One million dollars is on the line come Thursday night as Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant look to pull off a stunning upset and defeat Paul Gallen at the ‘Origin Rumble’.
Gallen (12-2, 7KO) is scheduled to face both Hodges (5-1, 2KO) and Ben Hannant (0-1) on the same evening in Brisbane, with both Queensland rivals competing to make $1 million.
As first revealed by News Corp, Hodges and Hannant will make $1 million should they defeat Gallen, although the one to first step into the ring obviously has the advantage there.
Watch Origin Rumble LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Thursday 15 September from 7pm AEST. ORDER NOW >
It is still unclear at this stage who Gallen will face first, although in the lead-up to Thursday’s fight he suggested none of that mattered.
“Whoever I fight first, the second doesn’t worry me. I’ll get the job done,” he said.
“I want to knock them both out. I want to end in style.”
An honest Gallen admitted he was “worried” at first about the prospect of fighting both Hodges and Hannant in the same night but quickly came around to the idea.
“My mindset is totally turned around,” Gallen said.
“I was worried, I was concerned, I was a little bit scared, I was fearful. My mindset is turned around. I know what I’ve got to do. I’m going to hurt them on the night.”
While Gallen is the raging favourite, the former NSW Blues captain said he is not going to fall into the trap of being too complacent, risking either Hannant or Hodges taking home $1 million.
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“I don’t take anything for granted,” he said.
“I know I’ve fought some big names, had some big fights in the past. But these guys are grown men, professional athletes – they have been their whole lives. They’re not going to go in there and lay down and let me beat them up.
“They’re very proud guys, they’ve played at the highest level for a very long time.“It’s still going to be a big challenge, it’s going to be a hard fight … (but) who I’m fighting doesn’t change how I’ve prepared. I’ve prepared so well for this. I’m so fit, I’m so strong. I’m ready to go.”
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There is plenty to look forward to on the undercard too, with Junior Tafa looking to impress UFC president Dana White after taking quite a bold gamble.
Tafa, who tipped the scales at 102 kilograms, is slated to face the 146.4-kilogram monster David Tuliloa, giving up almost 46 kilograms to his rival.
The 25-year-old, who is the young brother of Australian UFC heavyweight Justin Tafa, wants to get the attention of the UFC world with his performance on Thursday.
“When the UFC starts looking for names here in Australia, I want mine to be popping,” Tafa said .
“I want to be the fighter who is active and knocking guys out. I want to be in the UFC by early next year. Want to share a place on the same card as my brother.”
Watch Origin Rumble LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Thursday 15 September from 7pm AEST. ORDER NOW >
Another intriguing fight sees two of Justis Huni’s victims — Arsene Fosso and Joe Goodall — get in the ring.
Fosso’s story is remarkable, with the Cameroon refugee telling foxsports.com.au earlier in the week of how training with UFC star Francis Ngannou has helped shape his rise in the heavyweight division.
Goodall’s latest fight ended in defeat to Huni in what was deemed the biggest Australian heavyweight fight in over a century.
Now the 30-year-old is looking to return to the ring in style in what is scheduled to be the final fight before Gallen’s second bout.
In the fight prior, Benjamin Hussain will look to ride a four-fight win streak when he faces
Lachie Higgins for the IBO Oceania-Orient middleweight title.
WHAT TIME DOES IT START?
The undercard starts from 7pm (AEST) with at least an hour between Gallen’s two fights.
HOW TO WATCH THE FIGHT
Order it on Main Event via Foxtel or streaming on Kayo Sports.
MAIN CARD
Paul Gallen vs. Justin Hodges OR Ben Hannant
Joe Goodall vs Arsene Fosso
Ben Hussain vs. Lachie Higgins
Paul Gallen vs. Ben Hannant OR Justin Hodges
Junior Tafa vs. David Tuliloa
Ty Telford vs. Vanlalawmpuia
Jack Bowen vs. Renold Quinlan
PRELIMS
Miles Zalewski vs. Shiva Mishra
Jalen Tait vs. Krishnil Mudaliar
Angel Rushton vs. Ange Harries
Desley Robinson vs. Stephanie Mfongwot
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