Four years ago, an 18-year-old Arshia Ebadi put the Kiwi combat scene on notice by becoming the youngest King in the Ring champion in the iconic tournament's history, blitzing the field to clinch the 68kg title.
Thirteen months later, his semi-final duel in the 75kg division with the reverred Blood Diamond rose to instant classic status, which - despite the result – caused his stock to spike even further.
This weekend, 'Two Times' will make his long-awaited return in an unfamiliar role as one of the most experienced competitors among a strong field of 83kg combatants set to do battle in the latest edition of Aotearoa's favourite kumite.
Given his previous exploits and his regional success since - including WKN and ICO titles – there's no chance the King's Academy product will be flying under anybody's radars this time around. With 33 wins in his last 39 bouts through the past three years, that undeniable early potential is gradually being realised.
Now 23 years old, Ebadi still has all of the trademark brashness and bravado he exhibited as a plucky teen but with the inherent benefits that come with a few more years of age and wisdom, which he believes makes him a far more dangerous proposition this time around.
"That was a kid," Ebadi told Newshub, referring to his first King in the Ring tilts.
"I'm stronger than ever, healthier than ever. I've got way more experience compared to then."
Ebadi is part of an impressive field which also features defending champion Sam Parkes, City Kickboxing prospect Raam Didumo, vastly experienced veteran Diego Benduzzi, and national champions Jack McCowatt, Alex Richings, and Dion Wilson.
Each will vye for the oversized novelty winner's cheque of $10,000, but more importantly, the prestige that comes with putting their name alongside some of the most famous in Kiwi combat lore, who have used the event as a platform to launch their careers into a stratosphere far beyond humble NZ shores.
And if joining such luminaries as two-time winners wasn't enough motivation, Ebadi will have two divine sources of inspiration alongside him when he enters the Eventfinda Stadium ring this weekend.
Ebadi has lost two close friends over the past year in legendary trainer Chris Martin and King's Academy teammate Kayse Jama.
Both, he says, have made immense contributions to his cause as a fighter, particularly Martin, who died suddenly of a heart attack in August at just 59 years old.
Martin boasted decades of experience in the corners of some of New Zealand's most famed boxing exports – most notably heavyweights David Tua and Jospeh Parker.
Ebadi took full advantage of that wealth of wisdom to refine his own craft and is determined to do his mentor proud this weekend.
"That man was so special," said Ebadi. "For him to come to us, work with us, put his own time for nobodies like us was incredible.
"He came and helped us, gave us his time to help us build and make careers out of us. When he could just go work with the best, he came and worked with us. That man is so special.
"Half of my success, I owe it to him. He made my hands so crispy. He had a lot of impact with my skill, but mentally too.
"Winning King in the Ring for them would mean everything to me. That's all I've been thinking about. I know they're going to be sending messages in my head while I'm fighting."
On its own, Ebadi's presence on the card is worth the price of admission, purely on entertainment value alone.
His crowd-pleasing combines dizzying quickness with a flamboyance reminiscent of a Prince Naseem Hamed – dropping his hands and daring opponents to attack, then punishing them on the counter with any variety of shots from an extensive arsenal.
The son of Iranian immigrants who came to New Zealand when he was just two years old, Ebadi spent his formative years on the football field – an almost unavoidable fate given his heritage. After his dad identified a weakness in his lack of strength on the pitch, he was ushered along to a gym to start building his frame.
That's where Ebadi donned the gloves for the first time, showing a natural affinity in particular – for obvious reasons – the kicking department.
His coach threw him in the ring for a fight. Ebadi won handily. 10 straight victories later, he turned his back on his promise as a club footballer to give kickboxing his undivided attention.
He's since embraced the grueling and often lonely lifestyle of a professional fighter, as well as the unique life lessons that come with it.
Ebadi has spent his formative years in the ring, endless hours hitting bags, sparring, cutting weight - growing as a human as well as a kickboxer and learning the unique and unforgiving lessons of life as a fighter.
"Sometimes I ask myself - Why did I choose this sport. It's the hardest sport in the world. Eating wise, training wise mentally wise. There are so many factors other than just punching people in the face.
"But it makes you into a good human being. It gives you discipline. It gives you good principles in your life."
The next goal for Ebadi is to translate that level of commitment into one more King in the Ring title, which he intends to use as a springboard for a fully fledged transition to MMA in 2024.
MMA offers a multitude more opportunities for fighters to earn a fulltime living, as well as a much brighter spotlight to showcase their hard-earned skills.
He's already begun taking steps down that well-trodden path of Kiwi kickboxing converts, and - as you'd expect from the uber-confident Ebadi – his sights are already set at the sport's pinnacle.
"People will be surprised seeing me roll [as a grappler] and seeing what I can do," he said with a grin.
"But I haven't really taken it that seriously. We'll get this King in the Ring out the way and then we'll see what happens from there.
"But I'm confident enough to say, next year, you will see me in the Octagon for sure."
But first and foremost – it's all about capturing that sophomore King in the Ring crown under the watchful eye of two close mates from above.
"I'm just doing what I can to manifest this... visualising those two belts on each shoulder.
"I know if I just envision myself doing what I want to do, It will come to life."
