Bare-knuckle TKO debut for King Cowboy in Brisbane

SANTO ‘King Cowboy’ Joma made a roaring statement in his bare-knuckle boxing debut securing a spectacular second-round TKO victory over Viktor Lyall in Brisbane.

Competing in a highly anticipated middleweight clash Joma proved that no judges were needed at his rodeo, forcing a referee intervention at exactly 1.26 into the second round.

The Wonthaggi based African Australian fighter dominated the action from the opening bell, showcasing aggressive inside fighting. The defining moment came late in the second round when Joma exploded on the inside, unleashing a vicious barrage of uppercuts that ultimately forced the referee to halt the contest.

While Joma’s performance was dominant, the stoppage sparked instant debate online.

Fans on social media flooded the official Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship channels with over 5,000 likes and comments within hours opening the possibility of a bareknuckle showdown in the United States.

While many praised "King Cowboy's" electric personality, memorable walkout, and sheer power, a vocal segment of viewers labelled the stoppage premature, pointing out a controversial incident just moments before the finish.

Undeterred by the internet chatter, Joma seized the microphone post-fight to issue a fiery warning to the rest of the world, setting his sights firmly on an American invasion.

“To all of ‘youse’ out there, King Cowboy’s here, he’s staying, and U.S. you’re about to meet an African Australian cowboy,” Joma proclaimed.

“From all of us down under, we’re coming to the U.S. and we’re gonna show you guys how to have a pot roast, so you betta all watch out.”

The highly anticipated bout brought together two of Australia’s most exciting mixed martial artists ready to strip away the gloves and let their knuckles do the talking

Joma, known for his relentless ‘any rules, any time’ attitude, stepped into the biggest bare-knuckle promotion in Australia full of confidence and with the trusted backing of his talented local team.

Joma faced a dangerous opponent in Viktor Lyall. MMA fans and internet users remember Lyall from a viral self-defence video where he famously used precise head kicks to fend off two attackers who were trying to cause trouble.

Both fighters brought a distinct blend of style, power, and combat sports experience to the squared circle. As these traditional MMA fighters transitioned into the raw, fast-paced world of bare-knuckle boxing their matchup promised and delivered high-stakes action and explosive exchanges in front of a sell-out crowd.

“Legend mate, as a fellow Aussie, this makes me proud,” was one of the many comments online. “Dude is a character, what a legend King Cowboy.”

“Bruh is final boss, he been fight lions up to this point, no man gonna beat him.”

Adding to the excitement in the King Cowboy camp, kicking coach James Heenan successfully completed the internationally recognised 127th 3rd Class International Taekwondo Master Course in Newark, New Jersey.

More than one hundred Taekwondo masters and leaders from North America, Central America and South America joined Heenan for the physically and mentally challenging four-day program consisting of extensive theoretical and practical training split roughly in half.

“A great course,” said Heenan on his return to Wonthaggi from the United States.

The certification is officially issued and confirmed by Kukkiwon the World Taekwondo Academy Headquarters based in South Korea. Heenan not only passed the course but was confirmed as an internationally qualified Taekwondo master bringing globally recognised qualifications and international expertise to the Heenan Taekwondo gyms in Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Pakenham, Drouin and the Bass Coast Specialist School.