New Zealand's iconic King in the Ring combat showcase returns this weekend with an innovative new twist for a charitable cause.
Saturday's event includes the promotion's trademark eight-man elimination tournament, where City Kickboxing's Cam Rowston will try to claim a title in a second weight division, after taking home the cruiserweight belt last year.
But it's the event's feature fights that have the potential to steal the show at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium, with the introduction of the 'Arsenal' format.
Four of the fights on the card will take place with different combat rules for each of the three rounds.
In the 'Arsenal X' class, an opening round of boxing then shifts to K1 rules for the second, which allow for clinching, elbow and knee strikes, before a third and final round under standard Muay Thai rules.
The 'Arsenal Xtreme' format goes one step further, starting with K1, moving into Muay Thai, the finishing with a round of mixed martial arts.
The concept's namesake pays tribute to King in the Ring veteran and former NZ kickboxing champion Pati 'Arsenal' Afoa, who died of Motor Neuron Disease - a rare degenerative condition that affects the brain and nerves - in late 2021.
Making his debut in 2014, Afoa made four appearances at the tournament and was partly responsible for one of the most enduring moments in the event's history, with his heated square-off with now UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the final of the 86kg competition back in 2015.
After a three-year battle with the disease, Afoa passed away at just 43 years old, leaving behind his twin daughters.
With June being MND Action month, a portion of each ticket sold will be donated towards Motor Neuron Disease NZ, a charity organisation established to support people living with the condition.
"Pati was a warrior in the ring, but also in the way he faced his diagnosis with courage and kept fighting until his very last breath," said King in the Ring promoter Jason Suttie.
"It's Motor Neuron Disease Action Month, so it's fitting we remember Pati this way and raise awareness."
One of the fighters competing under the new ruleset will be two-time champion Navajo Stirling, who'll face Korean Harry King under the 'Arsenal X' banner.
Stirling said the new formats are a fitting way to pay tribute to Afoa.
"In many ways the rules reflect the progressive nature of MND becoming harder and harder as the bout progresses," he noted.
"It's an exciting format, but more importantly a way we can honour Pati's memory and draw attention to the cause."
Throwing down in the fully fledged 'Arsenal Xtreme' category will be Shane Willis against Raam Didumo, while South Island Lee Gar's Sione Cody takes on Pong Chau.
In the women's feature fight, Michaela Jenkins locks horns with Aucklander Macca Jean.
