Among the Pacific Combat, local line-up is undefeated kickboxer Scholar Marshall, 23, representing the Avatiu Kickboxing Club. SUPPLIED/26101918
Fighters from the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australia will come together this Friday for an international night of combat sports at the Telecom Sports Arena.
The Pacific Combat Fight Series 2026 will feature kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai and submission grappling, with local athletes set to compete against visiting fighters.
Sanctioned by the International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA), the event aims to provide Cook Islands fighters with valuable international competition experience in front of a home crowd.
Among the local line-up is undefeated kickboxer Scholar Marshall, 23, representing the Avatiu Kickboxing Club.
Marshall enters the event with an impressive record of 12 wins, no losses and no draws.
He will be joined by fellow Cook Islands fighters Martin Stetka, Dugall Raita, Aryan Singh, Julius David, Rimamotu Putaura and Kainuku Mahuta, representing a mix of experienced competitors and emerging talent.
Stetka, 36, represents Roll Raro Club and is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt.
Visiting athletes include fighters from Mai Dojo in New Zealand and Pacific MMA in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
Organisers say the event is about more than a single fight night, with the aim of creating pathways for local athletes, strengthening relationships with overseas combat sports clubs and providing opportunities to gain experience at an internationally sanctioned event.
The programme also includes school visits, media interviews, community demonstrations and practical training for local officials on the installation and safety checks of a competition ring.
The Australian team is scheduled to visit Nukutere College and attend the Muri Night Market on Wednesday, while the New Zealand team will visit Tereora College on Thursday.
Both teams will also take part in community demonstrations during fight week.
The event has brought together local businesses, officials, medical personnel and volunteers, with Monster Energy supporting the series as its official beverage sponsor.
The official weigh-in will take place at the Telecom Sports Arena on Thursday, October 22, at 4pm.
On Friday, October 23, doors open at 4pm, with the first fights scheduled to begin at 5pm.
Ticket prices are $20 for youth aged 12 to 17, $40 for general admission, $80 for ringside seats and $150 for VIP seating. Children under 12 enter free.
Organisers are encouraging the Cook Islands community to attend and support local fighters as they represent their clubs and country on home soil.
For updates, follow the Pacific Combat Fight Series Facebook page.