Martial Arts: Whanganui ready for another Night of Assassins show

Just some of the fighters and champions who will compete at Night of Assassins 3 at Springvale Stadium on November 3.

It will be another massive fight night at Springvale Stadium in November as a potential 16 fight card will include at least two championship matches and a four-man middleweight elimination tournament.

'Night of Assassins 3' will follow up the two successful events held last year, the main event will be headlined by Assassins Muay Thai regular Brendon Wallace.

Now on an 11 fight winning streak with the last five victories coming by knock out, Wallace has been on a tear around the North Island both in between and after the previous two home events, which included winning the vacant IKBF NZ middleweight title at Night of Assassins 2 last November.

Organiser Kyle Gallacher, of Assassins Muay Thai Gym, said Wallace was confident enough to now move up a few weight divisions to face Wellington's Navajo Stirling for the NZMF North Island heavyweight title.

Stirling is "an undefeated, rising talent from Wellington", Gallacher said.

"Our last two shows have been epic and this one is gonna be our biggest yet."

Part of the reason Wallace vs Stirling will be going on last is the regular Night of Assassins main eventer Mike Makatea-Leylander is planning on having two fights on the same night.

Makatea-Leylander, who won and then defended his IKBF NZ light middleweight crown at the last two Night of Assassins shows, will finally get to test himself in the elimination tournament format of three round fights, competing in the middleweight divison.

'Tha Muss' has been eager to have a go at tournament fighting, which is quite different from five-round title matches.

He attended the 'Battle in the Waikato' show in September last year to do exactly that, but one of the other three fighters did not make the 76kg weight limit, leaving an annoyed Makatea-Leylander with a single three round fight instead, which he lost narrowly on points to Sam Watts (Warriors Muay Thai).

Headlining that Waikato show was Awa Kings president Lee Kara, who achieved his dream by winning the WKA New Zealand K1 super heavyweight title from Auckland giant Dave Tuitupou, who towered over him at 2.04m and was 37kg heavier.

Kara hoped to add the IKBF NZ super heavyweight belt to his collection only two months later at Night of Assassins 2, but experianced Jackals fighter Moe Hussain won the points decision.

Kara will get a shot at redemption in front of his home supporters as Gallacher has set up a NZ Super Heavyweight title fight for him.

Other fights and opponents will be announced in due course.

Night of Assassins 3 will be on Saturday, November 3.

Public tickets will be going on sale this month from Inspire Gym on Wilson St, Whanganui.

Corporate tables are on sale now, and can be booked by calling 027 855 7382.