The landscape of European combat sports shifted on Saturday, 31st January 2026, as the Gianpula Main Room at Gianpula Village transformed from a nightlife mecca into a colosseum of elite martial arts. Rage Kombat: Uprising didn’t just deliver a night of fights; it delivered a cultural phenomenon. For the first time in history, this iconic venue hosted a combat sports event, and with a live broadcast beaming across the USA and Canada, the world was watching!
With a star-studded lineup including host Ali Storm, Love Island winner and celebrity ring girl Evey, and the legendary DJ Jack Eye Jones, the atmosphere was electric long before the first glove touched a face at 7 PM.
Part 1: Rage Kontender – The Future is Now
The night kicked off with the “Rage Kontender” series, a platform designed to identify the next generation of combat stars. These amateur bouts carried professional-level intensity, with fighters knowing that an impressive performance could secure them a permanent spot on future main cards.
The opening bout saw Julian Attard (Malta) face off against Daniel Saraniti (Italy) in a K1 Kickboxing clash. Attard utilized superior movement and local support to outwork Saraniti over three rounds, securing a definitive points victory.
The technicality continued as Natalia Selecka (Slovakia) silenced the local crowd with a masterclass in distance management against Analise Farrugia (Malta). Despite Farrugia’s heart, Selecka’s precision earned her the points win.
One of the most intriguing matchups of the undercard was the “Fusion Fight” between Nikita Mazurchevici (Moldova) representing the discipline of Kudo and Christian Monti (Italy) representing the style of Kickboxing. Mazurchevici’s hybrid style proved difficult to read, leading to a points victory for the Moldovan. Closing out the Kontender segment, Mark Uracs (Serbia) showcased the “Art of Eight Limbs” in a Muay Thai bout against Giovanni Macca (Italy), winning on points in a grueling clinch-and-throw encounter. This bout brought the crowd to its feet and helped announce Uracs as one to keep an eye on.
Part 2: The Halftime Show – Ibiza Meets the Ring
Rage Kombat has built a reputation for its “Festival of Combat” atmosphere, previously featuring Samba bands and rock stars. However, for the Gianpula debut, they raised the bar. As the lights dimmed after the amateur bouts, the stage was taken by Jack Eye Jones.
The Ibiza legend turned the Gianpula Main Room back into its natural state—a high-energy dance floor. His halftime DJ set was a masterstroke of programming, bridging the gap between the raw intensity of the fights and the glamorous entertainment expected of a global broadcast. With Ali Storm keeping the energy high and Evey commanding the ring, the transition into the main event felt like a championship celebration in itself.
Part 3: Uprising – The Main Event
The air in the Gianpula Main Room thickened as the professional athletes took to the stage. The “Uprising” portion of the night featured a diverse mix of disciplines, showcasing the true versatility of the Rage Kombat promotion.
The Grappling Revolution
The main card opened with BJJ & Judo practitioner Alec Grech (Malta) facing Free-Style Wrestler Luke Bugeja (Malta) in another ”FUSION FIGHT” – this time under Submission Grappling rules. In a display of high-level transitions, Grech eventually found the opening he needed, forcing the tap-out for a submission victory.
However, the grappling highlight was undoubtedly the European Grappling Title fight. Lucas Sidhu (Belgium), the unbeaten defending champion, stepped into the ring for his first title defense against local hero Ruud Chircop (Malta). It was a tactical chess match that went the distance. In a massive upset that sent the Gianpula crowd into a frenzy, Chircop was awarded the decision victory, dethroning Sidhu and keeping the European Title on Maltese soil.
MMA Wars
The transition to MMA bouts saw Andrew Grech (Malta) deliver the most dramatic stoppage of the night. Facing the formidable Kudo fighter Maxo Karitchashuili (Georgia), Grech refused to let the fight go to the judges, securing a ground-and-pound stoppage with only two seconds left on the clock. His stoppage, and wild celebrations that followed, generated rapturous cheering from the large crowd – a scene that has since gone viral.
The momentum for the local fighters hit a speed bump when Jaid Agius (Malta) took on Dario Di Falco (Italy). In a back-and-forth war of attrition, Di Falco’s striking accuracy proved to be the difference-maker, earning him a hard-fought points victory over the resilient Agius.
Striking Excellence and Championship Titles
The K1 Kickboxing segment of the main card began with a clash of styles between Emma Xuereb (Malta) and Reyes Prieto (Spain). Xuereb’s volume and aggression were too much for Prieto, resulting in a points victory for the Maltese star. Following this, Kevin Argelier (France) provided the knockout of the night, finishing Angelo Fiamingo (Italy) with a devastating KO in round one that demonstrated the sheer power and precision of the French fighter.
Then came the first of the night’s major striking titles. Borko Stanojcic (Serbia) faced Badr Ghazi (Italy) for the Rage Kombat vacant K1 Kickboxing World Title. This was a tactical masterclass from Stanojcic, who used his reach and timing to neutralize Ghazi’s explosive power. After three rounds of high-octane action, Stanojcic was crowned the new K1 Kickboxing Champion via points victory.
The Grand Finale: Muay Thai Glory
The final fight of the evening was for the vacant Rage Kombat Muay Thai World Title. Ahweafa Garenne (Malta/France), one of the most exciting prospects in the sport, faced Vasilena Todorova (Bulgaria).
Garenne, fueled by a large number of supporters in the crowd, was relentless. Her elbows and knees found their mark early, wearing down the tough Bulgarian challenger. As round one drew to a close, Todorova decided enough was enough and didn’t want to come out for the second round – which resulted in the fight being awarded to Garenne as a TKO victory. As the new Muay Thai Champion, Garenne’s victory served as the perfect closing chapter to a historic night.
A New Era for Combat Sports
Rage Kombat: Uprising was more than just a series of fights; it was a statement of intent. By combining world-class MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Grappling with the film and lighting production value of a major music festival, Rage Kombat has carved out a unique niche in the industry.
The success of the Gianpula debut and the live US broadcast ensures that the “Uprising” is only the beginning. As the fans filed out into the Maltese night, the conversation wasn’t just about who won or lost—it was about when Rage Kombat would be coming back.
History was made on January 31st. The bar for combat sports entertainment has officially been raised.