Christchurch MMA fighter Kieran Joblin chasing top Oceania ranking – Stuff.co.nz

ROBERT VAN ROYEN

Last updated14:37, August 18 2017

STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ

Christchurch MMA fighter Kieran Joblin needs to beat Australian Isaac Hardman to become the top-ranked Oceania lightweight fighter.

Christchurch mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Kieran Joblin has flown to Brisbane with one thought on his mind - getting his No 1 Oceania lightweight ranking back.

Needing to win his next fightto do so, the 28-year-old will take onAustralian Isaac Hardman in the main event at XFC 31 in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Joblin (20-8), whose fighting name is "Stonecutter", had a four-win streak snapped by Japanese pro Kazuki Tokudomeat Pancrase 288 in Tokyo last month, and is itching to bounce back.

Hardman, a strong boxer, has a 7-0 record and the Queenslander will no doubt be boostedby fighting in front of his home-town fans inBrisbane.

READ MORE * Joblin to fight in Tokyo * 'Stonecutter' nabs pro contract * Christchurch MMA fighter chasing UFC dream

However, Joblin is not short of confidence ahead of the fight.

"It's a good fight for me match-up wise. I can see myself winning the fight in every way," Joblin said.

"It's just if I'm patient with the game plan. If I take my time and don't walk into something silly, I should get the win fine."

But Hardmanis no mug.

On the back of a stellar year, he was awarded the 2016 Fight News Australia breakthrough fighter of the year award, before claiming the Australian Fighting Championship lightweight title earlier this year.

Joblin, a stonemason by day, knows full well Hardman has the ability to dish out a knockout blow.

"He fought my teammate in China earlier in theyear, so I got to see that fight and see where he is strong," Joblin said before he flew to Brisbane on Thursday.

"He's got a good pair of hands on him, but I'll be looking to mix it up with my kick-boxing and my wrestling, as well. Make it an MMA fight, not a boxing fight."

All going well in Brisbane, Joblin is eyeing up one or two more fights before the end of the year, including the second and final fight of the Pancrase contract he earned earlier late last year.

Joblin left Japan last month with his head held high, after losing the toughest fight of his career by unanimous decision to Pancrase champion Tokudome.

"It was a very competitive fight," Joblin said. "Everyone else he has fought he has finished in a minute in the first round.

"So I did a good to compete with him. It's just a couple of tactical changes and I can beat these guys. I know I'm good enough to fight with them,it's just being able to defeat them."

-Stuff

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Christchurch MMA fighter Kieran Joblin chasing top Oceania ranking - Stuff.co.nz