight: Family, Work, Training… and Reality

What makes this chat hit harder is the context. This interview happened on his daughter Aaliyah’s birthday — she turned six — and he still jumped on early to talk camp, family, and fighting.

He breaks down how he manages:

• Strength & conditioning four times a week (two weights, two conditioning sessions)
• MMA / striking / jiu-jitsu classes
• Wednesday wrestling
• Sunday as a hard rest day (and why rest matters as much as the grind)

He also talks nutrition in a way regular people actually understand: keep the weight under control, track macros, stay consistent, don’t blow out just because you’re “out of camp.” Even the birthday cupcake gets “budgeted in.”

It’s the behind-the-scenes reality of Australian MMA that doesn’t get enough airtime.

Infinite MMA: Built Different (Even Without a Gym)

The episode also touches on the chapter that shaped the Infinite MMA team culture: the arson attack that forced them to rebuild and train out of a rough temporary space they called “the bomb shelter.”

Cold. Leaking roof. Bare-bones setup.

And still — by Michael’s telling — the team kept winning. It’s a snapshot of why gyms like Infinite produce fighters who don’t break when things get hard.

You also get insight into the people around him:

• Coach John Campbell (one of the sport’s true characters)
• Training alongside talents like Luke Deli
• Updates on Harry Webb returning to the training room

If you care about the storylines behind the fights, this section alone is worth the watch.

Eternal MMA 102: Michael Alsop vs Perci Mwambi

Now to the fight.

Alsop doesn’t fall into the lazy breakdown trap of “I’ll just knock him out.” He gives Perci Mwambi real respect — and it’s clear he’s done the homework.

Yes, Perci is known for slick submissions. But Michael points out what many overlook: Mwambi can strike too, and he’s dangerous everywhere.

Alsop’s approach is straightforward:

• don’t sleep on any part of Perci’s game
• prepare for wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and striking
• trust his own evolution into a well-rounded pro

Then he drops the line that sums up his mindset perfectly: Perci could be champion one day… just not while Michael’s in the way.

That’s the energy you want going into a fight like this.

“I Didn’t Even Think I’d Get This Far” — The UFC Dream Without the Fairytale

One of the most replayable moments is when Alsop admits he didn’t even picture himself making it this far.

Not fake humility — real self-doubt that he’s had to fight through.

Now, with a strong amateur run and a fast-starting pro career, the goals are bigger — but he’s not talking like a bloke pretending he’s already made it. He’s talking like someone who’s simply decided to keep pushing and see how far the work can take him.

If the UFC comes, it’s a dream come true. But either way, he wants to make the younger version of himself proud — and set the example for his daughter.

That’s a rare kind of honesty in fight interviews.

Why You Should Watch the Full Interview

If you’re into Australian MMA beyond just highlights, this episode delivers:

• a real origin story (not a manufactured one)
• the reality of balancing pro fighting with family life
• a look inside Infinite MMA culture
• genuine insight into Eternal MMA 102 and the Perci Mwambi matchup
• a fighter who actually explains what drives him

And it finishes with the simplest legacy statement: Alsop wants to be remembered as an exciting fighter and a respectful man — especially for his daughter.

Watch Now

Go watch the full Michael Alsop interview on the Australian MMA Podcast and get across this matchup before fight night.

Eternal MMA 102 goes down in Sydney on January 31, 2026, streaming on UFC Fight Pass — and Alsop vs Mwambi is the kind of fight that doesn’t need hype. It just needs eyes on it.

Quick FAQ

When is Eternal MMA 102?
Eternal MMA 102 is on January 31, 2026 in Sydney (UFC weekend).

Who is Michael Alsop fighting at Eternal MMA 102?
Michael Alsop fights Perci Mwambi.

Which gym does Michael Alsop train out of?
Alsop trains out of Infinite MMA, coached by John Campbell.

Where can I watch Eternal MMA 102?
Eternal MMA events stream on UFC Fight Pass.

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