Dunedin’s Kasib Murdoch won the senior featherweight title at the IMMAF World Championships staged in Serbia last month.
He was overwhelmed with emotion immediately after winning an unanimous decision against Portugal’s Alexandre Rita in the final.
"Just all the hard work you put in that no-one sees — they just see the end part. All that just comes out in a rush of emotion," he said.
"It is probably the only time I get tears of joy. It is an unreal feeling."
We have had a glimpse at all that hard work over the years, though. The Otago Daily Times has been following his career since he was a pint-sized 13-year-old punching well above his weight in the boxing ring.
His first love was wrestling, but he achieved some good success in amateur boxing, winning national titles and going on to represent New Zealand at the Youth Olympics in Argentina in 2018.
He fell out of love with boxing and made the move to MMA which suits him a lot more.
He made his debut in late 2021 and has strung together a record of 12 wins in 12 fights.
The last five were at the IMMAF World Championships and they still feel like a dream for the 21-year-old apprentice carpenter.
"It is kind of a surreal feeling."
Murdoch defeated Irish competitor Ronan Deegan by unanimous decision in an impressive opening fight.
He dispatched German Mert Basbudak by submission in the round of 16.
The quarterfinal match-up against Frenchman Mazri Ammar was more evenly matched, according to the officials. Murdoch won a split decision but he thought he was being robbed.
"To be honest, when I heard split decision I thought I’m going to get ripped off here and he’s going to get the decision."
In the semifinal he was up against Belgium’s Stiven Shehu who had a strong background in kickboxing. But the New Zealander controlled the bout to win by another unanimous decision.
The final was a tactical bout and Murdoch had the edge. He stayed out of harm’s way and collected points in another impressive fight.
So what is next?
He is quite keen to return and defend his title. He would like to build up his experience and then turn professional.
That is the new dream.
"Even just going to the tournament was awesome. Five fights in five days — to me that was like a dream.
"Most people will train for eight weeks for one fight and you are at your peak like that. But I got to do that but had five fights."
